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Effects of rice starch-isoflavone diet or potato starch-isoflavone diet on plasma isoflavone, plasma lipids, cecal enzyme activity, and composition of fecal microflora in adult mice.

The effects of rice starch-isoflavone diet or potato starch-isoflavone diet on plasma concentration of isoflavones, plasma lipids, cecal enzyme activity, and intestinal microflora were studied. Male 15-wk-old mice were fed a rice-starch-based or potato-starch-based diet supplemented with isoflavones for 4 wk, and plasma samples, cecal contents, and feces were collected individually. Plasma equol concentration was significantly higher in the potato-isoflavone diet group than in the rice-isoflavone diet group, but no significant difference was observed in plasma daidzein or genistein concentrations. Plasma total cholesterol concentration was higher in the potato-isoflavone diet group, but no significant difference was observed in plasma triglyceride concentration. Both cecal beta-glucuronidase and beta-glucosidase activities were significantly higher in the rice-isoflavone diet group. The number of bifidobacteria was significantly higher in the potato-isoflavone diet group. These results indicate that different types of starches have different influences on plasma isoflavone and suggest that the influences might be through the change of host physiology and/or the metabolism and composition of intestinal microflora.

Animals↗

Establishment of an isoflavone database for usual Korean foods and evaluation of isoflavone intake among Korean children.

Asian populations including Koreans are assumed to have a higher isoflavone intake due to the higher consumption of soybean. However, it is difficult to estimate isoflavone intake because there is no isoflavone database in Korea. In this study, an isoflavone database was established with systematic review. Literature with analytical values of Korean soybeans and its products were collected and evaluated to establish an isoflavone database. A total of 142 food items containing isoflavones were selected among 2,932 food items in the Korean Nutrient Database. Among these, only 25 food items were evaluated with analytical values and the remaining 98 items were replaced with adaptations or calculations from similar items. Dietary intake of isoflavones was assessed for 426 boys and 365 girls aged 8 to 11 years with 3-day food records. The daily mean isoflavone intake was 8.3 mg among boys and 7.2 mg among girls. More than 70% of subjects had a daily isoflavone intake below 10 mg. The most contributory food item to the isoflavone intake among adolescents was tofu in quantity and soybean sauce in frequency. This database could be used to estimate isoflavone intakes from dietary data among various populations and to evaluate the relationships between isoflavone intake and chronic disease.

Child↗

Variations in isoflavone levels in soy foods and soy protein isolates and issues related to isoflavone databases and food labeling.

The reliability of databases on the isoflavone composition of foods designed to estimate dietary intakes is contingent on the assumption that soy foods are consistent in their isoflavone content. To validate this, total and individual isoflavone compositions were determined by HPLC for two different soy protein isolates used in the commercial manufacture of soy foods over a 3-year period (n = 30/isolate) and 85 samples of 40 different brands of soy milks. Total isoflavone concentrations differed markedly between the soy protein isolates, varying by 200-300% over 3 years, whereas the protein content varied by only 3%. Total isoflavone content varied by up to 5-fold among different commercial soy milks and was not consistent between repeat purchases. Whole soybean milks had significantly higher isoflavone levels than those made from soy protein isolates (mean +/- SD, 63.6 +/- 21.9 mg/L, n = 43, vs 30.2 +/- 5.8 mg/L, n = 38, respectively, p < 0.0001), although some isolated soy protein-based milks were similar in content to "whole bean" varieties. The ratio of genistein to daidzein isoflavone forms was higher in isolated soy protein-based versus "whole bean" soy milks (2.72 +/- 0.24 vs 1.62 +/- 0.47, respectively, p < 0.0001), and the greatest variability in isoflavone content was observed among brands of whole bean soy milks. These studies illustrate large variability in the isoflavone content of isolated soy proteins used in food manufacture and in commercial soy milks and reinforce the need to accurately determine the isoflavone content of foods used in dietary intervention studies while exposing the limitations of food databases for estimating daily isoflavone intakes.

Beverages↗

Bioavailability of pure isoflavones in healthy humans and analysis of commercial soy isoflavone supplements.

The pharmacokinetic behavior of naturally occurring isoflavones has been determined for the first time in healthy adults. We compared plasma kinetics of pure daidzein, genistein and their beta-glycosides administered as a single-bolus dose to 19 healthy women. This study demonstrates differences in the pharmacokinetics of isoflavone glycosides compared with their respective beta-glycosides. Although all isoflavones are efficiently absorbed from the intestinal tract, there are striking differences in the fate of aglycones and beta-glycosides. Mean time to attain peak plasma concentrations (t(max)) for the aglycones genistein and daidzein was 5.2 and 6.6 h, respectively, whereas for the corresponding beta-glycosides, the t(max) was delayed to 9.3 and 9.0 h, respectively, consistent with the residence time needed for hydrolytic cleavage of the glycoside moiety for bioavailability. The apparent volume of distribution of isoflavones confirms extensive tissue distribution after absorption. Plasma genistein concentrations are consistently higher than daidzein when equal amounts of the two isoflavones are administered, and this is accounted for by the more extensive distribution of daidzein (236 L) compared with genistein (161 L). The systemic bioavailability of genistein [mean AUC = 4.54 microg/(mL x h)] is much greater than that of daidzein [mean AUC = 2.94 microg/(mL x h)], and bioavailability of these isoflavones is greater when ingested as beta-glycosides rather than aglycones as measured from the area under the curve of the plasma appearance and disappearance concentrations. The pharmacokinetics of methoxylated isoflavones show distinct differences depending on the position of the methoxyl group in the molecule. Glycitin, found in two phytoestrogen supplements, underwent hydrolysis of the beta-glycoside moiety and little further biotransformation, leading to high plasma glycitein concentrations. Biochanin A and formononetin, two isoflavones found in one phytoestrogen supplement, were rapidly and efficiently demethylated, resulting in high plasma genistein and daidzein concentrations typically observed after the ingestion of soy-containing foods. These differences in pharmacokinetics and metabolism have implications for clinical studies because it cannot be assumed that all isoflavones are comparable in their pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. An analysis of 33 phytoestrogen supplements and extracts revealed considerable differences in the isoflavone content from that claimed by the manufacturers. Plasma concentrations of isoflavones show marked qualitative and quantitative differences depending on the type of supplement ingested. These studies indicate a need for improvement in quality assurance and standardization of such products.

Adult↗

Does genotype and equol-production status affect response to isoflavones? Data from a pan-European study on the effects of isoflavones on cardiovascular risk markers in post-menopausal women.

The increase in CVD incidence following the menopause is associated with oestrogen loss. Dietary isoflavones are thought to be cardioprotective via their oestrogenic and oestrogen receptor-independent effects, but evidence to support this role is scarce. Individual variation in response to diet may be considerable and can obscure potential beneficial effects in a sample population; in particular, the response to isoflavone treatment may vary according to genotype and equol-production status. The effects of isoflavone supplementation (50 mg/d) on a range of established and novel biomarkers of CVD, including markers of lipid and glucose metabolism and inflammatory biomarkers, have been investigated in a placebo-controlled 2 x 8-week randomised cross-over study in 117 healthy post-menopausal women. Responsiveness to isoflavone supplementation according to (1) single nucleotide polymorphisms in a range of key CVD genes, including oestrogen receptor (ER) alpha and beta and (2) equol-production status has been examined. Isoflavones supplementation was found to have no effect on markers of lipids and glucose metabolism. Isoflavones improve C-reactive protein concentrations but do not affect other plasma inflammatory markers. There are no differences in response to isoflavones according to equol-production status. However, differences in HDL-cholesterol and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 response to isoflavones v. placebo are evident with specific ERbeta genotypes. In conclusion, isoflavones have beneficial effects on C-reactive protein, but not other cardiovascular risk markers. However, specific ERbeta gene polymorphic subgroups may benefit from isoflavone supplementation.

Biomarkers↗

Urinary disposition of the soybean isoflavones daidzein, genistein and glycitein differs among humans with moderate fecal isoflavone degradation activity.

Glycitein metabolism was compared with other isoflavones to begin to understand the effect of this compound. Total isoflavones of 4.5 micromol/kg body weight from soymilk (high in genistein and daidzein) and soygerm (high in daidzein and glycitein) was fed to seven women and seven men. To minimize interindividual variation, only subjects with moderate fecal isoflavone degradation rates (half-lives of daidzein and genistein were 15.7 and 8.9 h, respectively) were included. The average 48-h urinary excretion of glycitein, daidzein and genistein was approximately 55, 46 and 29% of the dose ingested, respectively, which was significantly different from each other in men and women (P < 0.001). Plasma isoflavone concentrations at 6 and 24 h after soymilk feeding paralleled relative amounts of isoflavones in soymilk (genistein > daidzein > glycitein) (P < 0.05) in men and women, but plasma isoflavone concentrations after soygerm feeding did not parallel soygerm isoflavone concentrations in women because genistein and glycitein did not differ from each other at 6 h after feeding. Six hours after soygerm dosing, plasma isoflavone concentrations paralleled soygerm isoflavone levels in men. Based on plasma isoflavone concentrations at 6 h after dosing, the bioavailabilities of daidzein and genistein were similar in men and women. At the high glycitein dose (soygerm), plasma concentration at 24 h after dosing suggested a modest gender difference in glycitein bioavailability.

Adult↗

Dietary soy and soy isoflavones have gender-specific effects on plasma lipids and isoflavones in golden Syrian f(1)b hybrid hamsters.

The specific components of soy responsible for its beneficial effects on plasma lipids are unknown. Golden Syrian F(1)B Hybrid hamsters (75 male, 74 female) were evaluated for the effect of dietary soy and soy isoflavones on plasma lipids. They were fed the following diets for 16 wk: casein/lactalbumin (C/L), soy protein with isoflavones [Soy(+)], soy protein with isoflavones removed [Soy(-)], Soy(-) plus isoflavone extract (IF), and C/L + IF. At necropsy, plasma total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol (HDLC), LDL + VLDL cholesterol (LDL + VLDLC), isoflavones, and uterine and accessory gland weights were measured. Male hamsters fed the three soy-containing diets had lower LDL + VLDLC concentrations than those fed the two C/L diets (P < 0.01), and those fed Soy(-) + IF did not differ from those fed Soy(+). In females, diet did not affect plasma LDL + VLDLC concentration. Females fed Soy(+) or Soy(-) had higher HDLC (P < 0.05) than those fed C/L. HDLC was not affected by diet in males. Due to higher equol production (P < 0.01), males had greater plasma isoflavone concentrations (P < 0.01) than females. There was a positive association between plasma total isoflavones and LDL + VLDLC (r = 0.65, P < 0.05) in females. These data suggest gender differences in plasma lipid and isoflavone responses to soy- based diets in Syrian F(1)B Hybrid hamsters, which offer an opportunity to explore effects of sex hormones on isoflavone metabolism and the effects of isoflavones on lipid metabolism.

Animals↗

Isoflavones with supplemental calcium provide greater protection against the loss of bone mass and strength after ovariectomy compared to isoflavones alone.

Although hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and calcium (Ca) supplementation preserve bone mass more when combined, there is a growing concern over the safety of HRT that necessitates thorough investigation of effective, alternative treatments for bone loss. While plant-derived estrogen-like compounds such as isoflavones preserve bone, it is not known whether isoflavones and Ca supplementation attenuate losses in bone mass and strength to a greater extent when combined. This study compared the effects of an isoflavone extract + high Ca to isoflavone extract or high Ca alone on preservation of bone mineral density (BMD) and biomechanical strength in ovariectomized (ovx) rats. Rats were sham-operated (n = 10) or ovx (n = 40). Shams were fed a 0.2% Ca diet. Ovx rats were randomized to a 0.2% Ca diet alone (OVX) or with isoflavone extract (IE; 1.6 g/kg diet) or to a high Ca diet (Ca; 2.5%) alone or a high Ca diet with the isoflavone extract (IE + Ca) for 8 weeks. BMD of femur and lumbar spine were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The biomechanical strength of femurs and individual vertebra was measured by three-point bending and compression testing, respectively. The average food intake was lowest (P < 0.05) among sham and IE groups and greatest (P < 0.05) among the OVX group. Final body weight was lowest (P < 0.05) among shams and highest (P < 0.05) among the OVX group while IE + Ca were lighter (P < 0.05) than all ovx groups. Femur and vertebra BMD was greater (P < 0.05) among IE + Ca and sham rats compared to IE, Ca, or OVX rats. Although there were differences in femur BMD among groups, biomechanical properties at the femur midpoint did not differ among groups, possibly due to the lack of cortical bone loss at this site. Conversely, vertebra biomechanical strength was greater (P < 0.05) among IE + Ca and Ca alone groups compared to IE alone. Uterine weight was higher (P < 0.05) among shams than OVX and IE with no difference among shams, Ca, or IE + Ca rats, suggesting that the isoflavones did not have an uterotrophic effect. In conclusion, isoflavones combined with high Ca are more protective against the loss of femur and vertebra BMD than isoflavones or high Ca diet alone.

Animals↗

Overnight urinary isoflavone excretion in a population of women living in the United States, and its relationship to isoflavone intake.

Dietary isoflavones are biologically active in humans, but few observational data exist on the relationship between isoflavone intake and excretion in Western populations. We examined associations between self-reported soy intakes and overnight urinary isoflavone excretion in a population-based sample of western Washington State women, and we investigated the usefulness of one versus two overnight urine samples, collected 48 h apart, as a biomarker of intake. Isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, O-desmethylangolensin, and equol) were measured in two overnight urine collections from 363 women recruited from a health maintenance organization. Soy food intakes were assessed using two 1-day diet records completed on each day prior to the urine collections and a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that had been completed by 312 of the women with regard to their dietary habits 3.5 years (range, 2-5 years) before the urine collections. Twenty-one percent of the women consumed soy on either day of the diet recall, and 13% and 34% of the women consumed soy at least once a week or at least once a month, respectively, according to the FFQ. Women who consumed soy at either of the two diet recalls or at the FFQ (at least once a week or at least once a month) had a significantly higher urinary excretion of isoflavones than women who did not consume soy (P < 0.01). Among women who consumed soy at either of the two diet recalls or at the FFQ (soy consumed at least once a month), isoflavone intake and excretion correlated significantly (P < 0.01). Excretion of the individual isoflavones correlated significantly between the two urine samples collected 48 h apart (genistein, r = 0.41 and P < 0.001; daidzein, r = 0.30 and P < 0.001; O-desmethylangolensin, r = 0.46 and P < 0.001; equol, r = 0.60 and P < 0.001). Differences between soy consumers and nonconsumers and associations between intakes and excretion remained significant whether one or both urine collections were considered. Measuring isoflavone excretion in one overnight urine collection serves as a biomarker of recent or past isoflavone intake, even in populations whose intake of soy foods is relatively low.

Adult↗

Plasma isoflavone levels versus self-reported soy isoflavone levels in Asian-American women in Los Angeles County.

In a case-control study conducted among Asian-American women in Los Angeles County, we reported that the risk of breast cancer was significantly reduced in association with soy intake [Wu,A.H., Wan,P., Hankin,J. et al. (2002) Carcinogenesis, 23, 1491-1496]. In a subset of cases (n = 97) and controls (n = 97) we investigated the relationship between self-reported usual adult intake of soy isoflavones which was determined from a food frequency questionnaire and levels of plasma isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) and isoflavone metabolites (equol, dihydrogenistein and dihydrodaidzein) from a randomly timed blood specimen. In analyses conducted in cases and controls separately, levels of plasma genistein, daidzein and total isoflavones increased with increasing levels of self-reported intake of soy isoflavones. Breast cancer cases and control subjects did not differ in their respective associations between total plasma isoflavone levels and self-reported intake (P = 0.48). Among all subjects, there was a 3-fold difference in geometric mean plasma levels of total isoflavones [81.8 (95% CI = 53.4, 125.1) versus 26.4 nmol/l (95% CI = 16.6, 41.8)] between women in the highest quartile of soy isoflavone intake (>12.68 mg isoflavones/1000 kcal) compared with those in the lowest quartile of intake (<or=1.79 mg isoflavones/1000 kcal), a difference that was statistically significant (P = 0.002). The present study provides independent corroboration that breast cancer cases and control subjects can reliably recall their usual soy intake and that there is no evidence of selective recall biases between breast cancer cases and controls. These results further strengthen our previous observation of an inverse association between soy intake and breast cancer risk in the Los Angeles Asian Breast Cancer Study.

Adult↗

The apparent absorptions of isoflavone glucosides and aglucons are similar in women and are increased by rapid gut transit time and low fecal isoflavone degradation.

We hypothesized that there would be no difference in apparent absorption, as assessed by urinary excretion, between isoflavone sources rich in glucosides or aglucons and that subjects with rapid gut transit time (GTT) and low fecal isoflavone degradation phenotype would absorb more isoflavones. Women (n = 13) with a fecal daidzein degradation rate constant, D(k) > 0.30 h(-1) (high degraders) and GTT of 106 +/- 11 h and women (n = 12) with D(k) < 0.20 h(-1) (low degraders) and GTT of 71 +/- 12 h were randomly assigned to 3 treatments: soygerm (1.1 micromol/kg body weight, n = 5 high degraders, 4 low degraders), fermented soygerm (3.3 micromol/kg, n = 4 high and 4 low degraders) or Novasoy isoflavone extract (1.5 micromol/kg, n = 4 high and 4 low degraders) for 7 d. By HPLC analysis, 24-h urinary excretion of soygerm was greater than Novasoy (51 +/- 6 vs. 26 +/- 6% of ingested dose, P < 0.05). Women of the low daidzein degradation phenotype had greater urinary isoflavone excretion than did women of the high daidzein degradation phenotype (51.6 +/- 4.8 vs. 33.8 +/- 4.7%, P < 0.05, mean of d1 and 7). The plasma total isoflavone level (estimated as a percentage of the ingested amount, mean of d 1 and 7) differed between women who consumed fermented soygerm and soygerm 3 h after feeding (1.8 +/- 0.3 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.3%, P < 0.05). Urinary excretions of aglucons and glucosides did not differ. The study confirmed that rapid GTT and low fecal isoflavone degradation rate increased the apparent absorption of isoflavones.

Administration, Oral↗

Identification and expression of isoflavone synthase, the key enzyme for biosynthesis of isoflavones in legumes.

Isoflavones have drawn much attention because of their benefits to human health. These compounds, which are produced almost exclusively in legumes, have natural roles in plant defense and root nodulation. Isoflavone synthase catalyzes the first committed step of isoflavone biosynthesis, a branch of the phenylpropanoid pathway. To identify the gene encoding this enzyme, we used a yeast expression assay to screen soybean ESTs encoding cytochrome P450 proteins. We identified two soybean genes encoding isoflavone synthase, and used them to isolate homologous genes from other leguminous species including red clover, white clover, hairy vetch, mung bean, alfalfa, lentil, snow pea, and lupine, as well as from the nonleguminous sugarbeet. We expressed soybean isoflavone synthase in Arabidopsis thaliana, which led to production of the isoflavone genistein in this nonlegume plant. Identification of the isoflavone synthase gene should allow manipulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway for agronomic and nutritional purposes.

Anthocyanins↗

Hydrolysis of isoflavone glycosides to aglycones by beta-glycosidase does not alter plasma and urine isoflavone pharmacokinetics in postmenopausal women.

We investigated whether the bioavailability of isoflavones could be enhanced by enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosides to aglycones before consumption of a nonfermented soy food. Two drinks were formulated with an enriched isoflavone extract from soy germ (Fujiflavone P10), one of which was hydrolyzed enzymatically with beta-glucosidase to produce aglycones. In a randomized, double-blinded, cross-over study, six European, postmenopausal women consumed each soy drink at a 1-wk interval at a concentration of 1 mg total isoflavones/kg body. The plasma and urinary pharmacokinetics of daidzein, genistein and glycitein did not differ after consumption of the two beverages. Plasma total isoflavone concentrations reached 4-5 micro mol/L. The pharmacokinetics of glycitein were similar to those of daidzein. The isoflavone secondary metabolites detected were dihydrodaidzein in plasma and O-desmethylangolensin, equol, and dihydrogenistein in urine. The ratios of individual isoflavones to one another were not conserved from food to plasma to urine, indicating that the individual isoflavones do not have the same absorptions and body retentions. In conclusion, previous hydrolysis of glycosides to aglycones does not enhance the bioavailability of isoflavones in humans.

Absorption↗

Investigation of the reliability of 24 h urine excretion as a biomarker of isoflavone exposure over time and over a wide range of isoflavone intakes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the variation in genistein + daidzein intake over a 6-month period and test the reliability of 24 h urinary isoflavones as a biomarker of exposure over time. DESIGN: Dietary genistein + daidzein intake was assessed at various time points throughout six months in 15 healthy subjects. Group 1 (n=8) followed nonsupplemented diets and Group 2 (n=7) took a 35 mg/d isoflavone supplement for 3 months and each subject provided a 24 h urine collection, validated with para-aminobenzoic acid, during weeks 7, 15 and 19. Urine was analysed for genistein and daidzein using LC-MS. RESULTS: Isoflavone intake in Groups 1 and 2 ranged from 0.00 to 1.1 mg/d and 0.1 to 53.1 mg/d, respectively. Urine excretion for both groups ranged from 0.20 to 9.56 mg/d. The relationship between 24 h excretion and isoflavone intake is y=0.44 x +/- 0.03(standard deviation) + 1.57; r=0.89, P<0.001. CONCLUSION: The 24 h urinary isoflavones can be used as biomarkers of isoflavone exposure over time.

Adult↗

Isoflavone-rich or isoflavone-poor soy protein does not reduce menopausal symptoms during 24 weeks of treatment.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the change in menopausal symptoms in response to 24 weeks of isoflavone-rich (80.4 mg/day) and isoflavone-poor (4.4 mg/day) soy protein isolate treatment in perimenopausal women. DESIGN: In this double-blind 24-week study, 69 women were randomized to treatment: isoflavone-rich soy protein (n = 24), isoflavone-poor soy protein (n = 24), or whey protein control (n = 21). A Menopausal Index was used to assess change in hot flushes and night sweats, as well as other symptoms, at baseline, week 12, and week 24. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated no treatment effect on change in hot flush (p = 0.18) and night sweat (p = 0.92) frequency, whereas there was a significant decline in hot flush (p = 0.0003) and night sweat (p = 0.0007) frequency with time in all treatment groups. Chi2 analyses indicated no treatment effect on severity of hot flushes or night sweats at any time point, as well as no treatment effect on frequency or severity of other vasomotor symptoms. At the completion of the study, we found no treatment effect on retrospective perception of frequency, duration, or severity of hot flushes or night sweats. Since time had a significant effect on symptoms with all groups reporting a decline in overall symptoms, this indicated either a placebo effect or simply an improvement in symptoms during the study. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found no evidence that isoflavone-rich or isoflavone-poor soy protein provided relief of vasomotor or of other menopausal symptoms.

Diet↗

Validity and reproducibility of a self-administered food-frequency questionnaire to assess isoflavone intake in a japanese population in comparison with dietary records and blood and urine isoflavones.

Valid food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ) need to be developed to assess isoflavone intake in investigations of its possible association with the lower incidence of breast and prostate cancer in Asian countries. We investigated the validity and reproducibility of isoflavone (daidzein and genistein) intakes from self-administered semiquantitative FFQ used in the JPHC Study (Japan Public Health Center-based Prospective Study on Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases). We also investigated the number of food items that would be sufficient to ensure validity and reproducibility. We collected FFQ, dietary records (DR), blood and urine samples from 215 subjects among JPHC Study participants, estimated isoflavone intakes from FFQ and DR, and measured serum isoflavone concentration and urine isoflavone excretion. For daidzein, mean intakes estimated from FFQ and DR, serum concentration and urine excretion were 18.3 mg/d, 14.5 mg/d, 119.9 nmol/L and 17.0 micromol/d and for genistein, 31.4 mg/d, 23.4 mg/d, 475.3 nmol/L and 14.2 micromol/d, respectively. Results were similar when analyzed by sex. Spearman correlation coefficients for daidzein of energy-adjusted intakes from FFQ with those from DR, serum concentration and creatinine-adjusted urinary excretion were 0.64, 0.31 and 0.43, respectively. Correlations between two FFQ estimates with a 1-y interval were 0.76. Results were similar for genistein. The shorter version of the FFQ with three items (natto, miso and tofu for miso soup) showed a similar correlation. The original FFQ and the shorter versions have sufficient validity and reproducibility to be used in epidemiologic studies.

Diet Records↗

New 6-O-acyl isoflavone glycosides from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis (natto). I. 6-O-succinylated isoflavone glycosides and their preventive effects on bone loss in ovariectomized rats fed a calcium-deficient diet.

Three new 6-O-acylated isoflavone glycosides were isolated from soybeans fermented with Bacillus subtilis (natto) and identified as daidzein 7-O-beta-(6''-O-succinyl)-D-glucoside (1), genistein 7-O-beta-(6''-O-succinyl)-D-glucoside (2), and glycitein 7-O-beta-(6''-O-succinyl)-D-glucoside (3) on the basis of spectral data and chemical transformations. During fermentation, the content of the isoflavone glycosides first decreased and then increased, whereas the corresponding 6''-O-succinyl derivatives first accumulated and then decreased, in either soybeans or soybean cooking solution. These changes suggest that enzymatic interconversion of isoflavone glycosides and the corresponding 6''-O-succinylated derivatives occurs in these media during fermentation. The 6-O-succinylated isoflavone glycosides 1, 2 and 3 accounted for 4.8, 7.2 and 0.6%, respectively, of the total isoflavones in commercial fermented soybeans (Japanese natto). Oral administration of 1 or 2 alone for 4 weeks at a dose of 50 mg/kg/d prevented bone loss in ovariectomized (ovx) rats fed a calcium-deficient diet, being as effective as the positive controls, daidzin and genistin, respectively. Compound 1 seems to be proestrogenic, like daidzin, which suppresses bone resorption to prevent bone loss after ovariectomy by directly acting on bone sites, while 2 appears to have a different mechanism of action, like that of genistin.

Animals↗

Analysis of isoflavone content in tempeh, a fermented soybean, and preparation of a new isoflavone-enriched tempeh.

To produce a tempeh-like functional food containing a high level of isoflavone with a high absorptivity, we analyzed changes in the composition of isoflavone during tempeh fermentation and the difference in isoflavone content depending on the soybean variety and particular tissue. By adding soybean germ (hypocotyl) that contained a large amount of isoflavone, we prepared a new isoflavone-enriched tempeh in the form of a granular fermented soybean-based food, which can serve as a nutritious supplement for the elderly.

Cell Culture Techniques↗