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Soy isoflavones reduce electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL−) and anti-LDL− autoantibodies in experimental atherosclerosis

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Abstract

Background

Isoflavones present in soybean may contribute to soy atheroprotectective effects.

Aim of the study

To investigate the effect of soy isoflavones supplementation on the formation of electronegative LDL (LDL−) and its autoantibodies in blood plasma and aortic atheromas of rabbits fed an atherogenic casein-based diet enriched with isoflavones.

Methods

New Zealand male rabbits (n = 15) were fed an atherogenic diet (27% casein) supplemented with isoflavones (0.73 or 7.3 mg of isoflavones/kg/day, Low and High Iso groups, respectively) for 180 days. Monthly, blood samples were collected after 12–15 h fasting and at 180 days of treatment all animals were sacrificed. Isoflavones were analyzed in plasma and urine samples by HPLC. LDL− in plasma and atheromas was detected by ELISA and immunohistochemistry, respectively, with a monoclonal antibody reactive to LDL−. Autoantibodies reactive to LDL− were analyzed in plasma and aorta by ELISA.

Results

Low and High Iso groups had decreased LDL-cholesterol, increased HDL-cholesterol and lower levels of LDL− in blood plasma and aortic atherosclerotic lesions than the non-supplemented Control group. IgG autoantibodies reactive to LDL− were higher in plasma of the Control group in comparison with the High and Low Iso groups. In contrast, the aortas from animals that consumed isoflavones showed higher levels of IgG reactive to LDL− than the Control group.

Conclusion

Soy isoflavones showed hypolipidemic effects and decreased the pro-inflammatory LDL− subfraction in blood plasma and aorta of hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by FAPESP (grant 97/05090 to D.S.P.A. and scholarship 97/09686-8 to N. R. T. D.) and PRONEX. The authors thank Cleiton Alves for technical assistance and Bunge Alimentos S/A for donation of soy isoflavones.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Nutrition, School of Public Health, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

    Nágila Raquel Teixeira Damasceno

  2. Dept. of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

    Elaine Apolinário, Fabiana Dias Flauzino & Dulcineia Saes Parra Abdalla

  3. Laboratory of Immunopathology, Butantan Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

    Irene Fernandes

  4. Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Depto. de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 580, 05508-900, São Paulo, SP, Brasil

    Dulcineia Saes Parra Abdalla

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  1. Nágila Raquel Teixeira Damasceno
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  2. Elaine Apolinário
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  3. Fabiana Dias Flauzino
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  5. Dulcineia Saes Parra Abdalla
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Correspondence to Dulcineia Saes Parra Abdalla.

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Teixeira Damasceno, N.R., Apolinário, E., Dias Flauzino, F. et al. Soy isoflavones reduce electronegative low-density lipoprotein (LDL−) and anti-LDL− autoantibodies in experimental atherosclerosis. Eur J Nutr 46, 125–132 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-006-0640-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-006-0640-9

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