Phytoestrogenes in menopause: working mechanisms and clinical results in 28 patients

Česká verzia

Authors: V. Bičíková ¹; L. Sosvorová ²; O. Bradáč ³; M. Pán ¹; M. Bičíková ²
Authors place of work: Gynekologicko-porodnické oddělení, Oblastní nemocnice, Mladá Boleslav, primář MUDr. M. Pán ¹; Endokrinologický ústav, Praha ²; Neurochirurgická klinika 1. LF UK, ÚVN a IPVZ, Praha ³
Published in the journal: Ceska Gynekol 2012; 77(1): 10-14
Category: Original Article

Summary

Objective:
Comparison of phytoestrogen treatment efficacy in menopausal women with and without ability to metabolise phytoestrogens.

Design:
Clinical trial.

Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Regional Hospital, Mlada Boleslav.

Methods:
28 menopausal women were treated with phytoestrogens in dose 80 mg daily. Before start and after finishing of treatment urinary concentrations of active metabolite S-equol were measured using ELISA method. Similarly before and after treatment Kupperman’s index was measured. Patients with urinary concentrations of S-equol above 1 ng/ml were considered as S-equol producers, remaining patients formed control group.

Results:
16 out of 28 women were considered as S-equol producers, remainig 12 as a non-producers. Initial urinary concentrations of S-equol were 0.34 ± 0.37 ng/ml in producers group and 0.29 ± 0.30 ng/ml in non-producers. After finishing of therapy urinary concentration of S-equol increased to 10.67 ± 11.57 ng/ml (p = 0.002) in producers group and 0.34 ± 0.30 ng /ml (p = 0.701) in non-producers. Kupperman’s index values were 23.44 ± 11.57 in producers group and 17.25 ± 7.78 in non-producers. After therapy value of Kupperman’s index decreased to 14.44 ± 9.97 (p = 0.003) in producers and to 12.00 ± 7.18 (p = 0.100) in non-producers. No correlation between improvement in Kupperman’s index and urinary concentration of S-equol after therapy was found similarly as between urinary concentration of S-equol before and after therapy in producents group.

Conclusion:
Significant phytoestrogen treatment effect in menopausal women producing S-equol was proven. Testing method for S-equol production introduced by our team togehter with suggested threshold urine concentration level of 1 ng/ml allows precise distinction of producers and non-producers of S-equol and subsequently to predict better treatment effect of phytoestrogens.

Key words:
phytoestrogens, equol, menopause, clinical trial.

Zdroje

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