Wiseman H
Nutrition, Food and Health Research Centre, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, King's College London, Franklin-Wilkins Building, 150 Stamford Street, London SE1 8WA, UK.
Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2000 Aug;9(8):1829-40. doi: 10.1517/13543784.9.8.1829.
Phytoestrogens, such as the soya isoflavones genistein and daidzein, are currently being extensively investigated through both molecular, preclinical and clinical studies to determine their potential health benefits. Phytoestrogens may protect against chronic diseases such as hormone-dependent cancer (e.g., breast and prostate cancer), cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Investigations of phytoestrogen metabolism and bioavailability are also of great relevance. Conversion by gut microflora of daizein to its isoflavan metabolite equol, which is a more potent oestrogen and anti-oxidant, occurs only in some individuals (about 35% of subjects tested are equol excretors). This has considerable implications for daidzein bioavailability and also for cancer risk. Oxidative damage has been implicated in the development of heart disease and cancer and soya phytoestrogens have been reported to decrease plasma F(2)-isoprostane concentrations (biomarker for in vivo lipid peroxidation) and increase low density lipoprotein oxidation resistance. This anti-oxidant action of phytoestrogens could potentially contribute to their therapeutic efficacy. The findings from the current ongoing studies are all likely to contribute to determining the potential use of phytoestrogens as therapeutic agents.
植物雌激素，如大豆异黄酮染料木黄酮和大豆苷元，目前正通过分子、临床前和临床研究进行广泛调查，以确定它们潜在的健康益处。植物雌激素可能预防诸如激素依赖性癌症（如乳腺癌和前列腺癌）、心血管疾病和骨质疏松症等慢性疾病。对植物雌激素代谢和生物利用度的研究也具有重要意义。大豆苷元经肠道微生物群转化为其异黄酮代谢产物雌马酚，雌马酚是一种更强效的雌激素和抗氧化剂，但仅在部分个体中发生（约35%的受试对象是雌马酚排泄者）。这对大豆苷元的生物利用度以及癌症风险都有相当大的影响。氧化损伤与心脏病和癌症的发生有关，据报道大豆植物雌激素可降低血浆F(2)-异前列腺素浓度（体内脂质过氧化的生物标志物）并增加低密度脂蛋白抗氧化能力。植物雌激素的这种抗氧化作用可能有助于其治疗效果。目前正在进行的研究结果都可能有助于确定植物雌激素作为治疗剂的潜在用途。
