Institute for Food Toxicology, Senate Commission on Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Hannover, Germany.
Department of Experimental Diabetology, German Institute of Human Nutrition (DIfE), Nuthetal, Germany.
Arch Toxicol. 2018 Sep;92(9):2703-2748. doi: 10.1007/s00204-018-2279-8. Epub 2018 Aug 21.
Isoflavones are secondary plant constituents of certain foods and feeds such as soy, linseeds, and red clover. Furthermore, isoflavone-containing preparations are marketed as food supplements and so-called dietary food for special medical purposes to alleviate health complaints of peri- and postmenopausal women. Based on the bioactivity of isoflavones, especially their hormonal properties, there is an ongoing discussion regarding their potential adverse effects on human health. This review evaluates and summarises the evidence from interventional and observational studies addressing potential unintended effects of isoflavones on the female breast in healthy women as well as in breast cancer patients and on the thyroid hormone system. In addition, evidence from animal and in vitro studies considered relevant in this context was taken into account along with their strengths and limitations. Key factors influencing the biological effects of isoflavones, e.g., bioavailability, plasma and tissue concentrations, metabolism, temporality (pre- vs. postmenopausal women), and duration of isoflavone exposure, were also addressed. Final conclusions on the safety of isoflavones are guided by the aim of precautionary consumer protection.
异黄酮是某些食物和饲料（如大豆、亚麻籽和红三叶草）中的次生植物成分。此外，含有异黄酮的制剂被作为食品补充剂和所谓的特殊医用食品销售，以缓解围绝经期和绝经后妇女的健康问题。基于异黄酮的生物活性，特别是其激素特性，人们一直在讨论它们对人类健康的潜在不良影响。本综述评估并总结了干预性和观察性研究的证据，这些研究涉及异黄酮对健康女性以及乳腺癌患者的乳房和甲状腺激素系统的潜在意外作用。此外，还考虑了动物和体外研究的证据，以及它们的优缺点，这些证据在这方面被认为是相关的。影响异黄酮生物学效应的关键因素，如生物利用度、血浆和组织浓度、代谢、时间性（绝经前与绝经后妇女）以及异黄酮暴露的持续时间，也得到了探讨。关于异黄酮安全性的最终结论以预防性消费者保护为指导。
