Gastroenterology Unit, Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation (D.E.T.O.), University of Bari, Policlinic University Hospital, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy.
Nutrients. 2019 Jul 24;11(8):1709. doi: 10.3390/nu11081709.
Phytoestrogens are natural substances that have been extensively studied for their beneficial effect on human health. Herein, we analyzed the data of the literature on the role of phytoestrogens in the prevention of colorectal neoproliferative lesions (CNL). Both in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that the beneficial effects of phytoestrogens on CNL mainly depend on their ability to bind estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) in the intestinal mucosa and counter ER-alpha (ERα) activity. Epidemiological data demonstrate a correlation between the low prevalence of CNL in Eastern populations and the consumption of soy products (phytoestrogen-enriched diet). However, both observational and interventional studies have produced inconclusive results. In our opinion, these discrepancies depend on an inadequate evaluation of phytoestrogen intake (dietary questionnaires were not aimed at establishing phytoestrogen intake) and absorption (depending mainly on the intestinal microbiota of the analyzed subjects). For this reason, in the present review, we performed an overview of phytoestrogen dietary intake and metabolism to offer the reader the opportunity for a better interpretation of the literature. Future prospective trials focusing on the protective effect of phytoestrogens against CNL should take into account both their dietary intake and absorption, considering the effective role of the intestinal microbiota.
植物雌激素是一种天然物质，其对人类健康的有益作用已经得到了广泛的研究。在此，我们分析了关于植物雌激素在预防结直肠新生物病变（CNL）中的作用的文献数据。体外和体内研究都表明，植物雌激素对 CNL 的有益作用主要取决于其在肠黏膜中结合雌激素受体β（ERβ）并拮抗 ER-α（ERα）活性的能力。流行病学数据表明，东方人群中 CNL 的低患病率与大豆制品（富含植物雌激素的饮食）的消费有关。然而，观察性和干预性研究都得出了不一致的结果。在我们看来，这些差异取决于对植物雌激素摄入（饮食问卷的目的不是确定植物雌激素的摄入量）和吸收（主要取决于分析对象的肠道微生物群）的评估不足。出于这个原因，在本综述中，我们对植物雌激素的饮食摄入和代谢进行了概述，为读者提供了更好地解释文献的机会。未来的前瞻性试验应考虑到植物雌激素对 CNL 的保护作用，既要考虑到它们的饮食摄入，也要考虑到它们的吸收，同时考虑到肠道微生物群的有效作用。
