Inhibition of postmenopausal atherosclerosis progression: a comparison of the effects of conjugated equine estrogens and soy phytoestrogens

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Jan;86(1):41-7. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.1.7151.

Abstract

Experimental evidence was sought concerning whether soy phytoestrogens (SPEs) inhibit postmenopausal atherosclerosis progression/extent and, if so, their effectiveness relative to traditional estrogen replacement therapy. Premenopausal cynomolgus monkeys were fed a moderately atherogenic diet (26 months) to induce atherosclerosis. After ovariectomy, the moderately atherogenic diet was continued, and they were treated (36 months) with a control diet (soy protein depleted of SPEs), a diet containing SPEs in soy protein isolate, or a diet containing SPE-depleted soy protein with conjugated equine estrogens (CEE; Premarin) added. SPE effects on plasma lipids were better than those of CEE (higher high density lipoprotein cholesterol and no increase in triglyceride). Relative to the control group, CEE treatment inhibited (P = 0.0001), and SPE treatment partially inhibited (P = 0.10) the progression of atherosclerosis (common iliac artery atherosclerosis before and after treatment). CEE-treated monkeys had much less coronary artery atherosclerosis than the controls (P = 0.0002), whereas SPE-treated monkeys were intermediate in lesion extent between the controls and the CEE-treated animals (P = 0.02). Both CEE and SPE significantly reduced the extent of common carotid and internal carotid artery atherosclerosis, and the two treatment groups were not significantly different.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arteriosclerosis / pathology*
  • Carotid Artery Diseases / pathology
  • Coronary Artery Disease / pathology
  • Disease Progression
  • Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / pharmacology*
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Hormones / blood
  • Horses
  • Isoflavones / blood
  • Isoflavones / metabolism
  • Lipids / blood
  • Lipoproteins / blood
  • Macaca fascicularis
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Plant Preparations
  • Postmenopause / physiology*
  • Soybean Proteins / chemistry*

Substances

  • Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
  • Estrogens, Non-Steroidal
  • Hormones
  • Isoflavones
  • Lipids
  • Lipoproteins
  • Phytoestrogens
  • Plant Preparations
  • Soybean Proteins