Effect of soy isoflavone protein and soy lecithin on endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of soy isoflavone protein concentrate and soy lecithin on endothelial function, measured as flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery in healthy postmenopausal women. DESIGN: This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial with 25 participants (mean age, 61 years; body mass index, 25.46 kg/m2). The women underwent endothelial function testing at baseline and after 4 weeks of randomly assigned treatment with intervening 4-week washout periods. Treatment assignments included soy isoflavone protein (25 g/day) and soy lecithin (20 g/day), soy isoflavone protein (25 g/day) and placebo lecithin, placebo protein and soy lecithin (20 g/day), and double placebo. FMD and serum lipid levels were assessed at baseline and the end of each 4-week treatment phase. RESULTS: Twenty-two women completed the trial. No statistically significant (P > 0.05) difference was seen in FMD between treatment groups. A trend was suggested with FMD highest after treatment with soy protein plus lecithin (7.50 +/- 9.85), followed by soy protein (5.51 +/- 10.11), soy lecithin (5.35 +/- 6.13), and lowest after placebo (4.53 +/- 7.84). Soy isoflavone protein and soy lecithin significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein/low-density lipoprotein ratio (soy isoflavone protein plus soy lecithin, 0.64 +/- 0.19, P < 0.0001; soy isoflavone protein plus placebo lecithin, 0.58 +/- 0.17, P = 0.0058; placebo protein plus soy lecithin, 0.65 +/- 0.18, P < 0.0001) relative to the baseline value (0.49 +/- 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of healthy postmenopausal women, soy isoflavone protein and soy lecithin significantly improved the lipid profile. A favorable influence on endothelial function could not be confirmed.