SOY ISOFLAVONES IMPROVE SYSTEMIC ARTERIAL COMPLIANCE BUT NOT PLASMA-LIPIDS IN MENOPAUSAL AND PERIMENOPAUSAL WOMEN

The possibility that the heightened cardiovascular risk associated wit h the menopause, which is said to be ameliorated by soybeans, can be r educed with soy isoflavones was tested in 21 women. Although several w ere perimenopausal, all have been included, A placebo-controlled cross over trial tested the effects of 80-mg daily isoflavones (45 mg genist ein) over 1- to 10-week periods. Systemic arterial compliance (arteria l elasticity), which declined with age in this group, improved 26% (P< .001) compared with placebo. Arterial pressure and plasma lipids were unaffected. The vasodilatory capacity of the microcirculation was meas ured in nine women: high acetylcholine-mediated dilation in the forear m vasculature was similar with active and placebo treatments. LDL oxid izability measured in vitro was unchanged. Thus, one important measure of arterial health, systemic arterial compliance. was significantly i mproved in perimenopausal and menopausal women taking soy isoflavones to about the same extent as is achieved with conventional hormone repl acement therapy.