Effects of phytoestrogen-coumestrol on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in young ovariectomized rats may be independent of its estrogenicity

Two groups of young ovariectomized female mts received one of two treatment s. The first group was fed coumestrol in lab chow (200 mu g of coumestrol p er day) for 14 days; the second group received coumestrol (40 mg/L) via per fusion medium. There was a significant increase (78% compared with the cont rol group) in the uterine weight after coumestrol treatment which supports the estrogen-like activity of coumestrol. Phytoestrogen diminished the live r and skeletal muscle glycogen contents by 18% and 29%; respectively, and i ncreased the blood glucose level by 24%. Glycogenolytic activity of coumest rol was observed when it acted directly on the liver areas Although phytoes trogen did not influence insulin and glucagon blood level, river and to som e degree muscle susceptibility to insulin (measured as hormone binding by i nsulin receptors) was decreased. Coumestrol increased the content of trigly cerides in muscle by 113% and enhanced the liver lipid synthesis from gluco se by 179%. Liver cholesterol concentration was increased both after coumes trol feeding (by 12%) and when it acted directly on the liver (by 16%). The se observations suggest that coumestral is in general anabolic with regard to lipid and catabolic within-carbohydrate metabolism of young ovariectomiz ed female rats. Based on the results of this study, it is concluded that in fluence of coumestrol on lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of ovariectomize d rats is in part not related to its estrogenic action. (C) Elsevier Scienc e Inc. 1999. All rights reserved.