Pasta Naturally Enriched with Isoflavone Aglycons from Soy Germ Reduces Serum Lipids and Improves Markers of Cardiovascular Risk

• Published in: The Journal of nutrition Vol. 137; no. 10; pp. 2270 - 2278
• Main Authors: Clerici, Carlo, Setchell, Kenneth D.R, Battezzati, Pier Maria, Pirro, Matteo, Giuliano, Vittorio, Asciutti, Stefania, Castellani, Danilo, Nardi, Elisabetta, Sabatino, Giuseppe, Orlandi, Stefano, Baldoni, Monia, Morelli, Olivia, Mannarino, Elmo, Morelli, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bethesda, MD American Society for Nutrition 01.10.2007; American Society for Nutritional Sciences
• Subjects: aglycons; Biological and medical sciences; biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; blood lipids; C-reactive protein; cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - metabolism; Cross-Over Studies; equol; experimental diets; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Food, Fortified; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; germ; Glycine max - chemistry; Humans; hypercholesterolemia; isoflavones; Isoflavones - chemistry; Isoflavones - pharmacology; Lipids - blood; low density lipoprotein; Male; Middle Aged; novel foods; nutrient content; pasta; randomized clinical trials; Risk Factors; soy germ; soybean products; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Asia; Phytoestrogen; Vascular disease; Isoflavone; Grain legume; Nutrition; Atherosclerosis; Cardiovascular disease; Lipids; Serum; Soybean
• ISSN: 0022-3166; 1541-6100
• DOI: 10.1093/jn/137.10.2270

Most studies of soy and cholesterol have tested foods made from purified soy proteins containing mainly isoflavone glycosides. Fermented soy foods have mainly isoflavone aglycons and account for a high proportion of the soy protein source in Asia, where there is an inverse relationship between soy intake and serum cholesterol. The aim of this study was to compare a novel soy germ pasta, naturally enriched in isoflavone aglycons as a result of the manufacturing process, with conventional pasta for effects on serum lipids and other cardiovascular risk markers. In this randomized, controlled, parallel study design of 62 adults with hypercholesterolemia who consumed a Step II diet that included one 80-g serving/d of pasta, we measured serum lipids, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), urinary isoprostanes, and brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation at baseline and after 4 and 8 wk. The pasta delivered 33 mg of isoflavones and negligible soy protein and led to a serum isoflavone concentration of 222 ± 21 nmol/L; 69% of subjects were equol producers. Soy germ pasta reduced serum total and LDL cholesterol by 0.47 ± 0.13 mmol/L (P = 0.001) and 0.36 ± 0.10 mmol/L (P = 0.002) more than conventional pasta, representing reductions from baseline of 7.3% (P = 0.001) and 8.6% (P = 0.002), respectively. Arterial stiffness (P = 0.003) and hsCRP (P = 0.03) decreased and improvements in all the above risk markers were greatest in equol producers. All measures returned to baseline when patients were switched to conventional pasta. In conclusion, pasta naturally enriched with isoflavone aglycons and lacking soy protein had a significant hypocholesterolemic effect beyond a Step II diet and improved other cardiovascular risk markers.