Mechanisms of anti-atherosclerotic functions of soy-based diets

• Published in: The Journal of nutritional biochemistry Vol. 21; no. 4; pp. 255 - 260
• Main Author: Nagarajan, Shanmugam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01.04.2010; New York, NY: Elsevier Science; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animals; anti-inflammatory activity; atherogenesis; Atherosclerosis; Atherosclerosis - physiopathology; Atherosclerosis - prevention & control; biochemical mechanisms; biochemical pathways; Biological and medical sciences; cardioprotective effect; Cell Adhesion; Cell Movement - physiology; Diet; Endothelial Cells - physiology; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Foam Cells - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glycine max - chemistry; Humans; immunostimulants; Inflammation; Inflammation - physiopathology; Inflammation - prevention & control; Integrins - physiology; Isoflavones; Isoflavones - administration & dosage; leukocytes; lipolysis; macrophage activation; macrophages; monocytes; Monocytes - physiology; Plant Proteins, Dietary - administration & dosage; Protective Agents - administration & dosage; Soy; soy protein; soybean products; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; MCP-1; CD62E; Inflammation; CVD; TF; PPAR; LDL; Atherosclerosis; Cell adhesion; oxLDL; CD106; ApoE; CD62P; Soy; CD54; Isoflavones; Isoflavone; Cardiovascular disease; Soybean; Adhesion; Feeding; Vascular disease; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Diet
• ISSN: 0955-2863; 1873-4847
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2009.09.002

Soy-based diets have been reported to protect against the development of atherosclerosis. However, the underlying mechanism(s) for this protection remains unknown. Although atherosclerosis was traditionally considered a disease associated with impaired lipid metabolism, in recent years the inflammatory components of atherosclerosis have been explored. Recent studies have convincingly delineated that uncontrolled chronic inflammation is the principal contributing factor for the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. Interaction between activated monocytes and vascular endothelial cells is an early event in atherogenesis. The adhesion of leukocytes, including monocytes, to the inflamed-vascular endothelium and their transmigration into intima initiate the inflammatory processes. Following transmigration, monocytes in the intima are transformed to macrophages, which take up oxidized-LDL (oxLDL) to generate lipid-laden macrophages, also known as foam cells. Hence, in this review article the inflammatory processes associated with atherosclerosis and possible anti-inflammatory functions of soy-based diets contributing to the prevention of atherosclerosis are presented.