Endocrine and Cognitive Effects of Short-Time Soybean Consumption in Women

Vol. 59, No. 2, 2005

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Original Article

Endocrine and Cognitive Effects of Short-Time Soybean Consumption in Women
Peter Celec^{a, c}, Daniela Ostatníková^b, Marieta Cagánová^d, Svetlana uchová^b, Július Hodosy^{b, e}, Zdenk Putz^g, Marián Bernadi^a, Matúš Kúdela^f

Institutes of
^aPathophysiology and
^bPhysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Departments of
^cMolecular Biology,
^dGenetics,
^eAnimal Physiology and Ethology, and
^fZoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Bratislava,
^gNational Institute of Endocrinology and Diabetology, L'ubocha, Slovakia

Address of Corresponding Author

Gynecol Obstet Invest 2005;59:62-66 (DOI: 10.1159/000081895)

Key Words

Soybeans
Phytoestrogens
Salivary testosterone
Spatial abilities

Abstract

Background: Soy phytoestrogens are known to influence the hormonal status acting as partial estrogen agonists. Soy-derived food supplements are advised for hormone replacement therapy, prevention of atherosclerosis, age-related cognitive decline and even hormone-dependent cancer, although results from clinical studies are controversial. Whether increased soybean intake can affect the endocrine status and cognitive abilities is largely unknown. Aim: To observe the effects of 1 week of increased soybean intake on sex hormone levels and spatial cognitive abilities in women. Subjects and Methods: 16 young healthy female volunteers were asked to eat 900 g of soybeans within 1 week. Salivary testosterone (T), free and total plasma T, salivary and plasma estradiol (E) were measured by radioimmunoassay before and after the study period. Mental rotation (MR) and spatial visualization (SV) psychological tests were done at the days of sampling. Results: Soybean intake increased total plasma T levels (p < 0.02) while decreasing salivary T (p < 0.01) and not altering free plasma T levels. Salivary and plasma E levels were not changed. The results of MR and SV tests were improved after the study period. Conclusion: Short-time increased soybean intake alters the level of total plasma and salivary T and improves spatial cognition in women. Whether this effect is mediated by modulation of estrogen receptors, changes in sex hormone-binding globulin production or changes in activity of steroid-competent enzymes needs further study.

Author Contacts

Peter Celec
Galbavého 3
SK-841 01 Bratislava (Slovakia)
Tel. +421 903 507 822, Fax +421 2 642 85 819
E-Mail petercelec@hotmail.com

Article Information

Received: May 3, 2004
Accepted after revision: August 19, 2004
Published online: November 3, 2004
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 36

Medline Abstract (ID 15528926)

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