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In Vitro Hormonal Effects of Soybean Isoflavones¹

Department of Pathology, Northwestern University ^* Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL 60611

Isoflavones exhibit a multitude of biological effects that influence cell growth and regulation, and, thus, may have potential value in the prevention and treatment of cancer. Isoflavones are weak estrogens and can function both as estrogen agonists and antagonists depending on the hormonal milieu and the target tissue and species under investigation. Genistein, one of the two primary isoflavones in soybeans, has attracted much attention from the research community, not only because of its potential antiestrogenic effects, but because it inhibits several key enzymes thought to be involved in carcinogenesis. Although still speculative, greater dietary incorporation of soybean products, because of the high concentration of isoflavones, may be a safe and effective means of reducing cancer risk.

KEY WORDS: • phytoestrogens • anticarcinogens • hormone receptors • angiogenesis

¹ Presented at the First International Symposium on the Role of Soy in Preventing and Treating Chronic Disease, held in Mesa, AZ, February 20–23, 1994. The symposium was sponsored by Protein Technologies International, the soybean growers from Nebraska, Indiana and Iowa and the United Soybean Board. Guest editors for this symposium were Mark Messina, 1543 Lincoln Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, and John W. Erdman, Jr., Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801-3852.