J Menopausal Med.  2019 Aug;25(2):69-73. 10.6118/jmm.18143.

Effect of Isoflavones and Genistein on Glucose Metabolism in Peri- and Post-Menopausal Women: An Overview of Meta-Analysis

• Maliehe A
• Ghahremani S
• Kharghani
• Ghazanfarpour M
• Shariati K
• Kazemi M
• Khadivzadeh T

• KMID: 2466841
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6118/jmm.18143

Abstract

The purpose of the present overview of meta-analysis is to summarize and critically assess the effect of isoflavones and genistein on glucose metabolism among the peri- and post-menopausal women. Two independent authors searched the databases of MEDLINE, Scopus and Cochrane Library for meta-analysis. Three databases were searched from inception to January 2018. Methodological quality of each meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was evaluated using the AMSTAR (a measurement tool used to assess systematic reviews). Four meta-analyses were included to the current overview. Fasting insulin levels and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were significantly lower in peri-menopausal and postmenopausal. Two meta-analyses showed that treatment with isoflavones could not alter fasting blood glucose. However, one meta-analysis depicted that isoflavones significantly improved blood glucose levels in non-Asian postmenopausal women. Treatment with genistein could have significant beneficial effects on fasting insulin, blood glucose and HOMA-IR in comparison to the control group. Regardless of the population, the treatment with genistein is effective in improving fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and glucose levels. Nevertheless, the high heterogeneity among studies and poor methodology of reviews made it difficult to draw a definite conclusion on the positive impacts of soy on glucose metabolism.

Keyword

Genistein; Glucose metabolism disorders; Insulins; Isoflavones; Menopause

MeSH Terms

Blood Glucose
Fasting
Female
Genistein*
Glucose Metabolism Disorders
Glucose*
Humans
Insulin
Insulin Resistance
Insulins
Isoflavones*
Menopause
Metabolism*
Population Characteristics
Blood Glucose
Genistein
Glucose
Insulin
Insulins
Isoflavones

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Process of selecting review is showed.

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