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Soy isoflavones supplementation alleviates disease severity in autoimmune-prone MRL-lpr/lpr mice
1Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, Institute of Microbiology and Biochemistry, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Abstract:
Soy isoflavones supplements, which are phyto-oestrogens widely used as alternatives to alleviate menopausal syndromes or prevent chronic diseases, may exert oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic activities. This study aimed to investigate the effects of soy isoflavones supplement on oestrogen-related autoimmune disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, using autoimmune-prone female MRL-lpr/lpr mice. Eighty mice of 8 weeks were divided into five groups: 0 (Control), 2 (Isf 2), 10 (Isf 10) and 20 (Isf 20) mg/kg BW/day Phyto Soya isoflavones or 0.375 mg/kg BW/day tamoxifen (TAM) as the positive control, by tube-feeding. Some mice were killed at age 15 weeks for cellular cytokine secretion. The data suggested that the Isf 20 and TAM groups had higher weight gain and survival compared with the control group. At age 22 weeks, the Isf 20 group still had 75% survival comparable to mice treated with TAM. At age 14 weeks, the TAM group showed significantly lower serum anti-double-stranded (ds) DNA IgG and anti-cardiolipin IgG. The mice in the Isf 10 and Isf 20 groups also had lower anti-dsDNA IgG and anti-cardiolipin IgG. The interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion from mitogen-stimulated T cells in the Isf 20 and TAM groups were significantly lower than those of control mice. Furthermore, the oestrogenic activity of the methanol extracts of soy isoflavones for oestrogen receptor (ER)beta, but not ERalpha, significantly increased, suggesting that soy isoflavones have a selective modulation of ER activation. Thus, soy isoflavone supplementation did not aggravate murine lupus, but apparently ameliorated the disease.
Insights
Soy isoflavone supplements appear to benefit autoimmune diseases like lupus in mice. This study found that soy isoflavones improved survival and reduced disease markers in MRL-lpr/lpr mice, suggesting a potential therapeutic role.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Soy isoflavones are phytoestrogens with potential oestrogenic and anti-oestrogenic effects.
- They are commonly used for menopausal symptoms and chronic disease prevention.
- Their impact on estrogen-related autoimmune diseases requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of soy isoflavone supplementation on a murine model of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
- To assess the influence of soy isoflavones on disease progression, survival, autoantibody production, and cytokine secretion in MRL-lpr/lpr mice.
Main Methods:
- Eighty female MRL-lpr/lpr mice were divided into five groups: control, three soy isoflavone doses (2, 10, 20 mg/kg BW/day), and tamoxifen (positive control).
- Mice were treated via gavage, and outcomes including weight gain, survival, autoantibody levels (anti-dsDNA IgG, anti-cardiolipin IgG), and T-cell cytokine secretion (IFN-gamma) were measured.
- Estrogen receptor (ER) activity was assessed.
Main Results:
- Soy isoflavone (20 mg/kg) and tamoxifen groups showed increased weight gain and survival rates compared to controls.
- The Isf 10 and Isf 20 groups exhibited reduced levels of anti-double-stranded DNA IgG and anti-cardiolipin IgG.
- Interferon-gamma secretion was significantly lower in the Isf 20 and tamoxifen groups.
- Soy isoflavones selectively increased estrogen receptor beta activity.
Conclusions:
- Soy isoflavone supplementation did not worsen murine lupus and showed apparent amelioration of the disease.
- These findings suggest soy isoflavones may have a beneficial role in managing estrogen-related autoimmune conditions like lupus.
- Selective modulation of estrogen receptor beta by soy isoflavones may contribute to their therapeutic effects.
