The variable metabolic response to dietary isoflavones in humans

The aim of this study was to better understand the metabolic fate of dietary estrogenic isoflavones in humans. Twelve volunteers were challenged with soya flour and urinary levels of the isoflavones daidzein (Da), genistein (Gen), and glycitein (Gly), and the isoflavonoid metabolites equol (Eq) and O-desmethylangolensin (O-Dma) determined by GC and GC-MS. Prior to challenge, Da, Gen, and Gly were present in the urine of all participants at low levels and Eq and O-Dma were present in 9/12 and 10/12 participants, respectively. Urinary levels of all five diphenols were increased in each individual on the day following challenge, returning to approximately prechallenge levels on the second or third day post-challenge. Mean post-challenge peak levels of the five diphenols compared with pre-challenge levels were Da (4x), Gen (8x), Gly (5x), Eq (45x), and O-Dma (66x). However, there was considerable individual variation in this metabolic response with peak levels of Eq showing the highest variation (1527x). An inverse relationship between Eq and O-Dma excretion was also found post-challenge suggesting individual variability in the preferred metabolic pathways of dietary isoflavones.