Soy isoflavones do not modulate circulating insulin-like growth factor concentrations in an older population in an intervention trial

J Nutr. 2003 May;133(5):1316-9. doi: 10.1093/jn/133.5.1316.

Abstract

Insulin-like growth factors (IGF) are essential for normal growth and maintenance of lean muscle mass; however, high insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and low IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels are also associated with several cancers. To test the hypothesis that long-term soy isoflavone supplementation decreases circulating IGF-I concentrations, we conducted a controlled, parallel-arm, double-blind intervention study with 150 participants (85% men), 50-80 y old. Participants were randomly assigned to consume a soy beverage powder daily for 12 mo. The active treatment group (+ISO) received soy protein containing 83 mg isoflavones, whereas the comparison group (-ISO) received soy protein containing 3 mg isoflavones. Serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 were measured by ELISA. Mean change in serum IGF-I concentrations was similar in the two groups (+1.4 nmol/L in +ISO, +1.2 nmol/L in -ISO; P = 0.74, 95% confidence interval -1.1, +1.5 nmol/L for the 0.21 nmol/L difference between groups), indicating no effect of the isoflavone intervention. Similarly, the changes in IGFBP-3 and the IGF-I/IGFBP-3 ratio were similar in both groups, again showing no effect of +ISO treatment. A 12 mo, 83 mg/d soy isoflavone intervention did not modulate serum IGF in an older, mostly male population.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Ethnicity
  • Female
  • Glycine max*
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / blood*
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 / drug effects
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / drug effects
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / metabolism*
  • Isoflavones / pharmacokinetics
  • Isoflavones / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Washington

Substances

  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3
  • Isoflavones
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor I