Validation of a novel estrogen receptor-based microtitration plate assay for the determination of phytoestrogens in soy-based foods

Isoflavones and soyasaponins in soy infant formulas in Brazil: profile and estimated consumption

In the present study we determine the contents of isoflavones and soyasaponins in seven soy-based infant formulas available in the Brazilian market to estimate the intake of these bioactive compounds by infants. The mean contents of isoflavones and soyasaponins were 65.9mg/kg and 55.0mg/100g, respectively. β-Glycosylated isoflavones and soyasaponin B-I were the most abundant components in the analysed samples. The mean estimated intake of isoflavones by infants fed soy-based formulas was 0.8mg/day/kg of body weight, which is twice that of Japanese adults. For soyasaponins, the mean estimated intake was 9.2mg/day/kg of body weight, which is up to 6 times higher than the daily intake of saponins from beans by vegetarians. Considering the estimated intake of these bioactive compounds from soy-based formulas and the paucity of data regarding their bioavailability, the potential biological effects of isoflavones and soyasaponins in infants should not be overlooked and merits further investigation.

SPR-based biosensors: a tool for biodetection of hormonal compounds

Novel cancer treatments, prevention of postmenopausal disorder, and prescription of oral contraceptives are the main developments in the design of synthetic estrogenic medication. The increasing consumption of these synthetic pharmaceuticals, in addition to human and animal natural estrogenic compound excretion, contribute to their environmental dissemination worldwide. Their assimilation as a result of consumption of food and water perturbs normal endocrine systems and leads to the emergence of human and animal diseases and malformations. These compounds are active in the organism at low concentrations. Accordingly, daily low-level exposure disrupts the natural equilibrium in the endocrine system. A method enabling quantification at such products at low levels (from pg L(-1) to ng L(-1)) is therefore required for these products. Surface plasmon resonance, essentially used for comprehension of molecular mechanisms and in drug discovery, can also be used for environmental pollutant monitoring. This technology has already been used for evaluation of the effects of chemical pollutants on specific nuclear receptors. It has been possible to determine the role of each individual compound on the disruption of the estrogen-activated cellular pathway. Development of SPR screening methods enables application of such an approach for quantification of these compounds in water.

Phytoestrogens

Collectively, plants contain several different families of natural products among which are compounds with weak estrogenic or antiestrogenic activity toward mammals. These compounds, termed phytoestrogens, include certain isoflavonoids, flavonoids, stilbenes, and lignans. The best-studied dietary phytoestrogens are the soy isoflavones and the flaxseed lignans. Their perceived health beneficial properties extend beyond hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancers and osteoporosis to include cognitive function, cardiovascular disease, immunity and inflammation, and reproduction and fertility. In the future, metabolic engineering of plants could generate novel and exquisitely controlled dietary sources with which to better assess the potential health beneficial effects of phytoestrogens.

Soy-based formulas and phyto-oestrogens: a safety profile

Phyto-oestrogens are non-steroidal plant-derived compounds that possess oestrogenic activity and act as selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). Among the dietary oestrogens, the isoflavone class enjoy a wide-spread distribution in most of the members of the Leguminosae family, including such prominent high-content representatives as soybean. Phyto-oestrogen research has grown rapidly in recent years owing to epidemiological studies suggesting that diets rich in soy may be associated with potential health benefits. There is a paucity of data on endocrine effects of soy phytochemicals during infancy, the most sensitive period of life for the induction of toxicity. The safety of isoflavones in infant formulas has been questioned recently owing to reports of possible hormonal effects. Infants fed soy formula receive high levels of phyto-oestrogens in the form of isoflavones (genistein, daidzein and their glycosides). To date, no adverse effects of short- or long-term use of soy proteins have been observed in humans and exposure to soy-based infant formulas does not appear to lead to different reproductive outcomes than exposure to cow milk formulas. Soy formula seems to be a safe feeding option for most infants. Nevertheless, much closer studies in experimental animals and human populations exposed to phyto-oestrogen-containing products, and particularly soy-based infant formulas, are necessary.

Measurement of intact sulfate and glucuronide phytoestrogen conjugates in human urine using isotope dilution liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry with [13C(3)]isoflavone internal standards

A method has been developed for the analysis of phytoestrogens and their conjugates in human urine using liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Stable isotopically labeled [13C(3)]daidzein and [13C(3)]genistein were synthesized and used as internal standards for isotope dilution mass spectrometry. Free aglycons and intact glucuronide, sulfate, diglucuronide, disulfate, and mixed sulfoglucuronide conjugates of isoflavones and lignans were observed in naturally incurred urine samples. Sample pretreatment was not necessary, other than addition of internal standards and pH adjustment. Urine was injected directly onto the analytical column. The limits of detection were generally <50ng/ml, precision was generally <10% CV for conjugates. Total hydrolyzed daidzein and genistein were measured against quality assurance urine sample and were accurate to within 12%. The accuracy of conjugate measurement can not be ascertained, as no reference samples are available. The mean sum of daidzein and its conjugates was within 20% of the hydrolyzed value. Concentrations of the free aglycons of up to 22% of genistein and 18% of daidzein were observed. The average pattern was ca. 54% 7-glucuronide, 25% 4(')-glucuronide, 13% monosulfates, 7% free daidzein, 0.9% sulfoglucuronides, 0.4% diglucuronide, and <0.1% disulfate. Selective enzymatic deconjugation with glucuronidase and mixed glucuronidase/sulfatase were used to validate the accuracy of the quantitation of the intact daidzein conjugates. There were no apparent sex differences, or conditioning effects on the conjugation profile of isoflavones after chronic dosing.

Identification and quantification of polyphenol phytoestrogens in foods and human biological fluids

We review the methods used to measure phytoestrogens (genistein, daidzein, lignans and their derivatives) in foods and biological fluids, and discuss advantages and disadvantages of each. The range of detection limits reported varies widely between individual laboratories, but generally the best reported sensitivity is as follows: immunoassay>HPLC-mass spectrometry=HPLC-multichannel electrochemical detection (coularray)>GC-single ion monitoring-mass spectrometry>HPLC-UV diode array>HPLC-single channel electrochemical detection. The best sensitivity reported so far is 0.002 pmol per assay for daidzein by radioimmunoassay. HPLC with UV diode array detection is the most commonly employed, but is the least sensitive and specific. GC and HPLC coupled with mass spectrometry or electrochemical detection are the most accurate and reproducible methods for a wide variety of analytes. Generally most methods, with the exception of immunoassay, have not been correlated with other methods. Recoveries from extraction methods, limits of detection, nature of compounds analysed and the internal standards used are summarised for more than 90 reports in the literature. From this data, it is clear that an inter-laboratory validation and correlation between a wide range of methods for phytoestrogen analysis is required. One underdeveloped area that requires particular attention is the analysis of plant lignans.

Identification, quantitation and biological activity of phytoestrogens in a dietary supplement for breast enhancement

A hop-based dietary supplement, marketed for natural breast enhancement, was analysed to determine the identity and biological activity of active constituents and potential biological effects in man. Extracts of the dietary supplement were analysed by LC-MS(n) and phytoestrogens identified and quantitated by reference to appropriate standards. Only hop-associated phytoestrogens were found in the dietary supplement at significant concentrations as follows (mean+/-1 S.D.); 8-prenylnaringenin 10.9+/-0.3, 6-prenylnaringenin 27.4+/-1.2, 6,8-diprenylnaringenin 0.9+/-0.1, xanthohumol 321+/-17 and isoxanthohumol 81.1+/-1.6 microg/g of dietary supplement. The oestrogenic activity of extracts in an ERalpha reporter gene assay was equivalent to 48+/-6.3 ng 17beta-oestradiol/g supplement and consistent with the 8-prenylnaringenin content. The dietary supplement extract also inhibited reductive 17beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase activity, but to a greater extent than a concentration matched reference mixture of hop phytoestrogens. However, the supplement was only weakly active in mouse uterotrophic assays following administration in feed or after subcutaneous injection of extract at doses of 8-PN up to 250 times higher than that recommended for women. These preliminary findings suggest that the dietary supplement is unlikely to produce oestrogenic effects in vivo at the level of the uterus; supporting evidence is still required to demonstrate efficacy.