Soy isoflavones reduce heat shock proteins in postmenopausal women

ABSTRACT

Background: Atherosclerosis and its complications remain the most common cause of death in postmenopausal women. But there a few studies evaluating if hormonal therapy can affect the autoimune response involved in atherosclerosis. Objective: To evaluate the effects of soy germ isoflavones and hormone replacement therapy on antibodies against heat shock proteins (HSP60, HSP70 and HSC70) in moderately hypertensive hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Methods: Women were treated with soy germ (2g/ day), 17Beta estradiol (2g / day) or 17 beta estradiol , alone or associated (2 mg / day)+ noretisterone acetate (1 mg/day), for 3 months after taking placebo for 1 month. The plasma antibodies reactive to HSP60, HSP70 and HSC70 were determined by ELISA...