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Effect of S-equol and Soy Isoflavones on Heart and Brain

Effect of S-equol and Soy Isoflavones on Heart and Brain

Akira Sekikawa, Masafumi Ihara, Oscar Lopez, Chikage Kakuta, Brian Lopresti, Aya Higashiyama, Howard Aizenstein, Yue-Fang Chang, Chester Mathis, Yoshihiro Miyamoto, Lewis Kuller, Chendi Cui

Curr Cardiol Rev. 2019;15(2):114-135.

PMID: 30516108

Abstract:

Background:
Observational studies in Asia show that dietary intake of soy isoflavones had a significant inverse association with coronary heart disease (CHD). A recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) of soy isoflavones on atherosclerosis in the US, however, failed to show their benefit. The discrepancy may be due to the much lower prevalence of S-equol producers in Westerners: Only 20-30% of Westerners produce S-equol in contrast to 50-70% in Asians. S-equol is a metabolite of dietary soy isoflavone daidzein by gut microbiome and possesses the most antiatherogenic properties among all isoflavones. Several short-duration RCTs documented that soy isoflavones improves arterial stiffness. Accumulating evidence shows that both atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness are positively associated with cognitive decline/dementia. Therefore, potentially, soy isoflavones, especially S-equol, are protective against cognitive decline/dementia.
Methods/results:
This narrative review of clinical and epidemiological studies provides an overview of the health benefits of soy isoflavones and introduces S-equol. Second, we review recent evidence on the association of soy isoflavones and S-equol with CHD, atherosclerosis, and arterial stiffness as well as the association of atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness with cognitive decline/ dementia. Third, we highlight recent studies that report the association of soy isoflavones and S-equol with cognitive decline/dementia. Lastly, we discuss the future directions of clinical and epidemiological research on the relationship of S-equol and CHD and dementia.
Conclusions:
Evidence from observational studies and short-term RCTs suggests that S-equol is anti-atherogenic and improves arterial stiffness and may prevent CHD and cognitive impairment/ dementia. Well-designed long-term (≥ 2years) RCTs should be pursued.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP531953	S-Equol		531-95-3	Price
AP94105905	(±)-Equol		94105-90-5	Price

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