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A biochanin-enriched isoflavone from red clover lowers LDL cholesterol in men

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 58, pages 403–408 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether the two major isoflavones in red clover differ in their effect on low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C).

Design: A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial; two parallel groups taking one of the two isoflavones within which treatment and placebo were administered in a crossover design.

Setting: Free-living volunteers.

Subjects: A total of 46 middle-aged men and 34 postmenopausal women.

Interventions: Two mixtures of red clover isoflavones enriched in either biochanin (n=40) or formononetin (n=40) were compared. Placebo and active treatment (40 mg/day) were administered for 6 weeks each in a crossover design within the two parallel groups.

Main outcome measures: Plasma lipids were measured twice at the end of each period.

Results: Baseline LDL-C concentrations did not differ significantly between men (n=46) and women (n=34), nor between those randomised to biochanin or formononetin. Interaction between time and treatments, biochanin, formononetin and corresponding placebos (two-way ANOVA) on LDL-C showed a significant effect of biochanin treatment alone. The biochanin effect was confined to men; median LDL-C was 3.61 (3.05–4.14) mmol/l with biochanin and 3.99 (3.16–4.29) mmol/l with the corresponding placebo (RM ANOVA with Dunnett's adjustment P<0.05). The difference between placebo and biochanin effects on LDL-C was 9.5%. No other lipid was affected and women failed to respond significantly to treatment.

Conclusions: Isolated isoflavones from red clover enriched in biochanin (genistein precursor) but not in formononetin (daidzein precursor), lowered LDL-C in men. This may partly explain the previous failure to demonstrate cholesterol-lowering effects with mixed isoflavones studied predominantly in women.

Sponsorship: Novogen Ltd, North Ryde NSW, Australia, provided partial support including provision of tablets and outside monitoring.

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Acknowledgements

Novogen Ltd (North Ryde, NSW, Australia) provided the isoflavone supplements and placebo tablets and arranged an outside monitor to supervise the trial. All investigators contributed to the design and interpretation of the experiment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Baker Medical Research Institute Wynn Domain, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    P Nestel, M Cehun & A Chronopoulos

  2. Department of Vascular Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia

    L DaSilva, H Teede & B McGrath

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  1. P Nestel
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  2. M Cehun
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  3. A Chronopoulos
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  4. L DaSilva
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  5. H Teede
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Correspondence to P Nestel.

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Nestel, P., Cehun, M., Chronopoulos, A. et al. A biochanin-enriched isoflavone from red clover lowers LDL cholesterol in men. Eur J Clin Nutr 58, 403–408 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601796

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