Inflammatory bowel disease afflicts nearly 4 million people worldwide. Soy (Glycine max) is an important dietary constituent and has been reported to have beneficial effects against a number of chronic diseases including cancer. Here, we examined the efficacy of soy protein concentrate (SPC) to suppress inflammation and oxidative stress, and to improve gut barrier function in vitro and in vivo. SPC exhibited radical scavenging activity and protected Caco‐2 human colon cells from H2O2‐induced cytotoxicity. This latter effect was correlated with a SPC‐mediated decrease in intracellular reactive oxygen species. Co‐treatment of Caco‐2 cell monolayers with SPC dose‐dependently reduced dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced increases in monolayer permeability. Dietary supplementation with 6 or 12% SPC dose‐dependently reduced colonic protein levels of interleukin (IL)‐1b, IL‐6, and monocyte chemotactic protein‐1 in DSS‐induced CF‐1 mice compared to DSS‐treated controls. A similar decrease in the mRNA levels of Il1b and EGF‐like Module‐containing Mucin‐like Hormone Receptor‐Like 1 and toll‐like receptor 3 and 4 was observed. SPC treatment significantly increased colon levels of glucagon‐like peptide 1 and tended to increase the mRNA expression the tight junction proteins, claudin‐1 and occludin. Overall, our results suggest that SPC attenuates colonic inflammation in part by suppressing oxidative stress and intestinal permeability.
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