Hypolipidemic Effects of Soy Protein and Isoflavones in the Prevention of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease- A Review

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease and affects about 25% of the population globally. Obesity and diabetes are the main causes of the disease characterized by excessive accumulation of lipids in the liver. There is currently no direct pharmacological treatments for NAFLD. Dietary intervention and lifestyle modification are the key strategies in the prevention and treatment of the disease. Soy consumption is associated with many health benefits such as decreased incidence of coronary heart disease, type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity. The hypolipidemic functions of soy components have been shown in both animal studies and human clinical trials. Dietary soy proteins and associated isoflavones suppressed the formation and accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver and improved NAFLD-associated metabolic syndrome. The molecular mechanism(s) underlying the effects of soy components are mainly through modulation of transcription factors, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ2, and expressions of their target genes involved in lipogenesis and lipolysis as well as lipid droplet-promoting protein, fat-specific protein-27. Inclusion of appropriate amounts of soy protein and isoflavones in the diets might be a useful approach to decrease the prevalence of NAFLD and mitigate disease burden.

IAVPGEVA: Orally Available DPP4-Targeting Soy Glycinin Derived Octapeptide with Therapeutic Potential in Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

“…Soy protein is one of the major sources of plant-based protein for human consumption . A randomized clinical trial showed that consumption of soy milk in the context of a restricted-calorie diet for 8 weeks had favorable effects on serum ALT and hs-CRP in patients with NAFLD .…”

“…Soy protein is one of the major sources of plant-based protein for human consumption. 31 A randomized clinical trial showed that consumption of soy milk in the context of a restricted-calorie diet for 8 weeks had favorable effects on serum ALT and hs-CRP in patients with NAFLD. 32 A meal replacement regimen based on the soy protein has comparable effects on body and liver fat, as well as a decrease in markers of hepatic inflammation among NASH patients.…”

The effect of soy isoflavones supplementation on metabolic status in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized placebo controlled clinical trial

“…Moradi et al have shown the effect of isoflavones in lowering the level of serum total cholesterol and apoprotein B in post-menopausal women in a recent meta-analysis of RCTs [ 42 ]. In a review article, Xia et al have also reported the hypolipidemic effects of soy ingredients in both animal and human studies [ 43 ]. the underlying mechanisms by which, soy isoflavones may insert their hypolipidemic effects are; the first, similarity between soy isoflavones and 17-β-esteradiol that making soy isoflavone as a ligand for estrogen receptors (ERs) which, resulted in gene expression and advantageous effects on lipid profile [ 44 , 45 ].…”

Association between daidzein intake and metabolic associated fatty liver disease: A cross-sectional study from NHANES 2017–2018

“…Given the current state of treatment for NAFLD/MAFLD, daidzein may be a potential therapeutic option. Recent research has demonstrated that soy protein concentrates and related isoflavones play an important role in lowering blood lipids, reducing hepatic steatosis, and improving the symptoms of NAFLD ( 66 , 67 ). A cross-section study of 17,685 US adults also showed a negative association between the consumption of flavonoids and FLI ( 68 ).…”