Short-Term Supplementation With Fermented Red Clover Extract Reduces Vascular Inflammation in Early Post-menopausal Women

Abstract

The decline in estrogen at menopause poses a critical challenge to cardiovascular and metabolic health. Recently, a growing interest in the role of phytoestrogens, with a particular focus on isoflavones, has emerged as they can bind to estrogen receptors and may mimic the roles of endogenous estrogen. Fermented red clover extract (RC) contains isoflavones with superior bioavailability compared to non-fermented isoflavones, however little is known regarding the impact of isoflavones on cardiovascular and metabolic health. We assessed markers of vascular health in plasma and skeletal muscle samples obtained from healthy but sedentary early post-menopausal women (n = 10; 54 ± 4 years) following 2 weeks of twice daily treatment with placebo (PLA) or RC (60 mg isoflavones per day). The two interventions were administered using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design with a two-week washout period. Plasma samples were utilized for assessment of markers of vascular inflammation. There was a statistically significant reduction (~5.4%) in vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) following 2 weeks of RC supplementation compared to PLA (p = 0.03). In contrast, there was no effect of RC supplementation compared to PLA on skeletal muscle estrogen receptor content and enzymes related to vascular function, and angiogenesis. Supplementation with RC reduces vascular inflammation in early post-menopausal women and future studies should address the long-term impact of daily supplementation with RC after menopause.

The Contribution of Isoflavones in Menopausal Symptomatic as Alternative Treatment Option

“…Phytoestrogens are a modern alternative, but derived from a long pharmaceutical tradition, for the treatment of osteoporosis and at the same time a holistic proposal for the treatment of the symptoms and problems of menopause. Phytoestrogens are substances present in food that have a modifying effect on estrogen receptors and may have partial estrogenic and anti-estrogenic effects [32,[37][38][39][40][41][42].…”

“…However, a percentage of 10% after its intake by the body turns back into daidzein. However, a large multicenter study did not show its effectiveness and linked it to several side effects [32,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44].…”

Potensi Fitoestrogen Semanggi Merah Sebagai Nutraceutical untuk Mengatasi Sindrom Menopause

“…Meskipun tidak memiliki struktur steroid, fitoestrogen mirip dengan 17β estradiol karena keduanya bersaing untuk reseptor yang sama, meskipun dengan kapasitas aktivasi yang lebih rendah, tetapi dapat menjalankan mekanisme yang sama. Ada dua jenis reseptor estrogen yaitu ERα, bentuk dominan di payudara dan rahim, dan ERβ, bentuk dominan di sistem kardiovaskular, saluran urogenital, otot, dan tulang [8], [25]. Isoflavon semanggi merah dengan kesamaan struktural dengan 17β-estradiol endogen mengungkapkan efek biologisnya melalui pengaktifan reseptor estrogen (ER), dengan afinitas yang lebih tinggi terhadap ER-β dibandingkan dengan ER-α [15].…”

“…Isoflavon dalam semanggi merah berpotensi menurunkan risiko gangguan kardiovaskular dengan memberikan efek antihipertensi dan antiaterosklerosis. Wickham, et al (2022) mengukur kadar VCAM-1, ICAM-1 (Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1), SAA (Serum Amyloid), dan CRP (C-Reactive Protein) dalam plasma sebagai penanda utama peradangan pembuluh darah dan adhesi sel sebagai respons terhadap pemberian ekstrak semanggi merah. Dari beberapa parameter tersebut, hanya VCAM-1 yang menunjukkan penurunan signifikan secara statistik.…”

Technological Functionalisation of Microencapsulated Genistein and Daidzein Delivery Systems Soluble in the Stomach and Intestines

“…Among these, red clover stands out for its phenolic content, especially isoflavones, which are compounds with estrogenic properties. Isoflavones exhibit promise in addressing diverse menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, supporting cardiovascular health, and combating osteoporosis [ 1 , 2 , 3 ].…”