Affiliations: Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at
Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA | Pharmacology \& Toxicology, University of Alabama
at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA | Comprehensive Cancer Center Mass Spectrometry Shared
Facility, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
Note: [] Department of Pharmacology \& Toxicology, VH G009,
University of Alabama in Birmingham, 1670 University Boulevard, Birmingham, AL
35294, USA
Abstract: Soy and its isoflavones are associated with a reduced risk of
chronic disease. The mechanisms of action of isoflavones include their roles as
weak estrogens, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase-dependent signal transduction
processes and as cellular antioxidants. Although estrogen receptor beta binds
genistein with an affinity close to that of
17\beta-estradiol, it remains to be determined whether it is
a mediator of genistein's activity in vivo. Genistein's inhibition of protein
tyrosine kinases is not limited to direct effect on these kinases, but may
result from alteration in kinase expression. Genistein is not a particularly
good scavanger of cellular oxidants; however, it reacts vigorously with the
prooxidant hypochlorous acid, produced by neutrophils as part of the
inflammatory response. The chlorinated isoflavones may have altered biochemical
and biological effects compared to their parent compounds and may provide
increased protection against inflammatory disease.
Journal: BioFactors, vol. 12, no. 1-4, pp. 209-215, 2000
