ABSTRACT
Functional food intake has been highlighted as a strategy for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases by reducing risk factors. In this study, we compared the effects of oral treatment with soy milk and simvastatin on dyslipidemia, left ventricle remodeling and atherosclerotic lesion of LDL receptor knockout mice (LDLr-/-) fed a hyperlipidic diet. Forty 3-month old male LDLr-/- mice were distributed into four groups: control group (C), in which animals received standard diet; HL group, in which animals were fed a hyperlipidic diet; HL+SM or HL+S groups, in which animals were submitted to a hyperlipidic diet plus soy milk or simvastatin, respectively. After 60 days, both soy milk and simvastatin treatment prevented dyslipidemia, atherosclerotic lesion progression and left ventricle hypertrophy in LDLr-/- mice. These beneficial effects of soy milk and simvastatin were associated with reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory state in the heart and aorta caused by the hyperlipidic diet. Treatment with soy milk was more effective in preventing HDLc reduction and triacylglycerol and VLDLc increase. On the other hand, simvastatin was more effective in preventing an increase in total cholesterol, LDLc and superoxide production in aorta, as well as CD40L both in aorta and left ventricle of LDLr-/-. In conclusion, our results suggest a cardioprotective effect of soy milk in LDLr-/- mice comparable to the well-known effects of simvastatin.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Mice , Anticholesteremic Agents/administration & dosage , Atherosclerosis/prevention & control , Diet , Receptors, LDL/blood , Simvastatin/administration & dosage , Soy Milk/administration & dosage , Ventricular Remodeling/physiology , Mice, KnockoutABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare body growth, weight, and fecal moisture in recently weaned rats fed exclusively on infant soy formula and soy-based beverage. METHODS: Three similar groups were formed (n = 10/group) consisting of weanling Wistar rats, maintained in metabolic cages. One group was fed soy protein-based beverage, another with soy-based infant formula, and another with cow's milk infant formula (control group). Water and diet were offered ad libitum. Body weight and length were measured. Stool was collected for three consecutive days. RESULTS: Weight and length were lower (p = 0.001; p = 0.001) in the groups receiving soy protein-based beverage (73.16 ± 5.74 g; 23.94 ± 1.04 cm) and soy-based formula (71.11 ± 5.84 g; 24.74 ± 0.60 cm) in relation to the group receiving cow's milk formula (84.88 ± 9.75 g; 26.01 ± 0.91 cm). Fresh fecal weight was greater (p < 0.001) in the soy-based beverage (3.44 ± 0.48 g) than in the soy-based formula (0.79 ± 0.20 g) and cow's milk-based formula (0.42 ± 0.17 g). Fecal moisture was higher (p < 0.001) in the group receiving soy protein-based beverage (47.28 ± 9.02%) and soy-based formula (37.21 ± 13.20%) than in the group receiving cow's milk formula (22.71 ± 10.86%). CONCLUSION: The growth of rats fed soy protein-based beverage and soy-based formula was lower than those fed cow's milk-based formula. The soy protein-based beverage resulted in significant increase in fecal weight and moisture. .
OBJETIVO: Comparar o crescimento corporal, o peso e a umidade das fezes de ratos recém-desmamados alimentados exclusivamente com fórmula infantil de soja e com bebida de extrato de soja. MÉTODOS: Constituíram-se três grupos similares (n = 10/grupo) de ratos machos Wistar recém-desmamados, mantidos em gaiolas metabólicas. Um grupo foi alimentado com bebida de extrato de soja, outro com fórmula infantil de soja e o outro com fórmula infantil de leite de vaca (grupo controle). Água e dieta foram oferecidas ad libitum. Foram mensurados o peso e o comprimento corporal. Fezes foram coletadas durante três dias consecutivos. RESULTADOS: Peso e comprimento foram menores (p = 0,001; p = 0,001) nos grupos com bebida de extrato de soja (73,16 ± 5,74 g; 23,94 ± 1,04 cm) e fórmula infantil de soja (71,11 ± 5,84 g; 24,74 ± 0,60 cm) em relação ao grupo de fórmula infantil de leite de vaca (84,88 ± 9,75 g; 26,01 ± 0,91 cm). O peso fresco fecal foi maior (p < 0,001) na bebida de extrato de soja (3,44 ± 0,48 g) do que com as fórmulas infantis de soja (0,79 ± 0,20 g) e de leite de vaca (0,42 ± 0,17 g). A umidade fecal foi maior (p < 0,001) na bebida de extrato de soja (47,28 ± 9,02%) e fórmula infantil de soja (37,21 ± 13,20%) do que na fórmula infantil de leite de vaca (22,71 ± 10,86%). CONCLUSÃO: O crescimento de ratos alimentados com bebida de soja e fórmula infantil de soja foi menor do que os alimentados com fórmula com proteína do leite de vaca. A bebida à base de extrato de soja proporcionou aumento expressivo do peso e da umidade fecal. .