Isoflavone Metabolites Cis- and Trans-Tetrahydrodaidzein Improve Plasma Lipid Profile in Apolipoprotein(E)-Deficient Mice

Isoflavones have been suggested to have hypolipidemic effects. As these compounds undergo complex metabolism in the body, the biological actions of isoflavone metabolites are largely unknown. We studied the hypolipidemic effects of two isoflavone metabolites initially identified in the human urine, cis-tetrahydrodaidzein (NV-04) and transtetrahydrodaidzein (NV-05) in apolipoprotein(E)-deficient mice fed with a high-fat diet. NV-04 and NV-05 were mixed in the food (200 mg per kg) and the treatment lasted for 16 weeks. NV-04 decreased plasma levels of LDL by 30%, triglycerides by 65% and increased HDL/LDL ratio by 70%. These effects of NV-04 are specific since its stereoisomer NV-05 is less effective. Notably, the effects of NV-04 are observed in the absence of apolipoprotein(E), therefore our results suggest that using cis-tetrahydrodaidzein as a complimentary medicine in hyperlipidemic patients with apolipoprotein(E) dysfunctions warrants further investigations.