Affects of genistein on cardiovascular damage at hyperlipidemic rats

Cardiovascular diseases (especially atherosclerosis) and their complications are one ofthe most common causes of death in the world. Hypercholesterolemia has an important role inthe development of cardivascular diseases. It has been proved that also the kind of dietaryprotein influence the levels of serum cholesterol. It has been reported that soya protein, whenit is used instead of animal protein totally or partly, decreases blood lipid. This study has beenplanned to investigate the influence of genistein, which is an antioxidant in soya, on thecardiovascular system and blood lipid in rats.The rats have been separated into four groups. The first group with a normal diet, thesecond group with high fat diet and also adding genistein to these two groups,third and fourthgroups have been formed. Changes at blood lipid profile in the control group has been seenafter the addition of genistein, the levels of LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglyceridehas been decreased and the level of HDL cholesterol has been increased. This alteration ismore prominent in the high fat diet group. It has been seen that the levels of malondialdehyde,which is the product of lipid peroxidation, increases in the plasma, aorta and heart tissue of thecontrol group, decreases in high fat diet group after adding of genistein to their diet. Also theaddition of genistein, especially to the diet of high fat diet group has positive influence on thelipid profile and lipid peroxidation products which constitutes risk for atherosclerosis.In conclusion, since atherosclerosis begins in early age, it have been beneficial to addsoya, which is rich in genistein, into formulas and diet beginning from infancy to preventincreasing risks of cardiovascular diseases in later periods of life.