Diets high in selenium and isoflavones decrease androgen-regulated gene expression in healthy rat dorsolateral prostate
2008

Effects of Selenium and Isoflavones on Prostate Health in Rats

Sample size: 8 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Russell L Legg, Jessica R Tolman, Cameron T Lovinger, Edwin D Lephart, Kenneth D R Setchell, Merrill J Christensen

Primary Institution: Brigham Young University

Hypothesis

The combined effects of selenium and isoflavones will reduce androgen-regulated gene expression in rat prostate.

Conclusion

High selenium and isoflavones together may provide a greater protective effect against prostate cancer than either alone.

Supporting Evidence

  • High selenium intake reduced expression of the androgen receptor.
  • High isoflavone intake decreased expression of several androgen-regulated genes.
  • The combination of high selenium and high isoflavones had a greater inhibitory effect on gene expression than either treatment alone.

Takeaway

Feeding rats a lot of selenium and soy can help protect their prostate from cancer better than just one of those things alone.

Methodology

Male Noble rats were fed diets with varying levels of selenium and isoflavones from conception to 200 days, and gene expression was analyzed.

Limitations

The study was conducted on rats, which may not fully represent human responses.

Participant Demographics

Male Noble rats

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.007

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1477-7827-6-57

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication