Soy May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer 30361

Soy May Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

FORT COLLINS, Colo.Consuming a diet rich in soy may help preventprostate cancer, according to a study published in the April issue of Biologyof Reproduction (70, 4:1188-95, 2004) (www.biolreprod.org). When soy isdigested, a molecule called equol is created in the intestine that blocks DHT, apotent androgen connected to prostate cancer growth.

The molecule does not prevent DHT from being produced; rather, it preventsDHT from functioning by inhibiting it from attaching to androgen receptors. Directlybinding and inactivating DHT without influencing testosterone gives equol theability to reduce many of the harmful effects of androgens without affecting thebeneficial ones, said Robert J. Handa, Ph.D., senior author of the study. Thenovelty of equol is that it both inhibits androgren hormone and influencesestrogen hormone action, added Edwin Lephart, Ph.D., another study author.We do not know of any other molecule that possesses these importantbiochemical properties.

Researchers studied equols effects in male rats with testes and male ratsthat had testes removed. When administered to intact male rats for four to sevendays, equol reduced ventral prostate and epididymal weight. When administered torats without testes (eliminating all DHT production), soy had no effect; whenadministered with DHT, equol prevented DHT from functioning as it normally wouldasa stimulator of prostate growth.

Further studies have been begun by the researchers to assess equolspotential as a treatment for other androgen-mediated conditions; the researchershave filed patent applications on equol and hope to commercialize thetechnology.