Genistein for Glycolipid Metabolism in Postmenopausal Women: a Meta-analysis

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of genistein on glycolipid metabolism in postmenopausal women.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched and relevant reports were hand-screened. We included only randomized controlled trials of isolated genistein for glycolipid metabolism. The primary outcome for lipid metabolism included a changed value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and for glucose metabolism was a changed value of homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Secondary outcomes included a changed value of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting blood insulin (INS), and body mass index (BMI).

Results: Ten trials with 11 articles were included. The level of LDL-C was not decreased in the genistein group compared with the placebo group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] - 1.19, 0.02;  = 0.06). No statistical significance was found in subgroup analyses. HOMA-IR was obviously improved in the genistein group with SMD of -0.51 (95% CI -0.88, -0.14;  = 0.006). In subgroup analyses, HOMA-IR was improved more in women with BMI <30 kg/m and without metabolic disorders ( < 0.0001). For secondary outcomes, there were significant differences in total cholesterol, HDL-C, FBG, and INS, but not triglyceride or BMI.

Conclusions: Genistein was effective in ameliorating glycolipid metabolism by increasing HDL-C levels and decreasing total cholesterol levels and improving insulin sensitivity.