Efeitos do tratamento prolongado com isoflavonas de soja no útero, mamas, tecidos adiposo e ósseo de ratas ovariectomizadas

Abstract

Menopause, physiological phenomenon that occurs in all women, average age 51, is accompanied by about 80% of cases symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, irritability and insomnia, which affect the quality of life and socioeconomic productivity women's, and predispose them to chronic degenerative diseases such as atherosclerosis, obesity and cardiovascular disorders. The hormone replacement therapy based on estrogen, which aims to reduce the discomforts of menopause is associated with an increased risk of endometrial and breast cancer, as has been shown in scientific studies. Whereas that women, consuming soy, had lower rates of chronic degenerative diseases and cancer at rates lower than those of Western countries, soy isoflavones have been tested in clinical and experimental studies, but with contradictory results. The present study investigated the effect of chronic administration of soy isoflavones on the uterus, breast, bone and adipose tissues from ovariectomized rats. Forty female Wistar rats were divided into four groups: a) ovariectomized: ISO group receiving soy isoflavones (100mg/kg/dia/vo); b) ovariectomized: EB group receiving estradiol benzoate (10μg/kg/dia/sc); c) ovariectomized: OVX group receiving saline (0.1 ml/100g/dia/vo); d) controls: FO group, receiving saline (0.1 ml/100g/dia/vo). Before and during the 90 days of treatment vaginal smears were analyzed to monitor the estrous cycle, given the body weight and food intake monitored weekly. After this period, the animals were anesthetized and blood was collected for analysis of serum estradiol and progesterone serum by radioimmunoassay, and lipid and glucose by spectrophotometry. Subsequently, the animals were euthanized and necropsied, collecting the uterus, breasts, intra-abdominal fat and femur for macroscopic exam and weighing. The tissues selected for the study were stained with HE and analyzed by light microscopy and histomorphometry, in order to investigated possible changes in cell growth (NIH Image software VS-J;-optronics CCD digital images). In the group treated with isoflavones a decrease in body weight decreased compared OVX in which there was an increase in weight compared to the false-operated animals. Macroscopically, the uterus weight was lower in ISO group, similar to the OVX group. Furthermore, no change was showed in the histopathology of endometrial glands between ISO and OVX groups. The EB group showed glandular proliferation, pseudo-stratified epithelium, frequent mitoses typical squamous metaplasia, and eosinophilic infiltrate and hidrometry. The estradiol concentration in the ISO group was similar to OVX. However, EB group showed increase in estradiol and uterine weight in relation to OVX. No differences in mammary histomorphometry were observed among the four groups. Fat abdominal tissue weight was lower in ISO group compared with OVX group but, no morphological changes were seen on microscopy, only a cellular hipertrophy confirmed by histomorphometry. Although there were no differences in the glucose concentration, total cholesterol and triglycerides among groups, the cholesterol-HDL was increased in the group ISO. There was no difference in femur density among the groups. These results indicate that chronic treatment with soy isoflavones, at the tested dose did not induce significant changes in the uterus, breast, bone and adipose tissues, suggesting safety in handling without risk for development of cancer.