Genistein supplementation prevents weight gain but promotes oxidative stress and inflammation in the vasculature of female obese ob/ob mice

Obesity, a state of chronic low-grade inflammation, is strongly associated with the development of hypertension and diabetes. Superoxide, a free radical elevated in obese individuals, promotes hypertension through scavenging the endogenous vasodilator nitric oxide. The hypothesis was a genistein-enriched diet would promote weight loss and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the vasculature of intact female ob/ob mice. Aortas and mesenteric arteries were isolated from female ob/ob mice fed genistein-free (0 mg genistein/kg diet; n=6), standard chow (200-300 mg genistein/kg diet; n=11) or genistein-enriched (600 mg genistein/kg diet; n=9) diets for 4 weeks.

Source: Nutrition Research - March 31, 2016 Category: Nutrition Authors: Anna Simperova, Layla Al-Nakkash, James J. Faust, Karen L. Sweazea Source Type: research