Genistein Induces Estrogen-Like Effects in Ovariectomized Rats but Fails to Increase Cardiac GLUT4 and Oxidative Stress

Abstract

This study aimed to determine whether a 2-week genistein treatment induced estrogen-like effects in ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague-Dawley rats, after 2 weeks of subcutaneous genistein injections (250 mg/kg of body weight/day). Uterine weight, uterine-to-body weight ratio, femur weight, and femur-to-body weight ratio were all significantly increased with genistein in OVX rats. Body weight was significantly decreased with genistein in OVX rats. Genistein had no effect on the weights of heart, heart-to-body ratio, and fat pad but significantly decreased heart rate and pulse pressure. Genistein had no effect on cardiac GLUT4 protein, oxidative stress, plasma glucose, nonesterified fatty acids, or low-density lipoprotein levels; however, plasma insulin levels were significantly increased. Our results show that a 2-week genistein treatment produced favorable estrogen-like effects on some physical and physiological characteristics in OVX rats. However, based on our experimental conditions, the effects of genistein were not associated with changes in cardiac GLUT4 or oxidative stress.