Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, Vol 7, Issue 2 135-140, Copyright © 1998 by American Association for Cancer Research

ARTICLES

Isoflavonoid levels in spot urine are associated with frequency of dietary soy intake in a population-based sample of middle-aged and older Chinese in Singapore

A Seow, CY Shi, AA Franke, JH Hankin, HP Lee and MC Yu
Department of Community, Occupational and Family Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.

Soy products contain high amounts of isoflavonoids, which have been shown to exhibit possible cancer-protective properties. Chinese populations in Asia, in particular, have a high level of soy intake and a relatively low risk of hormone-dependent cancers. In this study, we assessed the distributions of dietary soy isoflavonoids (daidzein, genistein, and glycitein) and urinary soy isoflavonoids and their metabolites (daidzein, genistein, glycitein, equol, and O-desmethylangolensin) among 147 Singapore Chinese (76 men and 71 women) ages 45-74 years, who are participants of the Singapore Cohort Study on diet and cancer. Urinary values were measured from spot samples collected 10-20 months following recruitment, when usual dietary habits were assessed by a structured food frequency/portion size questionnaire administered in person. Dietary levels of daidzein and genistein were comparable within individuals and about seven times higher than the level of dietary glycitein. All three dietary isoflavonoids showed an approximately 3.5-fold difference between the 25th and 75th percentile values. Similarly, daidzein was the most abundant and glycitein the least abundant of the five isoflavonoid compounds in urine. There was a 4.9-fold difference between the 25th and 75th percentile values for the sum of the five urinary isoflavonoids. Among study subjects, there were statistically significant, dose-dependent associations between frequency of overall soy intake and levels of urinary daidzein (two-sided P = 0.03) and sum of urinary daidzein, genistein, and glycitein (two-sided P = 0.04). In contrast, there were no associations between frequency of overall soy intake and levels of the two daidzein metabolites (equol and O-desmethylangolensin) in urine (two-sided P = 0.85 and 0.34, respectively). We suggest that within the range of exposures experienced by Singapore Chinese, urinary level of daidzein or the sum of daidzein, genistein, and glycitein obtained from a spot sample can serve as a biomarker of current soy consumption in epidemiological studies of diet-disease associations.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				K. Jaceldo-Siegl, G. E Fraser, J. Chan, A. Franke, and J. Sabate Validation of soy protein estimates from a food-frequency questionnaire with repeated 24-h recalls and isoflavonoid excretion in overnight urine in a Western population with a wide range of soy intakes Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2008; 87(5): 1422 - 1427. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. C. Tan, W.-P. Koh, J.-M. Yuan, R. Wang, W.-L. Au, J. H. Tan, E.-K. Tan, and M. C. Yu Differential Effects of Black versus Green Tea on Risk of Parkinson's Disease in the Singapore Chinese Health Study Am. J. Epidemiol., March 1, 2008; 167(5): 553 - 560. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. C. Stern, D. V. Conti, K. D. Siegmund, R. Corral, J.-M. Yuan, W.-P. Koh, and M. C. Yu DNA Repair Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Colorectal Cancer and their Role as Modifiers of the Effect of Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol in the Singapore Chinese Health Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., November 1, 2007; 16(11): 2363 - 2372. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S.-A. Lee, W. Wen, Y.-B. Xiang, S. Barnes, D. Liu, Q. Cai, W. Zheng, and X. O. Shu Assessment of Dietary Isoflavone Intake among Middle-Aged Chinese Men J. Nutr., April 1, 2007; 137(4): 1011 - 1016. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. S. Touillaud, A. C.M. Thiebaut, M. Niravong, M.-C. Boutron-Ruault, and F. Clavel-Chapelon No Association between Dietary Phytoestrogens and Risk of Premenopausal Breast Cancer in a French Cohort Study Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2006; 15(12): 2574 - 2576. [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. A Franke, B. M Halm, L. J Custer, Y. Tatsumura, and S. Hebshi Isoflavones in breastfed infants after mothers consume soy. Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, August 1, 2006; 84(2): 406 - 413. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Zamora-Ros, M. Urpi-Sarda, R. M. Lamuela-Raventos, R. Estruch, M. Vazquez-Agell, M. Serrano-Martinez, W. Jaeger, and C. Andres-Lacueva Diagnostic Performance of Urinary Resveratrol Metabolites as a Biomarker of Moderate Wine Consumption Clin. Chem., July 1, 2006; 52(7): 1373 - 1380. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y.-L. Low, J. I. Taylor, P. B. Grace, M. Dowsett, E. Folkerd, D. Doody, A. M. Dunning, S. Scollen, A. A. Mulligan, A. A. Welch, et al. Polymorphisms in the CYP19 Gene May Affect the Positive Correlations between Serum and Urine Phytoestrogen Metabolites and Plasma Androgen Concentrations in Men J. Nutr., November 1, 2005; 135(11): 2680 - 2686. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y.-L. Low, J. I. Taylor, P. B. Grace, M. Dowsett, S. Scollen, A. M. Dunning, A. A. Mulligan, A. A. Welch, R. N. Luben, K.-T. Khaw, et al. Phytoestrogen Exposure Correlation with Plasma Estradiol in Postmenopausal Women in European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition-Norfolk May Involve Diet-Gene Interactions Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 2005; 14(1): 213 - 220. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. Bhakta, I. dos Santos Silva, C. Higgins, L. Sevak, T. Kassam-Khamis, P. Mangtani, H. Adlercreutz, and A. McMichael A Semiquantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire Is a Valid Indicator of the Usual Intake of Phytoestrogens by South Asian Women in the UK Relative to Multiple 24-h Dietary Recalls and Multiple Plasma Samples J. Nutr., January 1, 2005; 135(1): 116 - 123. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. Butler, W.-P. Koh, H.-P. Lee, M. C. Yu, and S. J. London Dietary Fiber and Reduced Cough with Phlegm: A Cohort Study in Singapore Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., August 1, 2004; 170(3): 279 - 287. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Manach, A. Scalbert, C. Morand, C. Remesy, and L. Jimenez Polyphenols: food sources and bioavailability Am. J. Clinical Nutrition, May 1, 2004; 79(5): 727 - 747. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. B. Grace, J. I. Taylor, Y.-L. Low, R. N. Luben, A. A. Mulligan, N. P. Botting, M. Dowsett, A. A. Welch, K.-T. Khaw, N. J. Wareham, et al. Phytoestrogen Concentrations in Serum and Spot Urine as Biomarkers for Dietary Phytoestrogen Intake and Their Relation to Breast Cancer Risk in European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition-Norfolk Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., May 1, 2004; 13(5): 698 - 708. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Wu, M. C. Yu, C.-C. Tseng, N. C. Twaddle, and D. R. Doerge Plasma isoflavone levels versus self-reported soy isoflavone levels in Asian-American women in Los Angeles County Carcinogenesis, January 1, 2004; 25(1): 77 - 81. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Yamamoto, T. Sobue, M. Kobayashi, S. Sasaki, and S. Tsugane Soy, Isoflavones, and Breast Cancer Risk in Japan J Natl Cancer Inst, June 18, 2003; 95(12): 906 - 913. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. D. R. Setchell, N. M. Brown, P. B. Desai, L. Zimmer-Nechimias, B. Wolfe, A. S. Jakate, V. Creutzinger, and J. E. Heubi Bioavailability, Disposition, and Dose-Response Effects of Soy Isoflavones When Consumed by Healthy Women at Physiologically Typical Dietary Intakes J. Nutr., April 1, 2003; 133(4): 1027 - 1035. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. W. Lampe Isoflavonoid and Lignan Phytoestrogens as Dietary Biomarkers J. Nutr., March 1, 2003; 133(3): 956S - 964. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. H. Wu, F. Z. Stanczyk, A. Seow, H.-P. Lee, and M. C. Yu Soy Intake and Other Lifestyle Determinants of Serum Estrogen Levels among Postmenopausal Chinese Women in Singapore Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., September 1, 2002; 11(9): 844 - 851. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. W. Jakes, S. W. Duffy, F.-C. Ng, F. Gao, E.-H. Ng, A. Seow, H.-P. Lee, and M. C. Yu Mammographic Parenchymal Patterns and Self-reported Soy Intake in Singapore Chinese Women Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., July 1, 2002; 11(7): 608 - 613. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Atkinson, H. E. Skor, E. D. Fitzgibbons, D. Scholes, C. Chen, K. Wahala, S. M. Schwartz, and J. W. Lampe Overnight Urinary Isoflavone Excretion in a Population of Women Living in the United States, and Its Relationship to Isoflavone Intake Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., March 1, 2002; 11(3): 253 - 260. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Yamamoto, T. Sobue, S. Sasaki, M. Kobayashi, Y. Arai, M. Uehara, H. Adlercreutz, S. Watanabe, T. Takahashi, Y. Iitoi, et al. Validity and Reproducibility of a Self-Administered Food-Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Isoflavone Intake in a Japanese Population in Comparison with Dietary Records and Blood and Urine Isoflavones J. Nutr., October 1, 2001; 131(10): 2741 - 2747. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. L. Horn-Ross, E. M. John, M. Lee, S. L. Stewart, J. Koo, L. C. Sakoda, A. C. Shiau, J. Goldstein, P. Davis, and E. J. Perez-Stable Phytoestrogen Consumption and Breast Cancer Risk in a Multiethnic Population: The Bay Area Breast Cancer Study Am. J. Epidemiol., September 1, 2001; 154(5): 434 - 441. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Ursin, M. Wilson, B. E. Henderson, L. N. Kolonel, K. Monroe, H.-P. Lee, A. Seow, M. C. Yu, F. Z. Stanczyk, and E. Gentzschein Do Urinary Estrogen Metabolites Reflect the Differences in Breast Cancer Risk between Singapore Chinese and United States African-American and White Women? Cancer Res., April 1, 2001; 61(8): 3326 - 3329. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				K. Stumpf, P. Pietinen, P. Puska, and H. Adlercreutz Changes in Serum Enterolactone, Genistein, and Daidzein in a Dietary Intervention Study in Finland Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., December 1, 2000; 9(12): 1369 - 1372. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				L.-J. W. Lu, K. E. Anderson, J. J. Grady, F. Kohen, and M. Nagamani Decreased Ovarian Hormones during a Soya Diet: Implications for Breast Cancer Prevention Cancer Res., August 1, 2000; 60(15): 4112 - 4121. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				L. R. White, H. Petrovitch, G. W. Ross, K. Masaki, J. Hardman, J. Nelson, D. Davis, and W. Markesbery Brain Aging and Midlife Tofu Consumption J. Am. Coll. Nutr., April 1, 2000; 19(2): 242 - 255. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L.-J. W. Lu, M. Cree, S. Josyula, M. Nagamani, J. J. Grady, and K. E. Anderson Increased Urinary Excretion of 2-Hydroxyestrone but not 16{{alpha}}-Hydroxyestrone in Premenopausal Women during a Soya Diet Containing Isoflavones Cancer Res., March 1, 2000; 60(5): 1299 - 1305. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				S.-J. Su, T.-M. Yeh, H.-Y. Lei, and N.-H. Chow The Potential of Soybean Foods as a Chemoprevention Approach for Human Urinary Tract Cancer Clin. Cancer Res., January 1, 2000; 6(1): 230 - 236. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. W. Lampe, D. R. Gustafson, A. M. Hutchins, M. C. Martini, S. Li, K. Wähälä, G. A. Grandits, J. D. Potter, and J. L. Slavin Urinary Isoflavonoid and Lignan Excretion on a Western Diet: Relation to Soy, Vegetable, and Fruit Intake Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., August 1, 1999; 8(8): 699 - 707. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				P. FANTI, B. P. SAWAYA, L. J. CUSTER, and A. A. FRANKE Serum Levels and Metabolic Clearance of the Isoflavones Genistein and Daidzein in Hemodialysis Patients J. Am. Soc. Nephrol., April 1, 1999; 10(4): 864 - 871. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				W. Zheng, Q. Dai, L. J. Custer, X.-O. Shu, W.-Q. Wen, F. Jin, and A. A. Franke Urinary Excretion of Isoflavonoids and the Risk of Breast Cancer Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., January 1, 1999; 8(1): 35 - 40. [Abstract] [Full Text]