In utero and postnatal exposure to a phytoestrogen-enriched diet increases parameters of acute inflammation in a rat model of TNBS-induced colitis

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is very common in Europe and USA. Its incidence in East Asia has been traditionally low, albeit the risk of IBD increases in Asian immigrants adopting western lifestyles, suggesting a strong role of environmental/dietary factors in IBD. A lifelong exposure to phytoestrogen-rich diets has been associated with a decreased risk of developing breast cancer and might also be protective against IBD. We studied the influence of in utero and postnatal exposure to a phytoestrogen (PE)-rich diet on acute inflammation in an animal model of TNBS-induced colitis. Wistar rats were exposed in utero and postnatally to high (genistein: 240 μg/g feed; daidzein: 232 μg/g feed) or very low levels (genistein and daidzein