Effect of exercise training combined with phytoestrogens on adipokines and C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women: a randomized trial

Abstract Phytoestrogens and training could be effective to reduce cardiovascular and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk factors in postmenopausal women. Nevertheless, the impact of their combination on adipokines and systemic inflammation was never investigated. The objective was to verify if 6 months of mixed training combined with phytoestrogens could have an additional effect on adipokine levels and systemic inflammation in obese postmenopausal women. Fifty-two obese women aged between 50 and 70 years were randomly assigned to (1) exercise with placebo (EX + PL; n = 25) or (2) exercise with phytoestrogens (EX + PHY; n = 27). Body weight, waist circumference, fat mass, and lean body mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were assessed. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin, adiponectin, leptin, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were obtained after a 12-hour overnight fast. Total energy intake was measured with a 3-day dietary record. All measurements were performed before and after the 6-month intervention. Although energy intake remained unchanged, body composition was improved in all women (all P s < .02). Plasma CRP and leptin levels decreased in both groups similarly (all P s < .03), whereas plasma adiponectin and insulin did not change with exercise combined with placebo or phytoestrogens. Correlation analyses showed that homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance ( r = −0.58, P = .02) and fasting insulin levels ( r = −0.42, P = .02) at baseline were both correlated with changes in leptin levels. Baseline fasting glucose ( r = −0.36, P = .03) and adiponectin ( r = 0.45, P = .005) levels were associated with changes in CRP concentrations. Although mixed exercise program combined with phytoestrogens does not seem to provide any additional effect, mixed training improves systemic inflammation and leptin concentrations in obese postmenopausal women.