Genistein for glycolipid metabolism in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of genistein on glycolipid metabolism in postmenopausal women. Electronic databases were searched and relevant reports were hand-screened. We included only randomized controlled trials of isolated genistein for glycolipid metabolism. The primary outcome for lipid metabolism included a changed value of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and for glucose metabolism was a changed value of homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Secondary outcomes included a changed value of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting blood insulin (INS), and body mass index (BMI). Ten trials with 11 articles were included. The level of LDL-C was not decreased in the genistein group compared with the placebo group (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI] − 1.19, 0.02; <i>p</i> = 0.06). No statistical significance was found in subgroup analyses. HOMA-IR was obviously improved in the genistein group with SMD of −0.51 (95% CI −0.88, −0.14; <i>p</i> = 0.006). In subgroup analyses, HOMA-IR was improved more in women with BMI &lt;30 kg/m² and without metabolic disorders (<i>p</i> Genistein was effective in ameliorating glycolipid metabolism by increasing HDL-C levels and decreasing total cholesterol levels and improving insulin sensitivity.