Team's research so far has demonstrated novel insulin-sensitizing effects of bioactive factors in soybeans. Result: Increased improvement in glucose tolerance. Also observed was an attenuation of fatty liver and dyslipidemia, similar to effects of antidiabetic drugs.

What is interesting: These soy components are even more effective than certain drugs in controlling specific diabetic complications.

Project

The new study seeks to understand these soy-induced effects. Results may well provide critical knowledge pertinent to the prevention and treatment of insulin-resistance. Further validation of these results through the proposed mechanistic studies may indicate that soy foods or soy-based components could reduce or prevent the need for costly prescription drugs.

Soy chemicals could also elicit the desired metabolic effects on specific genes and target tissues without undesirable effects on other tissues.

Objectives

The experiments will combine receptor binding studies, cell culture assays of receptor-mediated gene regulation, and evaluation of gene arrays for recognition of potential selective or tissue-specific activity.

1. Investigate key molecular mechanisms that may be responsible for the antidiabetic effects of soybean components.
2. Determine whether the effects of soy components result in similar or different effects on gene expression.

Impact

This research has significant potential in using the natural benefits of soy to address the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, the metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.