BIRMINGHAM, Ala.—Genistein appears to accelerate cataract onset and development in animals with a genetic propensity to cataract, according to a new study (Exp Eye Res. ePub 2010 Dec 10. DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2010.12.006). Researchers from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, examined how a genistein-containing dietary supplement (Novasoy®200, from ADM), and a genistein-containing food (soy protein isolate, PRO-FAM® 932, from ADM) impacted lens opacity in the hereditary cataractous ICR/f rat.
The animals were provided a semi-purified, isoflavone-free diet with casein as the protein source. The amount of genistein for the diets was standardized to its concentration (as genistein aglycone and simple and complex b-glucoside conjugates) in the supplement. The researchers also tested a high-dose genistein diet containing an 11-fold higher amount of genistein aglycone.
Each of the genistein-containing diets caused a significantly more rapid development of opacification in the anterior cortical region and development of apparent vacuoles in the posterior subcapsular region than then control diet. There was no significant difference observed between the low-dose and high-dose genistein groups. The researchers concluded genistein accelerated the early stages of cataractogenesis, but had little effect on later stages of cataract development.
