Soy Protein Intake, Cardiovascular Risks, CRP-Level and Kidney Function Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Nephropathy

Background: There are few reports regarding the effect of long-term soy protein consumption among type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. This study was conducted to elucidate the effects of soy consumption for a long period of time on cardiovascular risks, C-reactive protein (CRP) and kidney function indexes among type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Materials & Methods: This long-term randomized clinical trial was conducted among 41 type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy (18 men and 23 women). Twenty patients in the soy protein group consumed a diet containing 0.8 g protein/kg body weight (35% animal proteins, 35% textured soy protein, and 30% vegetable proteins) and 21 patients in the control group consumed a similar diet containing 70% animal proteins and 30% vegetable proteins for 4 years.

Results: Soy protein consumption significantly improved cardiovascular risks such as fasting plasma glucose (mean change in the soy protein versus control groups: −18 ± 3 vs. 11 ± 2 mg/dl P = 0.03), total cholesterol (−23 ± 5 vs. 10 ± 3 mg/dl P = 0.01), LDL cholesterol (−20 ± 5 vs. 6 ± 2 mg/dl P = 0.01), triglyceride (−24 ± 6 vs. −5 ± 2 mg/dl P = 0.01) and serum CRP (1.31 ± 0.6 vs. 0.33 ± 0.1 mg/l P = 0.02) concentrations. Significant reductions were also seen in proteinuria (−0.15 ± 0.03 vs. 0.02 ± 0.01 g/day P = 0.001) and urinary creatinine (−1.5 ± 0.9 vs. 0.6 ± 0.3 mg/dl, P = 0.01) by consumption of soy protein.

Conclusion: Long-term soy protein consumption has beneficial effects on cardiovascular risk factors and kidney-related biomarkers among type 2 diabetic patients with nephropathy. [ZJRMS, 2012 14(2): 31-38]