Isoflavones and the Coronary Circulation in Men and Women With Coronary Artery Disease

The Effect of Genistein (Supro®) on Coronary Artery Diameter and Blood Flow in Men and Women With Coronary Heart Disease

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of genistein administration on coronary arteries in humans. We will measure the size of a coronary artery and the speed and amount of blood flow in response after subjects have ingested Supro® drinks (a soy protein drink containing genistein).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 30-75 years
• Patients requiring diagnostic coronary angiography
• Presence of coronary artery disease on angiogram but with at least one non-obstructed (lesions <70% narrowed compared with the adjacent normal part of the vessel) atheromatous vessel (confirmed at diagnostic cardiac catheterisation)
• Female patients must be postmenopausal (FSH>40 IU/L)
• Willing to give informed, written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age <30 or >75 years
• Allergy to radiographic contrast media
• Sino-atrial disease or significant bradycardia
• Concomitant medication with persantin (dipyridamole) or theophyllines
• Asthma
• Hypertension
• Left ventricular hypertrophy or dysfunction (clinical/ECG/echo/CXR)
• Female patients with FSH<40 IU/L (postmenopausal)
• Female patients currently taking hormone therapy, or who have taken hormone therapy in previous 6 months
• Unwilling to give written informed consent
• Participation in another study within previous 60 days