Daidzein improves insulin resistance in ovariectomized rats.

ABSTRACTObjective To determine whether daidzein improves insulin resistance by modifying weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, blood lipids and serum cytokines levels in ovariectomized Sprague–Dawley rats.Materials and methods Twenty-eight 12-week-old female rats were divided into three groups: the sham-operated group (SHAM) (n =10), the ovariectomized group receiving daidzein therapy (DAID) (n =10), and the ovariectomized control group (Control) (n =8). The rats in the DAID group received 50 mg/kg daidzein via gavage daily. Weight and food intake were recorded every 2 weeks. All of the animals were euthanized 12 weeks after ovariectomy, after which their fasting insulin, glucose, blood lipids, estradiol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), adiponectin and leptin levels were measured.Results After 12 weeks, the ovariectomized rats demonstrated an increase in their body weight and visceral fat; compared to the SHAM rats, the ovariectomized rats also experienced a significant increase i...