Soy Supplementation and Role of Equol Production Capability in Postmenopausal Women Using Tibolone: Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Markers

............................................................................................ 9 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................... 11 REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.................................................................. 13 Menopause............................................................................... 13 Cardiovascular diseases................................................................ 15 Estrogen deficiency...................................................................... 15 Polycystic ovary syndrome and hyperandrogenism................ 16 Lipids..................................................................... 17 Hypertension............................................................. 18 Vascular inflammation.................................................. 19 Arterial stiffness and endothelial dysfunction........................ 20 Hormone therapy......................................................................... 23 Tibolone.................................................................................... 25 Metabolism and mode of action........................................ 25 Cardiovascular safety..................................................................... 28 Soy-derived isoflavones.................................................................. 30 Mechanism of action..................................................... 30 Equol....................................................................... 32 Effects on cardiovascular risk factors................................. 35 AIMS OF THE STUDY................................................................................. 38 SUBJECTS, MATERIALS AND METHODS....................................................... 39 Subjects and design........................................................................ 39