雌激素能够抑制神经细胞凋亡，植物激素作为雌激素替代物也能产生类似作用，染料木素是一种异黄酮，结构相似于17β-雌二醇，具有抗氧化性及对雌激素受体的高亲和性，是目前研究的主要植物雌激素。《中国神经再生研究（英文版）》杂志于2012年12月36期出版的一项关于“Effects of genistein on neuronal apoptosis, and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats”的研究显示，去卵巢雌鼠进行连续15周腹腔注射染料木素，可通过上调Bcl-2的表达，下调Bax的表达，减少去卵巢大鼠海马结构内神经元凋亡，且效果与17β-雌二醇相当。(生物谷Bioon.com)
doi:10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2012.36.004
PMC:
PMID:
Effects of genistein on neuronal apoptosis, and expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins in the hippocampus of ovariectomized rats
Yun Peng1, Bo Jiang1, Huiling Wu1, Ruchun Dai2, Liming Tan1
Genistein is one of several isoflavones that has a structure similar to 17β-estradiol, has a strong antioxidant effect, and a high affinity to estrogen receptors. At 15 weeks after ovariectomy, the expression of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus of rats decreased and Bax expression increased, with an obvious upregulation of apoptosis. However, intraperitoneal injection of genistein or 17β-estradiol for 15 consecutive weeks from the second day after operation upregulated Bcl-2 protein expression, downregulated Bax protein expression, and attenuated hippocampal neuron apoptosis. Our experimental findings indicate that long-term intervention with genistein can lead to a decrease in apoptosis in hippocampal neurons following ovariectomy, upregulate the expression of Bcl-2, and downregulate the expression of Bax. In addition, genistein and 17β-estradiol play equal anti-apoptotic and neuroprotective roles.
