The Potential of Equol Conjugated Metabolites as Novel Neuroprotective Agents

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K05457
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38050:Food sciences-related
• Research Institution: Kyorin University
• Principal Investigator: Aki Obara 杏林大学, 保健学部, 助教 (40782701)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Equol / Isoflavone / LC-MS/MS / 抱合代謝物

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Equol (Eq) is a compound synthesized from daidzein by intestinal bacteria and is suggested to have potential preventive effects against dementia due to its neuroprotective properties. However, it is unclear whether Eq conjugated metabolites exist in the brain and whether they possess neuroprotective effects. To clarify these questions, this study first developed a simultaneous analytical method for eight types of Eq conjugated metabolites, including Eq. Using this analytical method, quantification revealed the presence of monoG, monoS, and E-7G-4’S in the brain. Furthermore, to investigate the neuroprotective effects, primary cultures of astrocytes from mice were prepared, and the NO suppression rate after LPS addition was examined. The results suggested that Eq conjugated metabolites have NO suppression effects and that Equol-7,4’-diG, E-7-S, and E-4’-G have stronger NO suppression effects than Eq.

Free Research Field

分析化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

Equolはダイゼインやゲニステインといったイソフラボンより強い女性ホルモン様作用を有しているために、注目されている。本研究では、Equol抱合代謝物の一斉分析法を開発し、マウス脳内には、脳内にはmonoG, monoS, Eq-7G-4’S のEquol抱合代謝物が存在し、さらに、Equol抱合代謝物が神経保護作用を有する可能性を明らかにした。これらは、抱合代謝物の更なる有用性が期待出来る。また、脳内の抱合代謝物を明らかにすることにより、脳内におけるUGTやSULTが関与する代謝機構の解明にも繋がる。