Determinants of serum enterolactone concentration

The lignan enterolactone, which is produced by the intestinal microflora from dietary precursors, may protect against hormone-dependent cancers and cardiovascular diseases. We examined the cross-sectional associations between the serum enterolactone concentration and variables related to diet and he...

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Published in:The American journal of clinical nutrition 2001-06, Vol.73 (6), p.1094-1100
Main Authors: KILKKINEN, Annamari, PIRJO PIETINEN, Katariina Stumpf, VALSTA, Liisa M, TAPANAINEN, Heli, ADLERCREUTZ, Herman
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
4-Butyrolactone - analogs & derivatives
4-Butyrolactone - blood
Adult
Anthropometry
Biological and medical sciences
Body Mass Index
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diet
Educational Status
Feeding. Feeding behavior
Female
Finland
Fluoroimmunoassay
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Health Status
Hormones
Humans
Lignans - blood
Male
Middle Aged
Preventive medicine
Regression Analysis
Smoking
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
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Summary:The lignan enterolactone, which is produced by the intestinal microflora from dietary precursors, may protect against hormone-dependent cancers and cardiovascular diseases. We examined the cross-sectional associations between the serum enterolactone concentration and variables related to diet and health in Finnish adults. Serum enterolactone was measured by using time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay in 2380 Finnish men and women aged 25-64 y who were participating in a cross-sectional national survey in 1997. Background information was collected with self-administered questionnaires and the diet was assessed with a food-frequency questionnaire. The median serum enterolactone concentration was 13.8 nmol/L (range: 0-95.6 nmol/L) in men and 16.6 nmol/L (range: 0-182.6 nmol/L) in women. Multiple regression analyses showed positive associations in men between the serum enterolactone concentration and constipation, consumption of whole-grain products, and intake of fruit and berries. In women, the serum enterolactone concentration was positively and independently associated with consumption of vegetables, subject age, and constipation and was negatively associated with smoking. Furthermore, female subjects of normal weight had significantly higher serum enterolactone concentrations than did their underweight or obese peers. The serum enterolactone concentration varies widely in the population. Of the variables we examined, the most important determinants of the serum enterolactone concentration were consumption of lignan-containing foods and constipation; however, these appeared to explain only a small part of the variation. Therefore, the role of gut microflora in the metabolism of lignans might be very important. Further studies will also be needed to determine the bioavailability and absorption rate of lignans.
ISSN:0002-9165
1938-3207
DOI:10.1093/ajcn/73.6.1094