CHAMPAIGN, Ill.--Isolated soy protein (ISP) consumption reduces urinary albumin excretion and improves the serum lipid profile in men with Type II diabetes and nephropathy (kidney disease), according to a study published in the August issue of the Journal of Nutrition (134, 8:1874-1880, 2004) (www.ajcn.org).

The study, conducted at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), and Veterans Affairs Illiana Health Care System in Danville, researched the effects of adding ISP to the diet of 14 male military veterans between the ages of 53 and 73 who were under treatment for advanced stages of Type II diabetes and nephropathy. The patients were followed in a crossover design for seven months. The study comprised two eight-week intervention periods placed between a four-week lead-in and two four-week washout periods. During the two intervention periods, 0.5 g of dietary protein was provided as either ISP or casein (a milk protein), in random order. Blood and urine samples were collected at the beginning and end of each period.

The researchers observed the effects of ISP consumption on urinary albumin excretion, serum lipids, plasma amino acids and isoflavones. ISP was shown to exhibit several beneficial effects on renal function and improved serum lipids, including a significant reduction in unwanted proteins in urine, and a slight increase in beneficial HDL cholesterol levels. Those consuming ISP had a 9.5 percent reduction in urinary albumin excretion in the urine. Also, HDL cholesterol levels improved by 4.3 percent and overall cholesterol improved slightly in subjects consuming ISP.

The researchers concluded isolated protein consumption improves several markers that may be beneficial for type II diabetic patients with nephropathy.

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