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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Mar 14;129(5):759-770.
doi: 10.1017/S0007114522001787. Epub 2022 Jun 16.

Effects of whey and soy protein supplementation on inflammatory cytokines in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Konstantinos Prokopidis  1 , Mohsen Mazidi  2 , Rajiv Sankaranarayanan  3 , Behnam Tajik  4 , Anne McArdle  1 , Masoud Isanejad  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effects of whey and soy protein supplementation on inflammatory cytokines in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Konstantinos Prokopidis et al. Br J Nutr. .

Abstract

Background and aims: Low-grade inflammation is a mediator of muscle proteostasis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of isolated whey and soy proteins on inflammatory markers.

Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search of randomised controlled trials (RCT) through MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Library databases from inception until September 2021. To determine the effectiveness of isolated proteins on circulating levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6 and TNF-α, a meta-analysis using a random-effects model was used to calculate the pooled effects (CRD42021252603).

Results: Thirty-one RCT met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. A significant reduction of circulating IL-6 levels following whey protein [Mean Difference (MD): -0·79, 95 % CI: -1·15, -0·42, I2 = 96 %] and TNF-α levels following soy protein supplementation (MD: -0·16, 95 % CI: -0·26, -0·05, I2 = 68 %) was observed. The addition of soy isoflavones exerted a further decline in circulating TNF-α levels (MD: -0·20, 95 % CI: -0·31, -0·08, I2 = 34 %). According to subgroup analysis, whey protein led to a statistically significant decrease in circulating IL-6 levels in individuals with sarcopenia and pre-frailty (MD: -0·98, 95 % CI: -1·56, -0·39, I2 = 0 %). These findings may be dependent on participant characteristics and treatment duration.

Conclusions: These data support that whey and soy protein supplementation elicit anti-inflammatory effects by reducing circulating IL-6 and TNF-α levels, respectively. This effect may be enhanced by soy isoflavones and may be more prominent in individuals with sarcopenia.

Keywords: IL-6; Inflammation; Sarcopenia; Soy protein; TNF-α; Whey protein.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
PRISMA flowchart of literature search via databases and registers.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Effects of whey protein supplementation on (a) hs-CRP, (b) CRP, (c) TNF-α and (d) IL-6. CRP, C-reactive protein.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Effects of soy protein supplementation on (a) hs-CRP, (b) CRP, (c) TNF-α and (d) IL-6. CRP, C-reactive protein.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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