Effects of genistein on NT-κB in aortas of ovariectomized rats

AIM: To investigate the effect of genistein on the expression of NF -κB p65 in aortas of ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated (control), ovariectomized (OVX) , ovariectomized with 17 β-estradiol replacement (OVX + E2), ovariectomized with genistein replacement (OVX + GST) group. Six weeks after treatment, the rats were killed and the expression of NF-κB p65 in the aorta was observed by immunohisto-chemistry. RESULTS: The expression of NF -κB p65 was much more in OVX aortas than that in control aortas ( P 0.05), while being much less in OVX + E2 and OVX + GST aortas. Pathological changes were found in aorta of the ovariectomized rats. CONCLUSION: Genistein inhibits the expression of NF-κB p65 in aortas of ovariectomized rats and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.