Soy Supplementation and Gestational Diabetes

Gestational Diabetes Clinical Trial

Official title: A Pilot Study of Soy Protein and Isoflavone Supplementation for Improved Glucose Metabolism and Lipid Profiles in Pregnant Women at High Risk for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of randomizing pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes to a 24-week period of soy food consumption. This study will also examine the effects of soy protein and isoflavones on glucose metabolism and lipid levels among pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes, and on child's weight and height at birth and 6 weeks of life.

Clinical Trial Description

Evidence from animal studies, human observational studies, and some randomized controlled trials has suggested that soy protein and isoflavones have beneficial effects on lipid and glucose metabolism. Additionally, soy isoflavones can diffuse across the placenta, enter fetal circulation and potentially reduce the susceptibility to cardiometabolic disorders in adulthood. Given the high prevalence of GDM and its serious health consequences for women and their children, and likely health benefits of soy protein and isoflavones on a panel of metabolic parameters, the role of maternal supplementation of soy protein and isoflavones for prevention of GDM and/or minimization of GDM severity in mothers and for improving health indicators in their offspring merits investigation.

This study will provide new and essential information about the efficacy and feasibility of using soy-based whole foods to prevent and manage gestational diabetes development. This study will be a randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Forty pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes will be recruited from the obstetrics services at the Melrose Wakefield Hospital and Tufts Medical Center, and randomized to receive soy-based foods or minimize soy intake, from the 16th gestational week to birth. To measure participants' compliance with the treatment, the study will use three methods: (1) monthly telephone interview about adherence to the treatment; (2) daily soy food intake log; and (3) serum isoflavone concentrations. To evaluate the effects of soy supplementation on GDM, the study will collect blood samples to measure glucose, insulin, HbA1c, and lipids (triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ). The study will also measure weight and body composition of participating pregnant women and the participants' respective children's weight, length and body composition. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Open Label, Primary Purpose: Prevention

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Diabetes, Gestational
• Gestational Diabetes

• NCT number: NCT02806739
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: University of Massachusetts, Boston
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 0
• Start date: January 2013
• Completion date: September 2016