The effect of soy protein on serum lipids in kidney transplant patients receiving rapamycin
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Abstract
Rapamycin, a recently approved immunosuppressant, is widely used in patients undergoing a kidney transplant. A considerable drawback to the use of rapamycin is that it can cause an elevation in serum levels of triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol. A study was carried out to determine if a liquid formula containing soy protein, as opposed to one with casein, would lower serum lipids in kidney transplant patients. In a cross-over design, 10 subjects were given either a soy formula or a casein formula for 2 months and then the other formula for 2 months, with a 2 month washout period. The type of formula had no effect on serum levels of cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, or TG. Thus, soy protein was not effective in lowering serum lipids in this population.