Effect of Glycine Max (Soybean) Consumption on Renal Functions and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate among University Students

Abstract

Background: Soybean (glycine max) exhibits potential therapeutic effects. Objectives: The effect of soybean consumption on renal functions was evaluated. Sodium (Na), potassium (K), chloride (Cl), urea (U), creatinine (Cr), uric acid (UA), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured among students. Materials and Methods: Thirty male students between 18 and 30 years were recruited. Participants abstained from soybeans and similar food consumption for three weeks. Each received 25g of soybean powder for 30 days in addition to their normal diet. A fasting blood sample was collected on days 0 and 31, and creatinine, urea, uric acid, electrolytes, and eGFR levels were determined. Systemic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), height, and weight were measured. The questionnaire obtained socio-demographic information. Urea, creatinine, and UA were measured colorimetrically before and after soybean consumption while electrolyte levels were by the ion-selective electrode. Data were analyzed with Paired student's t-tests and Pearson r correlation. Results: A significant increase existed in the mean plasma concentrations of sodium, potassium, and chloride after soybean consumption (139.79±3.69, 4.61±0.70, 102.79±3.69) compared with the baseline (137.53±3.54, 3.87±0.63, 100.53±3.54) (p<0.05) respectively, and significant decreases was observed in uric acid level, systolic and diastolic blood pressures after soybean consumption. Positive correlations were observed between SBP Vs DBP, SBP Vs eGFR, and DBP Versus eGFR, and negative correlations in DBP Vs Cr, BMI Vs K, eGFR Vs DBP, eGFR Vs Na, eGFR Vs Cl, and eGFR Vs Cr levels. Conclusions: Soybean consumption has a hypouricaemic effect, and is harmless to the kidney.