Helayne Soares de Freitas

Dr. Helayne Soares de Freitas


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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KGKaren Rego Gregorio
Karen Rego Gregorio
Caroline Pancera LaurindoCaroline Pancera Laurindo
Caroline Pancera Laurindo
HFHelayne Soares de Freitas
Helayne Soares de Freitas
MOMaristela Mitiko Okamoto
Maristela Mitiko Okamoto
PSPatrícia Monteiro Monteiro Seraphim
Patrícia Monteiro Monteiro Seraphim
UMUbiratan Machado
Ubiratan Machado
Daidzein and genistein are abundant in soy-rich foods, whose supplementation has been proposed to have beneficial effects on several diseases, including diabetes mellitus and obesity. 17β-estradiol (E2) enhances the expression of the Slc2a4 gene and GLUT4 protein in adipose tissue, increasing glucose consumption and contributing to glycemic control. We investigated, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, the effect of low and high doses of daidzein and genistein on Slc2a4/GLUT4 expression and the participation of estrogen receptors 1/2 (ESR1/ESR2) in the regulations observed. Differentiated adipocytes were cultivated, for 24 h, in the presence of 17β-estradiol (E2, 10 nM), daidzein (10 nM–150 μM) and genistein (10 nM–50 μM), with or without ESR1 or ESR2 antagonists. Daidzein/genistein at a low dose (10 nM) increased Slc2a4/GLUT4 expression (50%, p < 0.05), an effect abrogated by an ESR1 antagonist, mimicking the effect of E2. However, maximal doses of daidzein and genistein reduced, in a ESR1-mediated mechanism, the expression of mRNA (by 47% and 60%, p < 0.001) and the protein (by 29% and 36%, p < 0.01), respectively, for daidzein and genistein, as compared to E2. In conclusion, in adipocytes, daidzein and genistein have a biphasic ESR1-mediated effect: while low concentrations increase the expression of Slc2a4/GLUT4, high concentrations decrease it, the former predisposing to an adipogenic effect, the latter to a diabetogenic condition.