Trabajo presentado en la ENGIHR Conference 2013 (The Intestinal Microbiota and Gut Health: Contribution of the Diet, Bacterial Metabolites, Host Interactions and Impact on Health and Disease), celebrada en Valencia del 18 al 20 de septiembre de 2013.It is well recognized that dietary isoflavones require the action of components of the intestinal microbiota for tran sformation and activation ( Crozier et al. , 2009; Kemperman et al. , 2010 ) . On the other hand , as polyphenolics, isoflavones may also have an inhibitory effect on certain intestinal microbial groups. Identifying the microbial species involved in isoflavone a ctivation and metabolism w ill help in design ing strategies aimed to increase desirable populations, enhancing isoflavone activation and minimizing isoflavone degradation. Little is also known on the evolution of metabolic markers of (intestinal) health during isoflavone interventions. These aspects are critical for understanding the mechanisms through which their intake has beneficial effects in menopause symptoms ( Bolaños et al. , 2010; M essina, 2010 ) and other diseases ( Virk - Baker et al. , 2010; Bhupathy et al. , 2010 ) . In this study , we evaluated the effect of isoflavone s on faecal microbiota composition of 18 climacteric women receiving a daily treatment for six months with a dietary supp lement rich in soy isoflavones (Fisiogen, Zambon). Identification and quantification of equol, an isoflavone metabolite, in urine during the treatment was also monitored.Peer Reviewe
