Genistein up-regulates the iron efflux system in glial cells

Astrocytes accumulate iron under chronic oxidative stress conditions in ageing and neurological disorders. The soybean isoflavone genistein possesses antioxidant properties and selective estrogen-like activities. Here, a possible role of genistein in modulation of iron transport was explored in glial cells. Genistein significantly increased iron export through estrogen receptor-β-dependent p38 MAPK activation. Evidence is presented that this effect is associated to a p38 MAPK-triggered up-regulation of the iron export system made by ceruloplasmin and ferroportin-1, a pathway requiring activation of the transcription factor C/EBP.