Wu had a hypothesis rooted in an earlier line of research. He had previously studied a compound called genistein — a naturally occurring, mildly estrogen-like substance found in soybeans — and found it to have notable anti-inflammatory properties. That work, published in the journal Cell in 2022, had shown genistein’s ability to protect blood vessels and heart tissue from a different kind of inflammatory insult.
The connection to myocarditis seemed plausible for several reasons. The condition disproportionately affects males, and estrogen is known to have anti-inflammatory effects. Genistein, which mimics estrogen only weakly, might offer some of those protective benefits without the hormonal side effects of stronger compounds.
Wu’s team ran a parallel series of experiments in which cells, cardiac spheroids, and mice were pretreated with genistein before being exposed to the vaccine or the CXCL10 and IFN-gamma combination. In each case, genistein significantly reduced the damaging effects on heart tissue.
The version of genistein used in these experiments was considerably purer and more concentrated than what is available in typical dietary supplements. Wu acknowledged this distinction while noting the compound’s fundamental safety profile. “Nobody ever overdosed on tofu,” he remarked.Continue reading…
