In this review the analysis of chemical structure of soybeans is given, are indicated and the outcomes of evaluation of medical and preventive efficiency of use soy and products of its processing in a feed of the patients with cardiovascular diseases on data of experimental researches and clinical natural observations are discussed.

Review. The analysis of a protein nutrition of Russia's population during last five years and ways of its rationalization are presented. The scientific background for prosperity of using of soy bean proteins, products of their processing and existing of products and half-finished products received from soy is given. Experimental data on biological value and bioavailability of soy bean proteins and results of clinical evaluation of curative and preventive effects of these various soy products are discussed.

Using indirect colorimetry, the authors demonstrated disordered energy metabolism at rest in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) with a moderate decompensation of metabolism: carbohydrate oxidation was reduced and fat and protein oxidation increased, this being aimed at maintenance of the basic metabolism within the normal range under conditions of insulin insufficiency. Improvement of common parameters of compensation during optimization of insulin therapy and therapeutic diets was associated with approximation of substrate oxidation structure and energetic structure of a diet, as well as with increased production of useful energy coupled with reduced oxygen consumption. Moreover, a positive correlation between insulin level and carbohydrate oxidation rate was revealed. Analysis of the effects of qualitative composition of protein showed a more rapid improvement of metabolism during metabolic diet, whereas during therapy with diets including soybean protein increase of metabolism efficacy is more manifest. Bioenergetic parameters may be used as criteria of the efficacy of IDDM treatment. Changes in these parameters not always correlate with the time course of routine criteria of compensation and provide supplementary information on a patient's metabolic status.

Twenty-one obese patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, 16 female and 5 male ones, were fed similar isocaloric rations, differing only by the share of substitution of the traditional protein products (0%, 60%, 30%, 45%) in the Danpro-S, Danpro-Fibre soybean protein concentrate. The parameters tested were daily glycemia, C-peptides, blood hydrocortisone, and urinary excretion of nitrous metabolites. Indirect calorimetry was used to assess the protein, fat, and carbohydrate oxidation rates at rest. Addition of proteins of a plant origin to the diets of such patients was associated with significant changes of the energy metabolism at rest at the expense of increased oxidation of carbohydrates and reduced protein catabolism, that may be regarded as a favorable effect. In this patient population a 30% soybean diet brings about an almost maximal positive effect in patients with the first degree of obesity, whereas in those with the second degree of obesity such effect is attained by the 45% soybean diet.

Designs of 2 types of dried balanced food mixtures ("Unipit-1" and "Unipit-2") intended for complete recovery nutrition of patients with retained and disordered digestive function have been validated. The chemical composition of these products has been presented. The results of clinical trials have proved the high therapeutic effectiveness of "Unipit-1" and "Unipit-2" in rehabilitation of neurosurgical patients.

Designs of 2 types of dried balanced food mixtures (Unipit-1 and Unipit-2) intended for complete recovery nutrition of patients with retained and disordered digestive function have been validated. The chemical composition of these products has been presented. The results of clinical trials have proved the high therapeutic effectiveness of Unipit-1 and Unipit-2 in rehabilitation of neurosurgical patients.

To improve amino acid composition and to rise the sum of sulfur-containing amino acids, 5 samples of milk protein with varying ratios of casein and serum proteins (24:76; 45:55; 61:39; 73:27; 94:6) were prepared with the use of the membrane technology under conditions of experimental production. Biological experiments conducted with the use of "growth" and "balance" methods have shown a rise of biological value with the increasing of serum protein share reaching its maximum value at a ratio of 61:39. Further elevation of the serum protein share (73:27; 94:6) led to a decrease of biological value. Advantages are stressed of the membrane technology in the production of high-quality milk products.

The experimental investigation of the food value of wheat germ floc included the study of their chemical composition, biological value, and assimilability of the protein. Basing on the results obtained the authors have made a conclusion on the high food value of wheat germ floc and on their promising use as enriching additives to varying foodstuffs.

Excretion of total nitrogen with urine and feces was studied and the value of nitrogen balance was calculated in young male volunteers under conditions of complete starvation or receiving protein-free rations of varying energy value. The data obtained were computerized and equations were derived permitting prognosis of the amount of daily excretion of endogenous nitrogen with urine and feces at different time and at any level of energy consumption.

A comparative clinical evaluation was made of the biological effectiveness of protein components in the composition of three types of diet for patients with fractures of the mandible who had received "Ensure" (USA), a product for complete tube feeding; an experimental sample developed at the Institute of Nutrition, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR; and a routine clinical diet. The biological effectiveness of the proteins was estimated by some anthropometric and biochemical parameters as well as on the basis of nitrogenous metabolism in the patients. It has been established that the protein content in the routine clinical diets does not meet the high requirements in amino acids of patients with fracture of the mandible. In this respect the products for tube and dietotherapy have proved to be effective and completely provide the need of such patients in essential amino acids that has been evidenced by the results of the investigations conducted.

Eight male volunteers were examined for the functions of T and B lymphocytes (blast transformation reaction, leukocyte migration inhibition test, lymphocyte cytotoxicity, suppressor activity, measurement of IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE in blood serum, and concentration of natural staphylococcal antibodies) in the background of varying protein supply of the body. Reduction of the protein quota (5 to 9 g/day according to nitrogen) in the diet led to inhibition of the activity of immunocompetent cells.

The authors review the theory of the development of meat products with the use of non-traditional protein sources. The main task that arises in the course of the development of combined meat products lies in the design of protein compositions whose biological value would not be inferior to that common to proteins contained by meat or to that common to an ideal protein. The authors discuss 2 varieties of combined meat products. Provide examples of calculating the amino acid content in these products. The first variety based on the replacement principle consists in the utilization of amino acid reserves in meat proteins, thereby enabling the introduction into meat products of certain amounts of less valuable proteins. The second variety is based on the design of preliminarily developed protein compositions in which the amino acid content is balanced at the expense of mutual protein enrichment.

The tolerance and assimilability of protein hydrolysates of soybean and casein were studied and compared in 11 volunteers. Both proteins appeared to be highly effective, the tolerance of soybean hydrolysate being slightly worse in individual subjects.