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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01357070

Effect of Broccoli Sprout on Blood Levels of Sulforaphane to Reduce Responsiveness of Immune System

The investigators suggest that inducing anti-oxidant enzymes indirectly may be an effective means of providing vascular protection.

Sulforaphane, a naturally occurring compound found in green vegetables (including broccoli, brussel sprouts and cauliflower) is able to protect against cell inflammatory stress by inducing a number of anti-oxidant molecules. Targeted studies on the consumption of broccoli and related vegetables have been shown to be associated with reduced risk of coronary artery disease.

In the present study the investigators want to test whether the consumption of a "broccoli smoothie" containing sulforaphane can protect white blood cells from becoming activated in the presence of an experimental stress and how long this protective effect lasts for. To do this, the investigators will be analysing inflammatory changes in blood samples taken at different times during the study.

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Key information

Conditions

Healthy Volunteers

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Cardiovascular Medicine Research Unit, Hammersmith Hospital

London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom

About this study

Atherosclerosis is the disease process that leads to hardening of the arteries which causes them to become narrowed. This occurs because fat is first deposited on the inside walls of the arteries, then becomes hardened by fibrous tissue and calcium deposition forming a semi-hardened accumulation of material known as plaque. As this plaque grows, it narrows the channel within the artery and causes a reduction in blood and oxygen supply to the affected organ - such as the heart and brain. The investigators now understand that this process is caused by inflammation and activation of the immune cells over a period of time. It has been proposed that targeting these immune cells and reducing the levels of immune activation can protect against cardiovascular diseases.

Previously it has been observed that consumption of fruit and vegetables rich in anti-oxidants can confer a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. The use of anti-oxidants experimentally has shown protective benefits against activation.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Age 18+ years
  • Able to commit for the two week duration of the trial

Exclusion criteria

  • Age <18 years
  • Pregnancy
  • Vegetarian
  • History of allergy
  • Current smoker or smoking cessation within the last 3 months
  • Current use of inhaled, topical or systemic corticosteroids or within the last 2 weeks
  • Current use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory use or within the last 1 week
  • Current use of nutritional or multivitamin supplements
  • Current participation in any other Randomised controlled trial

Treatment and study plan

Brocco-sprout homogenate

Dietary Supplement

Participants will be asked to orally consume on three consecutive days a brocco-sprout homogenate (70g dry weight).

Alfalfa sprout homogenate

Dietary Supplement

Participants will be asked to orally consume on three consecutive days an alfalfa sprout homogenate.

Primary outcomes

  1. Resistance of leucocytes to inflammatory activation following an experimental stress

    Time frame: 24 hours after consumption of the third homogenate

    Participants will consume a brocco-sprout homogenate. Blood will be sampled for intracellular markers of leukocyte stress after ex-vivo stimulus with Phorbol ester / Tumour Necrosis Factor alpha. The following parameters will be recorded.

    • Reactive oxygen species detection using aminophenylfluoresceine dye
    • p38 MAP kinase induction
    • NF-kB induction

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Imperial College London

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Does Broccoli Sprout Consumption Result in Plasma Sulforaphane Levels That Can Attenuate Leukocyte Activation Ex-vivo in Healthy Human Volunteers?

Important dates

Study start
2011
Primary completion
2014
Study completion
2014
First posted
May 20, 2011
Registry last updated
Jul 8, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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