Healthy Volunteers
Conditions
Keywords
white blood cell, broccoli, P38 Map Kinase
Brief summary
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.
Detailed description
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.
Interventions
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTBrocco-sprout homogenate
Participants will be asked to orally consume on three consecutive days a brocco-sprout homogenate (70g dry weight).
DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTAlfalfa sprout homogenate
Participants will be asked to orally consume on three consecutive days an alfalfa sprout homogenate.
Sponsors
Imperial College London
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Resistance of leucocytes to inflammatory activation following an experimental stress | 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. 1. Reactive oxygen species detection using aminophenylfluoresceine dye 2. p38 MAP kinase induction 3. NF-kB induction |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed