foodconsumer.org: Broccoli compound may help prevent respiratory inflammation

Broccoli compound may help prevent respiratory inflammation
================================================================================
admin on 03/02/2009 18:59:00
 
March 2, 2009 (foodconsumer.org) -- Eating high amounts of broccoli, Brussels
sprouts, and cabbage daily may reduce the risk of respiratory inflammation that
causes conditions like asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, according to a new study.
The study, published in the March 2009 issue of the journal Clinical Immunology,
shows that the sulforaphane found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli
increases production of antioxidant enzymes in the human airway.
Antioxidant enzymes are believed to protect against free radicals in polluted
air, pollen, diesel exhaust, and tobacco smoke that can cause oxidative tissue
damage and inflammation, leading to respiratory conditions like asthma.
"We found a two- to three-fold increase in antioxidant enzymes in the nasal
airway cells of study participants who had eaten a preparation of broccoli
sprouts," Dr. Marc Riedl of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said.
"This strategy may offer protection against inflammatory processes and could
lead to potential treatments for a variety of respiratory conditions."
For the study, 65 people volunteered to use varying oral doses of either
broccoli or alfalfa sprout preparations for three days.  Broccoli sprout
preparation contains high levels of sulforaphane while the alfalfa preparation
does not contain the compound.
The researchers tested rinses of nasal passages at the beginning and end of the
study; in those who received 100 grams or more of broccoli sprout preparation,
antioxidant enzymes were significantly increased as compared to the placebo
group.
The best broccoli sprout dosage was 200 grams which generated a 101-percent
increase of an antioxidant enzyme known as GSTP1 and a 199-percent increase of
another key enzyme called NQO1.
"A major advantage of sulforaphane is that it appears to increase a broad array
of antioxidant enzymes, which may help the compound's effectiveness in blocking
the harmful effects of air pollution," Riedl said.
By David Liu, Ph.D., and edited by Heather Kelley.