This study was to define whether consumption of broccoli sprout extracts (BSE) can be used as natural sulforaphane (SFN) supplement to systemically up-regulate NFE2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) for the prevention of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Five-months-old db/db and age-matched wild type (WT) mice were fed BSE or SFN by gavage every other day for 3 months. Both db/db and WT mice were divided into four groups: vehicle (0.1 ml/10g), BSE-low dose (delivery SFN 0.5 mg/kg), BSE-high dose (delivery SFN 1.0 mg/kg), and SFN (0.5 mg/kg) as a positive control. After 3 months treatment, cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress damage were assessed by Western blot, real-time PCR, and histopathological examination. Both BSE and SFN significantly prevented diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction, hypertrophy, and fibrosis (increased accumulation of collagen and expression of connective tissue growth factor). BSE and SFN also prevented diabetes-induced cardiac inflammation and oxidative injury. Like SFN, the positive control of Nrf2 activator, BSE significantly up-regulated Nrf2 expression and transcription activity, reflected by increased Nrf2 nuclear accumulation and the expression of its downstream genes at both mRNA and protein levels. These results indicated that the effect of BSE-high dose is similar to those of SFN, suggesting that BSE can be used as SFN nature supplement to up-regulate Nrf2 expression and function for the prevention of DCM in type 2 diabetes. Since BSE is a health supplement, the potential for its clinical application for diabetic patients is highly promised.
Broccoli Sprout Extract