Broccoli Sprouts for Ulcerative Colitis

Overseen By Kelli Porzondek

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Must be taking: 5-ASAs, Steroids

Must not be taking: NSAIDs, Antibiotics

Disqualifiers: Diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if eating broccoli sprouts can help patients with mild ulcerative colitis by increasing a compound called sulforaphane in their bodies, which may reduce inflammation. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate present in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and brussels sprouts, has a variety of biological functions.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

You can continue taking your current medications for ulcerative colitis as long as the doses are stable and meet the study's requirements. However, you cannot take NSAIDs and should not expect any dose changes during the study.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Broccoli Sprouts for Ulcerative Colitis?

Research shows that broccoli sprouts, which are rich in sulforaphane, can reduce inflammation and improve gut health in mice with colitis, a condition similar to ulcerative colitis. This suggests that broccoli sprouts might help manage symptoms of ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation and supporting a healthy gut microbiome. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is it safe to consume broccoli sprouts or sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprouts?

Broccoli sprouts are generally considered safe for human consumption, as a clinical study found no significant or consistent adverse effects when healthy volunteers consumed broccoli sprout extracts. These sprouts are widely consumed and have not raised safety concerns. ^{1 4 5 6 7}

How does the treatment with broccoli sprouts differ from other treatments for ulcerative colitis?

Broccoli sprouts are unique because they contain high levels of glucoraphanin, which is converted by gut bacteria into sulforaphane, a compound with anti-inflammatory properties. This treatment focuses on restoring gut microbiota balance and reducing inflammation through dietary intervention, offering a natural and potentially more affordable option compared to traditional medications. ^{1 3 4 5 8}

Research Team

Grace Chen

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with mild ulcerative colitis, who are on a stable dose of certain medications like Aminosalicylic acids or Imuran. Participants should have a BMI between 18.5-40 and not be consuming more than 5 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables daily. They must understand the study and consent to it.

Inclusion Criteria

Body Mass Index (BMI) values 18.5-40 kg/m2

Documented endoscopic diagnosis of ulcerative colitis

My ulcerative colitis is mild, confirmed by tests.

Exclusion Criteria

I am currently taking NSAIDs or biologic/immunomodulatory therapies.

Consumption of more than 5 ½ cups of servings/day of fruits and vegetables as assessed by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Diet History Questionaire III online Food Questionnaire.

I have not taken antibiotics in the last 2 weeks.

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants consume broccoli sprouts to assess the impact on sulforaphane levels and inflammatory markers

4 weeks

Weekly self-reports

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Broccoli Sprouts (Cruciferous Vegetables)

Trial Overview The study tests if eating either one or three servings of broccoli sprouts can increase sulforaphane levels in the body and decrease inflammation markers in patients with mild ulcerative colitis, as preparation for a larger future trial.

Participant Groups

Group I: 3 Servings of broccoli sprouts Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

339 grams

Group II: 1 Serving of broccoli sprouts Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

113 grams

Broccoli Sprouts is already approved in Japan for the following indications:

Approved in Japan as Broccoli Sprouts for:

• Ulcerative Colitis

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

University of Maine

Collaborator

Trials

4

Recruited

6,700+

Findings from Research

Mice fed a diet containing 10% steamed broccoli sprouts showed significant improvements in managing symptoms of ulcerative colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate, including weight gain and lower levels of inflammatory markers.

The broccoli sprout diet helped maintain a diverse gut microbiota, counteracting the dysbiosis typically caused by colitis, suggesting that dietary interventions could be a promising and accessible strategy for managing Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Steamed broccoli sprouts alleviate DSS-induced inflammation and retain gut microbial biogeography in mice. Holman, JM., Colucci, L., Baudewyns, D., et al.[2023]

In a study involving rats with experimentally induced ulcerative colitis, treatment with sulforaphane significantly improved colon morphology and reduced inflammation, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent.

Sulforaphane enhanced antioxidant activity and mitochondrial biogenesis while inhibiting DNA polymerization, indicating a multifaceted mechanism of action that could help in treating ulcerative colitis.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic effects of sulforaphane in ulcerative colitis: effect on antioxidant activity, mitochondrial biogenesis and DNA polymerization. Alattar, A., Alshaman, R., Al-Gayyar, MMH.[2022]

Steamed broccoli sprouts can still provide measurable levels of sulforaphane in the colon and feces, even after the inactivation of the myrosinase enzyme, which is typically responsible for its production.

In a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease, consumption of steamed broccoli sprouts significantly reduced colitis, and this effect was dependent on a healthy gut microbiota, indicating that gut bacteria play a crucial role in enhancing the anti-inflammatory properties of sulforaphane.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A steamed broccoli sprout diet preparation that reduces colitis via the gut microbiota. Zhang, T., Holman, J., McKinstry, D., et al.[2023]

Mice fed a diet containing 10% steamed broccoli sprouts showed protection against the harmful effects of colitis induced by dextran sodium sulfate, indicating a potential dietary strategy for managing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

The study highlights that colitis disrupts the normal bacterial communities in the gut, and suggests that dietary components like broccoli sprouts could help maintain a healthy gut microbiome, offering a promising approach for IBD prevention and recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Steamed broccoli sprouts alleviate DSS-induced inflammation and retain gut microbial biogeography in mice. Holman, JM., Colucci, L., Baudewyns, D., et al.[2023]

Sulforaphane (SFN), derived from cruciferous vegetables, showed potential in reducing symptoms of ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice, as evidenced by improvements in colon length, disease activity index, and inflammation markers after treatment with various doses of SFN.

The protective effects of SFN against UC were linked to the activation of specific biological pathways involving Nrf2 and STAT3, as well as the restoration of gut microbiota, suggesting SFN could be a promising therapeutic agent for UC.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Protective Effect of Sulforaphane on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis Depends on Gut Microbial and Nrf2-Related Mechanism. He, C., Gao, M., Zhang, X., et al.[2022]

A phase I clinical study involving healthy volunteers showed that broccoli sprout extracts containing glucoraphanin and sulforaphane were safe and well-tolerated, with no significant adverse effects reported during the treatment period.

The study demonstrated that the isothiocyanate sulforaphane was excreted at a much higher rate (70.6% of the dose) compared to glucosinolates, indicating effective absorption and potential for protective health benefits against diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety, tolerance, and metabolism of broccoli sprout glucosinolates and isothiocyanates: a clinical phase I study. Shapiro, TA., Fahey, JW., Dinkova-Kostova, AT., et al.[2022]

Sulforaphane (SFN), found in broccoli sprouts, significantly protects against aspirin/NSAIDs-induced small intestinal injury in both in vitro and in vivo studies, suggesting its potential as a preventive treatment.

The protective effects of SFN are linked to the up-regulation of the nrf2-keap1 dependent antioxidant system and a reduction in the invasion of harmful anaerobic bacteria into the intestinal mucosa.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sulforaphane protects small intestinal mucosa from aspirin/NSAID-induced injury by enhancing host defense systems against oxidative stress and by inhibiting mucosal invasion of anaerobic enterobacteria. Yanaka, A., Sato, J., Ohmori, S.[2021]

A diet including 10% raw broccoli sprouts significantly increased levels of the anti-inflammatory compound sulforaphane in IL-10-KO mice, helping to alleviate symptoms of Crohn's disease such as weight loss and diarrhea.

Younger mice showed a stronger response to the broccoli diet, resulting in greater improvements in gut health and bacterial diversity, suggesting that dietary interventions could be particularly beneficial for younger patients with Crohn's disease.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early life exposure to broccoli sprouts confers stronger protection against enterocolitis development in an immunological mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease. Holcomb, L., Holman, JM., Hurd, M., et al.[2023]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Steamed broccoli sprouts alleviate DSS-induced inflammation and retain gut microbial biogeography in mice. [2023]

2. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Therapeutic effects of sulforaphane in ulcerative colitis: effect on antioxidant activity, mitochondrial biogenesis and DNA polymerization. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A steamed broccoli sprout diet preparation that reduces colitis via the gut microbiota. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Steamed broccoli sprouts alleviate DSS-induced inflammation and retain gut microbial biogeography in mice. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Protective Effect of Sulforaphane on Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Colitis Depends on Gut Microbial and Nrf2-Related Mechanism. [2022]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Safety, tolerance, and metabolism of broccoli sprout glucosinolates and isothiocyanates: a clinical phase I study. [2022]

7. United Arab Emirates pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Sulforaphane protects small intestinal mucosa from aspirin/NSAID-induced injury by enhancing host defense systems against oxidative stress and by inhibiting mucosal invasion of anaerobic enterobacteria. [2021]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Early life exposure to broccoli sprouts confers stronger protection against enterocolitis development in an immunological mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease. [2023]