Broccoli Ileostomy Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Maximizing the bioavailability and activity of broccoli phytochemicals using a broccoli soup enriched for myrosinase by addition of mustard seeds.
IRAS ID
165217
Contact name
Chris I R Gill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Ulster
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Population based studies have indicated that the consumption of diets rich in dark green leafy vegetables such as broccoli have a range of beneficial effects on human health. Sulforaphane, a compound found in broccoli and other dark green leafy vegetables has been reported to have bactericidal activity against certain bacteria (H. Pylori). Sulforaphane is the breakdown product of the main glucosinolate in broccoli. The breakdown requires an enzyme (myrosinase) to be present and active in sufficient activity however cooking damages the enzyme so it is less effective. We have recently shown that adding mustard seeds, which contain a more resilient form of this enzyme, to processed broccoli actually increased the formation of sulforaphane and minimized production of another biologically inactive form. Our experimental studies have shown that sulforaphane can inhibit growth of a number of gut pathogens including Salmonella and E. coli which exert their effects in the small intestine. However the bioavailability, stability and bioactivity of sulforaphane in the small intestine of a human following consumption of broccoli is not known.
We hypothesize that consumption of cooked broccoli plus extra myrosinase in the form of mustard seeds will result in high levels of sulforaphane in ileostomy fluid, sufficient to suppress growth of gut pathogens.
To assess the effect of broccoli phytochemicals within humans we will feed 20 participants who have previously had an ileostomy (removal of colon, > 1.5 years post-operative) 200 ml of broccoli soup/control in a randomised double blind crossover design and collect the ileal fluid before (0 hr) and after (4 hr) the feeding. The ileal fluid collected from participants will have undergone actual human digestion; we can then analyze the chemical composition and bioactivity of the ileal fluid.
This study provides a unique opportunity to test whether existing experimental data reflect what actual happens within the human body. Data obtained from ileal samples will be used to validate our previous observations on the bioactivity of sulforaphane and also it’s potential to inhibit pathogenic gut bacteria.REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1326
Date of REC Opinion
17 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion