The Effects of Broccoli Sprout Extract on Obstructive Lung Disease

The purpose of this study is to examine whether broccoli sprout extract can effect lung function measurements in individuals with asthma and COPD.

Asthma afflicts 23 million people, results in nearly 13 million ambulatory physician encounters, and 440,000 hospitalizations annually. The economic burden for 2010 is estimated to run $20.7 billion. Although steroids are the mainstay of treatment, they do not "cure" the disease. While inflammation may be the inciting factor, other mechanisms must play a crucial role in this process. Elevated oxidative stress could cause the kind of chronic inflammation associated with asthma, and could provide an explanation for recurrent asthma attacks. Cigarette smoke, both primary and secondary exposure, worsens the oxidative stress balance in the airways. Thus, the continuing focus on simply treating the inflammation is a barrier to progress. It is critical to examine other factors, such as abnormal oxidative stress through specific pathways that may affect airway inflammation and asthma attacks. One compound, that repairs oxidative stress pathways, is sulforaphane, a food compound found in vegetables, including broccoli sprouts. Preliminary data demonstrate that broccoli sprout extract (BSE), rich in sulforaphane, improves airflow measures in asthmatics. We plan to examine whether the airflow abnormalities in asthma, and the exacerbation from cigarette smoke, can be prevented by the administration of BSE, and determine the primary inflammatory and oxidative stress signaling pathways involved in the protection provided by BSE.

This a before and after treatment study. The subjects will consumer broccoli sprout extract (BSE) for two weeks (14d). Lung function and Chest CT will be performed before and after BSE consumption.

The Primary Outcome is the Change in Bronchodilation and Bronchoprotection After Broccoli Sprout Extract

Bronchodilator index = (1- ((1 - ((forced expiratory volume in 1 second after Methacholine A and after Deep Inspiration )÷( forced expiratory volume in 1 second baseline)))÷ (1 - ((forced expiratory volume in 1 second after Methacholine)÷( forced expiratory volume in 1 second baseline)))))x100 Bronchoprotection index = (1- ((1 - ((forced expiratory volume in 1 second after Deep Inspirations and after Methacholine B )÷( forced expiratory volume in 1 second baseline B)))÷(1 - ((forced expiratory volume in 1 second after Methacholine A)÷( forced expiratory volume in 1 second baseline A))))) x 100

Inclusion Criteria: asthma COPD Exclusion Criteria: currently on chronic oral steroid medications current respiratory symptoms pregnant FEV1 less than 40% predicted at baseline extreme degrees of bronchial hyperreactivity recent respiratory infection (<3 weeks) unstable symptoms in the prior month a history of intubation for respiratory symptoms within the past year any history of cardiac disease.