Sulforaphane Attenuates Neutrophil ROS Production, MPO Degranulation and Phagocytosis, but Does Not Affect NET Formation Ex Vivo and In Vitro

Sulforaphane Ameliorate Cadmium-Induced Blood-Thymus Barrier Disruption by Targeting the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 Axis

Cadmium (Cd) is a transition metal ion that is extremely harmful to human and animal biological systems. Cd is a toxic substance that can accumulate in the food chain and cause various health issues. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural bioactive compound with potent antioxidant properties. In our study, 80 1 day-old chicks were fed with Cd (140 mg/kg BW/day) and/or SFN (50 mg/kg BW/day) for 90 days. The blood-thymus barrier (BTB) is a selective barrier separating T-lymphocytes from blood and cortical capillaries in the thymus cortex. Our research revealed that Cd could destroy the BTB by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and induce immunodeficiency, leading to irreversible injury to the immune system. The study emphasizes the health benefits of SFN in the thymus. SFN could ameliorate Cd-triggered BTB dysfunction and pyroptosis in the thymus tissues. SFN modulated the PI3K/AKT/FOXO1 axis, improving the level of claudin-5 (CLDN5) in the thymus to alleviate BTB breakdown. Our findings indicated the toxic impact of Cd on thymus, and BTB could be the specific target of Cd toxicity. The finding also provides evidence for the role of SFN in maintaining thymic homeostasis for Cd-related health issues.

Anti-Inflammatory Therapeutic Mechanisms of Isothiocyanates: Insights from Sulforaphane

Isothiocyanates (ITCs) belong to a group of natural products that possess a highly reactive electrophilic -N=C=S functional group. They are stored in plants as precursor molecules, glucosinolates, which are processed by the tyrosinase enzyme upon plant tissue damage to release ITCs, along with other products. Isolated from broccoli, sulforaphane is by far the most studied antioxidant ITC, acting primarily through the induction of a transcription factor, the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which upregulates downstream antioxidant genes/proteins. Paradoxically, sulforaphane, as a pro-oxidant compound, can also increase the levels of reactive oxygen species, a mechanism which is attributed to its anticancer effect. Beyond highlighting the common pro-oxidant and antioxidant effects of sulforaphane, the present paper was designed to assess the diverse anti-inflammatory mechanisms reported to date using a variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Sulforaphane downregulates the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, cycloxyhenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase. The signalling pathways of nuclear factor κB, activator protein 1, sirtuins 1, silent information regulator sirtuin 1 and 3, and microRNAs are among those affected by sulforaphane. These anti-inflammatory actions are sometimes due to direct action via interaction with the sulfhydryl structural moiety of cysteine residues in enzymes/proteins. The following are among the topics discussed in this paper: paradoxical signalling pathways such as the immunosuppressant or immunostimulant mechanisms; crosstalk between the oxidative and inflammatory pathways; and effects dependent on health and disease states.

The Immunomodulatory Effects of Sulforaphane in Exercise-Induced Inflammation and Oxidative Stress: A Prospective Nutraceutical

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a promising molecule for developing phytopharmaceuticals due to its potential antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. A plethora of research conducted in vivo and in vitro reported the beneficial effects of SFN intervention and the underlying cellular mechanisms. Since SFN is a newly identified nutraceutical in sports nutrition, only some human studies have been conducted to reflect the effects of SFN intervention in exercise-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. In this review, we briefly discussed the effects of SFN on exercise-induced inflammation and oxidative stress. We discussed human and animal studies that are related to exercise intervention and mentioned the underlying cellular signaling mechanisms. Since SFN could be used as a potential therapeutic agent, we mentioned briefly its synergistic attributes with other potential nutraceuticals that are associated with acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Given its health-promoting effects, SFN could be a prospective nutraceutical at the forefront of sports nutrition.