Allergic airway disease is a term used to describe conditions such as allergic rhinitis and asthma. Among other causative agents, air pollutants and diesel exhaust in particular, have been shown to create and also worsen existing allergic airway disease. These inhaled pollution particles have oxidative properties that drive inflammation-related effects through specific metabolic-associated processes. These processes are not adequately suppressed by current therapeutics. The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of broccoli sprout extract on the inflammatory process in the nose caused by diesel exhaust particles, which are important elements in air pollution. Broccoli sprout extract is a very potent inducer of Phase II enzymes (natural antioxidants).
Antioxidant enzymes are proteins produced by the body to protect cells against the harmful effects of chemicals, such as those found in air pollution. Particulate air pollution and diesel exhaust in particular have been shown to cause and also exacerbate allergic airway disease. While there are ongoing efforts to improve air quality, there remains a need for alternative methods to address and prevent the adverse health effects of ambient air pollution, such as allergic rhinitis,, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Currently, there are no therapeutic options which, directly target and address the effects of air pollutants in susceptible populations. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of broccoli sprout extract on airway inflammation caused by diesel exhaust particles. This study will analyze whether broccoli sprout extract will increase the levels of the natural, helpful, antioxidant enzymes in the nose and as a result decrease the inflammation caused by nasal exposure to diesel exhaust particles. Participants will attend up to ten clinical visits, which include three screening visits. Some visits (2, 4, and 9) will last approximately 1 hour and require that the participants return to the clinic after 6 hours. The remaining visits (excluding Visit 1, which will also last about 1 hour) will take less than 30 minutes. Participants are restricted from consuming certain vegetables three days prior to, and during the course of the study. During the screening phase, which will last from 4-5 days, and after giving informed consent participants will undergo a baseline evaluation that includes a medical history, a physical exam, blood drawing, allergy skin testing, nose washing, and a diesel exhaust particle (DEP) challenge test. For the DEP test, a small amount of fluid containing DEP particles will be sprayed in the nose (this amount is equivalent to the DEP that one breathes in over 2 days in Los Angeles). Investigators will also screen for natural antioxidant-related genes antioxidant enzymes and other indicators of DEP sensitivity. Female participants of child bearing potential will have a urine pregnancy test. Participants will be asked to drink broccoli sprout extract for four days in a row (visits 6, 7, 8, and 9). The dosage is less than 1 cup and requires that participants fast 2 hours before the study visits when broccoli sprout extract is ingested. This study requires that participants be allergic to cat. An allergy skin test will be performed to determine whether they have this kind of allergy.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
38
BSE will be ingested by drinking a liquid formula containing 1.25 g BSE in a volume equaling 1 cup daily for 4 consecutive days in the BSE intervention phase.
UCLA
Los Angeles, California, United States
Total Nasal Cell Count in Response to DEP Challenge at 0, 6 and 24 hr With or Without BSE Intervention
Change of total nasal cell count in response to a standard diesel exhaust particle (DEP) challenge was determined by counting the total number of cells (leukocytes) recovered from nasal lavage fluid at 0 hr (just prior to DEP dosing), 6 hr and 24 hr later in participants who consuming BSE for 4 days, or without consuming BSE (control). Nasal challenges were performed with 300 microgram a standard DEP in 200 microliter saline.
Time frame: 0, 6 and 24 hours at Control visit and BSE visit (Day 4 of intervention)
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