Effects of Brussels Sprouts on Oxidative DNA Damage

Direct proof regarding whether antimutagenic or anticarcinogenic effects also occur in humans under normal dietary conditions can only be obtained from studies with humans. Indeed, epidemiological studies indicate that consumption of fruits and vegetables is inversely associated with the risk of cancer. In particular, brassica vegetables such as cabbage, brussels sprouts, and broccoli have been attributed with beneficial health effects in humans. 

Verhagen et al. (1997) investigated the effect of consumption of brussels sprouts on the excretion of 8-oxodG into human urine. Ten nonsmoking volunteers (five males and five females) were 

There can be no doubt that a plant that has been in partnership with humans since the beginnings of agricultural efforts, that has served humans in so many ways, and that, under the searchlight of modem chemical study, has yielded many new and interesting compounds, will continue to be a part of our economy. It would be a luxury we could ill afford if we allowed uninformed prejudice to deter scientists from learning as much as possible about this ancient and mysterious plant (Alger, 2002 Baker et al 2003 Stella, 2004). 

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Verhagen, H. et al., Effects of brussels sprouts on oxidative DNA-damage in man, Cancer Lett., 114, 127-130, 1997. 

Verhagen H, de Vries A, Nijhoff WA, et al. Effect of Brussels sprouts on oxidative DNA-damage in man. Cancer Lett. 1997 114 127-130. Hoelzl C, Glatt H, Meinl W, et al. Consumption of Brussels sprouts protects peripheral human Ijnnphocytes against 2-amino-l-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhlP) and oxidative DNA-damage results of a controlled human intervention trial. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008 52 330-341. 

Deng and others (1998) studied the effects of Brussels sprouts on spontaneous and induced oxidative DNA damage in terms of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2,-dcoxyguanosinc (8-oxodG) in rats. Kasai and others (2000) demonstrated that various plant extracts, such as carrot, apricot, and prune, showed inhibitory effects in an in vitro assay of lipid peroxide-induced 8-OHdG formation. Zhu and others (2000) investigated the effect of an aqueous extract of cooked Brussels sprouts on formation of 8-oxodG in calf thymus DNA in vitro. 

Sorensen M, Jensen BR, Poulsen HE et al. (2001) Effects of a Brussels sprouts extract on oxidative DNA damage and metabolising enzymes in rat liver. Food Chem Toxicol. 39 533-40... 

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