title: Sulforaphane protects against acrolein-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory responses: modulation of Nrf-2 and COX-2 expression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Acrolein (2-propenal) is a reactive α, β-unsaturated aldehyde which causes a health hazard to humans. The present study focused on determining the protection offered by sulforaphane against acrolein-induced damage in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Acrolein-induced oxidative stress was determined through evaluating the levels of reactive oxygen species, protein carbonyl and sulfhydryl content, thiobarbituric acid reactive species, total oxidant status and antioxidant status (total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase activity). Also, Nrf-2 expression levels were determined using western blot analysis. Acrolein-induced inflammation was determined through analyzing expression of cyclooxygenase-2 by western blot and PGE2 levels by ELISA. The protection offered by sulforaphane against acrolein-induced oxidative stress and inflammation was studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Acrolein showed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in the levels of oxidative stress parameters and down-regulated Nrf-2 expression. Acrolein-induced inflammation was observed through upregulation (p < 0.001) of COX-2 and PGE2 levels. Pretreatment with sulforaphane enhanced the antioxidant status through upregulating Nrf-2 expression (p < 0.001) in PBMC. Acrolein-induced inflammation was significantly inhibited through suppression of COX-2 (p < 0.001) and PGE2 levels (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study provides clear evidence that pre-treatment with sulforaphane completely restored the antioxidant status and prevented inflammatory responses mediated by acrolein. Thus the protection offered by sulforaphane against acrolein-induced damage in PBMC is attributed to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Wang-Sen
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Yu-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Laboratory, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan, China.
authors.forename: Fa-Cai
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Cui
keywords: acrolein; inflammation; oxidative stress; sulforaphane