The use of ascorbigen in the treatment of fibromyalgia patients: a preliminary trial.

Twelve female fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) patients were given 500 mg per day of a blend containing 100 mg ascorbigen and 400 mg broccoli powder in a preliminary, one-month, open-label trial. This group of patients showed a mean 20.1 percent (p=0.044) decrease in their physical impairment score and a mean 17.8 percent (p=0.016) decrease in their total fibromyalgia impact scores as measured by the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire. The mean physical impairment score two weeks post-treatment showed a significant return to near pre-treatment level (p=0.028). Analysis of ten of the patients' mean threshold pain levels at the 18 possible tender points obtained before and at the end of treatment showed a strong trend toward an increase in the mean threshold pain level (p=0.059). The reduced sensitivity to pain and improvement in quality of life measured in this study appear to be clinically relevant and a larger, double-blind study is warranted.

Brassica vegetable consumption shifts estrogen metabolism in healthy postmenopausal women.

Previous studies suggest that the estrogen metabolite 16alpha-hydroxyestrone acts as a breast tumor promoter. The alternative product of estrogen metabolism, 2-hydroxyestrone, does not exhibit estrogenic properties in breast tissue, and lower values of the ratio 2-hydroxyestrone:16alpha-hydroxyestrone (2:16) in urine may be an endocrine biomarker for greater breast cancer risk. Vegetables of the Brassica genus, such as broccoli, contain a phytochemical, which may shift estrogen metabolism and increase the 2:16 ratio. Adding 500 g/day of broccoli to a standard diet shifts 2:16 values upward in humans; however, it is unknown as to whether healthy women are able to consume a sufficient quantity of Brassica to affect breast cancer risk through this mechanism. In this study, 34 healthy postmenopausal women participated in an intensive intervention designed to facilitate the addition of Brassica to the daily diet. The diet was measured by repeated 24-h recall, and estrogen metabolites were measured by enzyme immunoassay in 24-h urine samples. In a crude analysis, there was a nonsignificant increase in the urinary 2:16 ratio associated with greater Brassica consumption. With adjustment for other dietary parameters, Brassica vegetable consumption was associated with a statistically significant increase in 2:16 values, such that for each 10-g/day increase in Brassica consumption, there was an increase in the 2:16 ratio of 0.08 (95% confidence interval, 0.02-0.15). To the extent that the 2:16 ratio, as measured in urine, is associated with breast cancer risk, future research should consider Brassica vegetable consumption as a potentially effective and acceptable dietary strategy to prevent breast cancer.

The in vivo effect of a Brassica oleracea var. capitata extract on Ehrlich ascites tumors of MUS musculus BALB/C mice.

An extract of Brassica oleracea var. capitata juice was prepared using petroleum ether, ether, ethanol and an Al2O3 column. The healing and tumor protecting effects of this extract were tested on Ehrlich ascites (EA) solid tumors of Mus musculus BALB/C mice. Complete disappearance of the tumors was observed in 54.5% of the animals in the experimental group (n = 22) which received 20 mg/day of the extract i.p. for 28 days. Regression of the tumors (27%), fixation of tumor size (4%) and an increase in tumor size (18%) were also recorded. Neither tumor size fixation nor regression was recorded in the control group which received physiological serum (0.5 ml/day). The healing effect was found to be related to the starting tumor size. The healed animals in the experimental group were followed for 6-7 months and no tumor recurrence was recorded. The protective effect of this extract on tumor formation was also tested. Experimental animals (n = 35) received 20 mg/day of the extract i.p. for 20 days. Physiological serum was administered to a control group (n = 30). Transplantation of solid tumors was performed on the 20th day and extract administration was discontinued. Transplantation success was recorded 20 days after transplantation. In the experimental group, only three out of 35 mice showed tumor development, whereas in the control group the number was 23 out of 35 mice. It was also observed that the extract prevented the development of liquid EA tumors. This extract was also found to be nontoxic. Brassica oleracea var. capitata had a healing effect as well as a protective effect on EA solid tumors of mice. These results are in agreement with our previous results obtained from a liquid Brassica oleracea var. acephala juice extract.

Broccoli sprouts in cancer prevention.

Recent research has aimed to identify specific phytochemicals in Brassica vegetables, such as sulforaphane in broccoli, that may confer protection against cancer. Clinical, dietary, and policy implications are discussed.