Sulforaphane diminishes arsenic toxicity through reducing cellular arsenic levels. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Sulforaphane, an activator of Nrf2, suppresses cellular accumulation of arsenic and its cytotoxicity in primary mouse hepatocytes.
FEBS Lett. 2006 Mar 20;580(7):1771-4. Epub 2006 Feb 24. PMID: 16516206
Doctoral Programs in Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan.
Sulforaphane (SFN) is an activator of the transcription factor Nrf2, which plays a critical role in metabolism and excretion of xenobiotics. Exposure of primary mouse hepatocytes to SFN resulted in activation of Nrf2 and significant elevation of protein expressions responsible for excretion of arsenic into extracellular space. Pretreatment with SFN 24 h prior to arsenite exposure reduced not only arsenic accumulation in the cells but also cellular toxicity of this metalloid. Therefore, our findings indicate a potential function of SFN in reducing cellular arsenic levels, thereby diminishing arsenic toxicity.