Preoperative dietary intake of low-dose sulforaphane induces no clinically significant effect in living donor kidney transplantation

Abstract

Introduction: Sulforaphane (SFN) has anti-inflammatory properties, and is found in broccoli sprouts. Studies suggest that it protects against disease due to its anti-inflammatory activity. The impact of SFN on healthy people undergoing a surgical procedure has not been investigated. Objective: To explore the effect of SFN in living kidney donors on the postoperative inflammatory response and recovery. Methods: We performed a double-blind randomised controlled trial where donors followed a SFN-enriched (8 mg) preoperative diet. Results: A total of 42 donors were included, there were no significant differences at baseline. Postoperative inflammatory response was consistent among both arms and subjective recovery showed no significant difference. Findings regarding postoperative kidney function suggest no consistently significant impact. Discussion: A well-defined SFN-enriched diet did not have anti-inflammatory or a clinically relevant effect on the outcome. Due to the complexity of dietary modification of the inflammatory response, additional research is needed.

Keywords

• Sulforaphane
• Inflammatory response
• Postoperative recovery