- Paper Title: Sulforaphane Protects against Cardiovascular Disease via Nrf2 Activation
- Journal: Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2015
🧬 Mechanisms of Action
- Activation of the Nrf2–Keap1–ARE Pathway:
Sulforaphane inhibits Nrf2 degradation and promotes its nuclear translocation, inducing antioxidant genes such as HO-1, NQO1, and GST. - Involvement of MAPK/PI3K Pathways:
Activation of ERK, JNK, p38, and PI3K/AKT enhances Nrf2 phosphorylation and stability. - Long-Term Protection:
Antioxidant gene expression remains elevated for several days after sulforaphane intake, providing sustained vascular protection.
💡 Summary of Protective Mechanisms
| Condition | Protective Mechanism |
|---|---|
| Hypertension | Reduces vascular oxidative stress and improves blood pressure. |
| Atherosclerosis | Suppresses inflammation and decreases VCAM-1/ICAM-1 expression. |
| Ischemia–Reperfusion Injury | Minimizes myocardial damage and cell death. |
| Diabetic Complications | Protects vascular and renal tissues; reduces inflammation. |
| Thrombosis | Inhibits platelet aggregation and supports anticoagulant activity. |
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