Study Number:

IRB 10-1806

Principal Investigator:

Terry Noah, MD

Description:

Vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale and cabbage are particularly rich in a plant chemical called sulforaphane (SFN) which boosts production of certain “defense” enzymes that increase the activity of antioxidants. Young broccoli sprouts have a particularly high level of SFN. In animals, SFN helps prevent diseases associated with inflammation and cancer among others.

The purpose of this research study is to learn about short term responses to live attenuated influenza virus (administered via the FDA approved Flumist® nasal spray vaccine) between smoking and nonsmoking volunteers treated with broccoli sprout homogenates (BSH) or a placebo homogenate. This will be done by obtaining a series of “nasal lavages” or rinses of the nose with salt water, as well as 3 superficial biopsies of the inside lining of the nose both before and after you receive the vaccine. Using these samples, we will measure the amount of virus and the amount of inflammation in the nose and compare how smokers and nonsmokers respond to the vaccine when they are given a broccoli sprout homogenate (“shake”, high in SFN) or a placebo “shake” which is low in SFN during 4 of the total 8 study visits.

Contact:

Email broccolisprout@med.unc.edu

or Call (919) 966-2879

Requirements:

• You must be between 18 and 40.
• You should be a healthy smoker or nonsmoker and have no chronic illness or allergies requiring medications to control.
• You should not be pregnant or nursing.
• You should not have a history of egg allergy, Guillain-Barré syndrome or take aspirin on a regular basis.
• You should not have intolerance of or aversion to broccoli

Time Commitment:

Eight visits over 6-8 weeks with visit duration ranging from 1-2 hours

Compensation:

Volunteers completing all study procedures will be compensated up to $385

Review the Informed Consent Form:

IRB # 10-1806 informed consent form