Eating broccoli could reverse the damage caused by diabetes to heart blood vessels, research suggests, reports BBC News.
A University of Warwick team believe the key is a compound found in the vegetable, called sulforaphane.
It encourages production of enzymes which protect the blood vessels, and a reduction in high levels of molecules which cause significant cell damage.
Brassica vegetables such as broccoli have previously been linked to a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.
People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes; both are linked to damaged blood vessels.
The Warwick team, whose work is reported in the journal Diabetes, tested the effects of sulforaphane on blood vessel cells damaged by high glucose levels (hyperglycaemia), which are associated with diabetes.
They recorded a 73% reduction of molecules in the body called Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). Hyperglycaemia can cause levels of ROS to increase three-fold and such high levels can damage human cells.
The researchers also found that sulforaphane activated a protein in the body called nrf2, which protects cells and tissues from damage by activating protective antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes.
Lead researcher Professor Paul Thornalley said: "Our study suggests that compounds such as sulforaphane from broccoli may help counter processes linked to the development of vascular disease in diabetes.
"In future, it will be important to test if eating a diet rich in brassica vegetables has health benefits for diabetic patients. We expect that it will."
Dr. Iain Frame, director of research at the charity Diabetes UK, stressed that research carried out on cells in the lab was a long way from the real life situation.
However, he said: "It is encouraging to see that Professor Thornalley and his team have identified a potentially important substance that may protect and repair blood vessels from the damaging effects of diabetes.
"It also may help add some scientific weight to the argument that eating broccoli is good for you."
Grant progamme for journalists covering medical issues announced in Russia
The association of journalists writing on issues related to public health has announced a grant programme for writers covering the theme of tuberculosis in the media in 2007-2008.
The programme is aimed to support the coverage in the national and regional mass media of issues related to the tuberculosis epidemic. The programme is designed for journalists employed by television, radio, press and internet editions. The programme finalists are to be awarded a grant not larger than 45 thousand roubles that is to allow implement their projects.
The international White&Case LLP legal firm will render support to the programme, the project’s co-ordinator being the organisation Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA).
The association of journalists covering public health issues is interested in projects focusing on analysis of the most relevant issues related to tuberculosis in Russia.
Other preferred projects will be ones that cannot be carried out without the grant, ones that draw attention to issues without sufficient or any coverage in the media as well as ones that are of interest to a maximum audience.
Applications are to be sent in until 20 November 2007.
The programme is aimed to support the coverage in the national and regional mass media of issues related to the tuberculosis epidemic. The programme is designed for journalists employed by television, radio, press and internet editions. The programme finalists are to be awarded a grant not larger than 45 thousand roubles that is to allow implement their projects.
The international White&Case LLP legal firm will render support to the programme, the project’s co-ordinator being the organisation Transatlantic Partners Against AIDS (TPAA).
The association of journalists covering public health issues is interested in projects focusing on analysis of the most relevant issues related to tuberculosis in Russia.
Other preferred projects will be ones that cannot be carried out without the grant, ones that draw attention to issues without sufficient or any coverage in the media as well as ones that are of interest to a maximum audience.
Applications are to be sent in until 20 November 2007.
Thai bank hands out condoms to shy customers
A Thai bank is pitching into the battle against HIV/AIDS and handing out condoms to customers too shy to get them at the shop, Reuters reports.
Kasikorn Bank launched the "Condoms for Confidence" campaign at 600 branches nationwide and said it would start giving out the sheaths, branded K-Condom and K-Excellence.
"HIV/AIDS is returning to Thailand since the government awareness campaign started 20 years ago has fizzled out," said a bank spokesman who declined to be identified. "We want the teenagers to be aware of the problem."
Despite a tenfold plunge of overall new HIV/AIDS cases from 15 years ago, the health ministry has said it was concerned about the numbers of teenagers and homosexuals still being infected.
Disease Control Department chief Thawat Suntrajarn said embarrassment about buying condoms and ignorance in using them were the main causes of the new cases.
"Research papers from all sorts of agencies have a consensus that many condom users are embarrassed to buy condoms from counters," Thawat told Reuters.
"Women who buy condoms from convenience stores always get a strange look from people, so condom handouts are a good way to avoid such embarrassment."
New HIV/AIDS cases in Thailand, once praised by international health agencies for its aggressive campaign to tackle the epidemic, had fallen to 13,000 in 2006 from more than 100,000 a year in early 1990s, Thawat said.
Kasikorn Bank launched the "Condoms for Confidence" campaign at 600 branches nationwide and said it would start giving out the sheaths, branded K-Condom and K-Excellence.
"HIV/AIDS is returning to Thailand since the government awareness campaign started 20 years ago has fizzled out," said a bank spokesman who declined to be identified. "We want the teenagers to be aware of the problem."
Despite a tenfold plunge of overall new HIV/AIDS cases from 15 years ago, the health ministry has said it was concerned about the numbers of teenagers and homosexuals still being infected.
Disease Control Department chief Thawat Suntrajarn said embarrassment about buying condoms and ignorance in using them were the main causes of the new cases.
"Research papers from all sorts of agencies have a consensus that many condom users are embarrassed to buy condoms from counters," Thawat told Reuters.
"Women who buy condoms from convenience stores always get a strange look from people, so condom handouts are a good way to avoid such embarrassment."
New HIV/AIDS cases in Thailand, once praised by international health agencies for its aggressive campaign to tackle the epidemic, had fallen to 13,000 in 2006 from more than 100,000 a year in early 1990s, Thawat said.
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