Clinical trial NCT03126539
Conditions: Aging
Keywords: aging ultraviolet exposure skin fragility sulforaphane
Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University
Start date: 2017-09-15; Completion date: 2019-01-18
Enrollment: 9 participants; Allocation: RANDOMIZED; Intervention model: PARALLEL

Brief summary:
This study aims to compare the expression of keratins before and after application of sulforaphane (SF) to determine whether this agent alters skin fragility seen in both intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging and UV light exposure.

Detailed description:
The primary purpose of the study is to compare the expression of keratins before and after application of sulforaphane (SF) and determine whether these findings alter skin fragility seen in both intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging as well as in ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.

This investigation will be done in collaboration with researchers from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. The study population recruited by Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology will include up to 50 individuals over the age of 18 with healthy skin. Each study participant will have four on-site study visits and will be asked to contribute photographs, undergo non invasive elasticity measurements, use topical sulforaphane for 7 days and contribute up to four biopsy specimens for laboratory study. The investigators will also evaluate any differences in keratins' expression in skin exposed to acute UV light, separately and after pretreatment with sulforaphane.

Arms: arm 1: Sulforaphane will be applied topically to both sites for up to 7 consecutive nights. Biopsies will be obtained prior to, and immediately after this intervention, on standard photoprotected and photoexposed sites. arm 2: Two photoprotected sites will be identified. Sulforaphane will be applied topically to a single selected site for up to 7 consecutive nights. Both site will be exposed to UV. Biopsies of both sites will be obtained prior to, and 24 hours after UV exposure.
Interventions: intervention 1: Sulforaphane intervention 2: Narrow-band Ultraviolet B exposure intervention 3: 4 mm skin punch biopsy
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SF), derived from broccoli sprouts, has been known to induce an antioxidant response through the Keap1-Nrf2-antioxidant response element pathway. intervention 2: The investigators will use a Lumera ultraviolet B (UVB) light phototherapy device which allows for targeted delivery of controlled doses of UVB radiation (emission spectrum 290-320 nm). intervention 3: All areas will be biopsied using standard punch biopsy tools and following standard clinical protocols, including cleansing the skin with an alcohol wipe and injecting local anesthesia with lidocaine and epinephrine. No more than four total skin biopsies will be obtained from a volunteer over the course of the study. After removal of the tissue sample, one or two sutures are placed to close the circular opening. Sutures are removed and a scar is formed, but typically heals well without complications and blends well with the surrounding skin.

Protocol documents:
Prot_SAP_000.pdf: 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Effect of Topical Sulforaphane on Skin 
Fragility Seen in Skin Aging and With 
Ultraviolet Exposure 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NCT03126539 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
June 16, 2017 
 


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
JHMIRB eFormA  01  
Version 3 Dated:   06/2017  
  
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Johns Hopkins Medicine - eForm A  
Effect of Topical Sulforaphane on Skin Fragility Seen in Skin Aging and With Ultraviolet Exposure  
  
***************************************************************************************************  
  
1.  
Abstract  
The cross sectional study investigating whether topical application of sulforaphane (broccoli sprout 
extract) results in the induction of both keratin 16 and keratin 17 in the basal layer of the epidermis is currently 
IRB approved (IRB00061421).  
The primary purpose of our study is to compare the expression of keratins before and after application 
of sulforaphane (SF) and determine whether these findings alter skin fragility seen in both intrinsic and 
extrinsic skin aging as well as in ultraviolet (UV) light exposure.  
This investigation will be done in collaboration with researchers from the Department of Biochemistry 
and Molecular Biology and Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. The study 
population recruited by Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology will include up to 50 individuals over the 
age of 18 with healthy skin. Each study participant will have four on-site study visits and will be asked to 
contribute photographs, undergo non invasive elasticity measurements, use topical sulforaphane for 7 days 
and contribute up to four biopsy specimens for laboratory study. We will also evaluate any differences in 
keratins’ expression in skin exposed to acute UV light, separately and after pretreatment with sulforaphane.  
  
  
2.  
Objectives   
• The primary objective of this study is to compare the induction of both keratin 16 and 
keratin 17 in the basal layer of the epidermis in both photoprotected and photodamaged skin 
treated with sulforaphane to determine whether SF can improve skin fragility seen in these 
conditions. This would be visualized by established indirect immunofluorescence assays on 
skin tissue sections prepared from biopsy material, and would be confirmed and quantified 
by PCR-based analyses of RNA samples.  
• The secondary objective is to investigate distinct keratin expression changes in human skin 
after acute UV light exposure, separately and in combination with application of topical 
sulforaphane.  
  
3.  
Background   
Isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SF), derived from broccoli sprouts, has been known to induce 
an antioxidant response through the Keap1-Nrf2-antioxidant response element pathway.1 With its 
chemoprotective effects as the rationale, it has previously been studied for tolerance and safety in 
humans and has been shown to have virtually no adverse effects.2-4 This includes a study in which 
sulforaphane-containing broccoli sprout extracts was formulated in acetone and topically applied to 
the skin. 2 Additionally, a recent study has shown that oral sulforaphane was safely tolerated in 
doses of 50-150 µmol daily in children with autism. 5  
SF selectively induces K17 and K16 in skin keratinocytes. Local activation of two distinct 
signaling pathways, hedgehog and Keap1/Nrf2/ARE, rescued skin blistering in an epidermolysis 


Date: 06/16/2017  
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bullosa simplex mouse model, correlating SF with the reprogramming of keratin synthesis in 
epidermis and improving skin fragility.6   
Sulforaphane might also help in maintaining the collagen levels during photoaging via the 
inhibition of the AP-1 activation and of the MMP expression. A previous study reported that SF 
had preventive effects on UV-induced MMP expression, inhibiting the MMP-1 and MMP-3 
expression by blocking the NF-jB pathway.7  
  
Aging of human skin may result from both the passage of time (intrinsic aging) and via 
exposure to external factors (extrinsic aging) such as sunlight (photoaging).8  One hallmark feature 
of skin aging, regardless of type, is skin thinning or fragility. This is partially due to the breakdown 
in dermal collagen. An increase in MMP-1 after UV exposure is observed in skin. MMP-1 is an 
interstitial collagenase able to hydrolyze type I collagen, the major component of the dermis, and  
plays a crucial role in the disorganization and progressive degeneration of dermal extracellular 
matrix.8   
While much is known regarding the dermal changes that occur with skin aging8, there has been 
little research in the role that keratins and epidermis play in skin aging and the associated skin 
fragility.   It is also not know whether UV exposure has an effect on epidermal keratins. By 
assessing the epidermal structure of the skin from both photoprotected and photoexposed sites from 
individuals before and after the application of sulforaphanes, and before and after acute UV light 
exposure, we hope to understand whether differences exist in the expression of keratins between 
photoprotected and photoexposed areas and whether sulforaphane can change these differences.  
  
  
4.  
Study Procedures  
  
a) Study design, including the sequence and timing of study procedures    
  
Recruitment:  Individuals will be recruited from patient populations seen at the general 
dermatology clinics of Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology or from patient populations 
participating in Johns Hopkins Cutaneous Translational Research Program (CTReP) research 
studies.  Interested study participants will be evaluated after their routine clinical care visits.  
Participants will also be recruited from other patient populations in the Johns Hopkins Health 
System through the use of flyers.  Study procedures will be conducted at the Johns Hopkins CTReP 
office located at the Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center. Recruitment may include Johns Hopkins 
University employees or students but these groups will not be specifically targeted for participation.  
Interested individuals will be interviewed to see whether they meet the basic eligibility criteria to 
participate in the study. Once eligibility has been demonstrated, the potential subjects will be 
instructed to make their first study appointment. We will recruit up to 50 participants over the age of 
18 with healthy skin and they will be split into 2 groups: Group A) 20 volunteers that will apply 
sulforaphane in jojoba oil for up to 7 consecutive nights and have biopsies before and after on both 
photoprotected and photoexposed areas and jojoba oil only only to photoexposed areas for up to 7 
consecutive nights with biopsy after 7 days Group B) 20 volunteers that will have 2 test areas 
irradiated with UV light and biopsies before and 24 hours after UV light irradiation; one of the UV 
treated areas will be pre-treated with sulforaphane for up to 7 consecutive nights and the other UV 
treated areas will be pre-treated with jojoba oil.  
  


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
JHMIRB eFormA  01  
Version 3 Dated:   06/2017  
  
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Group A  
  
Visit 1(day 0):  
During the first scheduled appointment, the research protocol will be discussed with the subject and 
documentation will be obtained of the subject’s consent to participate in the study and the subject’s 
agreement to be contacted about future research studies. Photographs and clinical assessment will 
be taken.  
Once informed consent is obtained, investigators will identify two suitable areas on the 
photoexposed forearm and one suitable area of the photoprotected upper inner arm for study. Each 
participant will receive up to 14ml of broccoli sprout extract (BSE) in jojoba oil, containing 
7000nmol of sulforaphane. 500nmol of sulforaphane will be applied each night on each suitable 
area for up to 7 consecutive nights. Additionally, each participant will receive up to 14 ml of jojoba 
oil only to be applied each night on one of the photoexposed site.  All areas will be occluded with 
saran wrap every night. A demonstration and verbal instructions for how and where to apply study 
drug will be provided to subjects.  
During this visit, investigators will perform clinical assessments, elasticity measurements, and up to 
two 6 mm punch, one from each area.    
  
Visit 2 ( up to day 7):   
During this visit, investigators will perform clinical assessment, elasticity measurements and up to 
three 6 mm punch, one from each area.  
  
Visit 3 (day 10-14):  
During this visit investigators will remove sutures from biopsies taken on visit 1.  
  
  
Visit 4 (day 17-21):  
During this visit investigators will remove sutures from biopsies taken on visit 2.  
  
Group B  
Visit 1:  
During the first scheduled appointment, the research protocol will be discussed with the subject and 
documentation will be obtained of the subject’s consent to participate in the study and the subject’s 
agreement to be contacted about future research studies. Photographs and clinical assessment will 
be taken.  
Once informed consent is obtained, investigators will identify 2 suitable test areas on the 
photoprotected upper inner arm for study. Test area dimensions will be about 17 x 17 mm in 
diameter, the spot size produced by the department’s UV device. Each participant will receive up to 
7 ml of broccoli sprout extract (BSE) in jojoba oil, containing 3500nmol of sulforaphane and up to 
7 ml of jojoba oil only 500 nmol of sulforaphane will be applied each night to Test Area #1 for up 
to 7 consecutive nights. Additionally, jojoba oil only will be applied each night to Test Area #2 for 
up to 7 consecutive nights.  Areas will be occluded with saran wrap every night. A demonstration 
and verbal instructions for how and where to apply study drug will be provided to subjects.  Clinical 
assessment and elasticity measurements will be performed during this visit as well.  
   


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
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Visit 2:  
UV Light Irradiation: Within 1 to 7 days of BSE and jojoba oil only application, investigators will 
deliver a fixed dose of UV light to Test Area #1 and Test Area #2. Subjects will be asked to return 
on-site up to 3 days after UV exposure for biopsy.  
  
Visit 3:  
During this visit, investigators will perform clinical assessment, elasticity measurements and three 6 
mm punch, one from each Test Area and one from normal, unirradiated skin, also on the upper 
inner arm, to serve as a control.  
  
Visit 4:  
Subjects will return on-site 10-14 days after biopsy to have sutures removed.  
  
Photography: Standardized digital photographs will be obtained by study staff using a digital 
camera and software under standard photographic conditions at each study visit. Participants’ 
eyes will be blacked out to de-identify facial photos. Photograph files will be coded to remove 
personal identifiers and stored on a secure hard drive in CTReP.   
  
Clinical assessment: Clinical assessments will be performed to 1) record baseline skin findings 
2) to identify up to 4 suitable areas for biopsy, 3) give information/demonstration about 
sulforaphane application and 4) to identify occurrence of any adverse events.  
  
Cutometer: Cutometer readings will be taken from photoprotected and photoexposed areas, 
before and after sulforaphane and after jojoba oil only application on Group A and from normal 
skin, Test Area #1 and #2 after UV irradiation on Group B. The cutometer, frequently used in 
cosmetic dermatology research, applies precise suction to a small area of the skin (6mm 
diameter). Skin is drawn into the aperture of the probe via negative/vacuum pressure and after a 
defined time, released again. The resistance of the skin to the negative pressure (firmness) and 
its ability to return into its original position (elasticity) are displayed as curves (penetration 
depth in mm/time) in real time during the measurement. This measurement principle provides 
information about the elastic and mechanical properties of skin surface and enables the study 
team to objectively quantify skin aging. The procedure is non-invasive and does not cause any 
discomfort.  
  
Ballistometer: Ballistometer readings will be taken from photoprotected and photoexposed 
areas, before and after sulforaphane or jojoba oil only application in Group A and from normal 
skin, Test Area #1 and #2 after UV irradiation on Group B. The ballistometer allows us to 
measure skin firmness and elasticity by dropping a small probe onto the skin. After the collision 
of the probe with the skin’s surface, we measure the rebound height of the probe. The number of 
rebounds and amplitude of the rebounds provide information about the rate of energy 
dampening and bounce profile of the skin’s surface. Again, this is a non-invasive procedure and 
does not cause any discomfort.  
  


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
JHMIRB eFormA  01  
Version 3 Dated:   06/2017  
  
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UV light irradiation: We will use a Lumera UVB light phototherapy device which allows for 
targeted delivery of controlled doses of UVB radiation (emission spectrum 290-320 nm).  
  
Skin biopsies: up to five skin punch biopsies (up to 6 mm in diameter) from Group A will be 
taken in order to conduct the laboratory work. Two from the untreated control areas,two after up 
to 7 days applying sulforaphane, and one after up to 7 days applying jojoba oil only to a 
photoexposed site. Up to three skin punch biopsies (up to 6 mm in diameter) from Group B will 
be taken in order to conduct to the laboratory work. One from control area, one from UV 
irradiated area after topical jojoba oil only and one from UV irradiated area after topical 
sulforaphane. All areas will be biopsied using standard punch biopsy tools and following 
standard clinical protocols, including cleansing the skin with an alcohol wipe and injecting local 
anesthesia with lidocaine and epinephrine. No more than five total skin biopsies will be obtained 
from a volunteer over the course of the study.  After removal of the tissue sample, one or two 
sutures are placed to close the circular opening.  Sutures are removed and a scar is formed, but 
typically heals well without complications and blends well with the surrounding skin.  Routine 
post-biopsy care instructions will be provided and volunteers will be instructed to return in 10 to 
14 days to have sutures removed and for assessment of healing.  
  
Laboratory studies: Tissue work-up may include but not limited to cryosectioning and 
immunofluorescence staining and protein or RNA extraction for molecular assays (RT-PCR 
and/or qPCR for select mRNAs and western blotting for select protein antigens). The levels of 
keratin 1, keratin 5, keratin 10, keratin 14, keratin 16, keratin 17, and Nrf2 will be studied with 
both immunofluorescence and RNA PCR. Dr Pierre Coulombe laboratory from the Department 
of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns 
Hopkins University has successfully applied this strategy.  
  
b. Study duration and number of study visits required of research participants.  
  
The study consists of up to 4 on-site study visits within a 3 week period, including the suture 
removal visit.  We will allow 4 years to complete the study.  
  
c. Blinding, including justification for blinding or not blinding the trial, if applicable.    
NOT APPLICABLE  
  
d. Justification of why participants will not receive routine care or will have current therapy 
stopped.  
NOT APPLICABLE  
  
e. Justification for inclusion of a placebo or non-treatment group.  
NOT APPLICABLE  
  
f. Definition of treatment failure or participant removal criteria.  
Any clinical findings determined by the Investigator to be important and/or unusual will be 
referred to as an adverse event (AE). Study participants are asked to contact clinic staff 


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
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immediately if they experience a reaction to the topical sulforaphane at any time during the 
study. Expected reactions may be documented in a problem events log. The investigator will use 
his discretion to remove participants form the study, and all problem events will be reported to 
IRB.  
  
g. Description of what happens to participants receiving therapy when study ends or if a 
participant’s participation in the study ends prematurely.  
NOT APPLICABLE  
  
5.  
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria 
Inclusion:  
1. Participants must be over the age of 18 years old with healthy skin;  
2. Must be healthy enough to undergo skin biopsy, UV light irradiation, and other study 
procedures in the opinion of the investigator;  
3. Must be willing to comply with the requirements of the protocol;  
4. Must have the ability to understand and communicate with the investigator;  
5. Participant must provide informed consent.  
  
Exclusion:  
1. 
Subjects who are unable to provide informed consent;  
2. 
Subject with significant medical history or current skin diseases that the investigator feels is 
not safe for study participation;  
3. 
Subjects who have been treated with systemic retinoids or steroids within the past month 
prior to entry to the study;  
4. 
Subjects who have been treated with topical steroids, retinoids or other topical drugs used 
within 2 weeks prior to entry to the study;  
5. 
Recently treated or current skin diseases that would affect clinical evaluation and biopsy;  
6. 
Subjects with a known allergy to broccoli.  
7. 
Presence or suspicion of bleeding disorder or diathesis which would complicate biopsy.  
8. 
Subjects with a history of excessive scar or keloid formation in the past 10 years.  
9. 
Pregnant or nursing subjects (self-reported).  
10. 
Subjects with known allergy to anesthetics used.  
11. 
Patients with history of investigational drug use in the 30 days prior to entry into the study.  
  
  
6. Drugs/ Substances/ Devices  
  
Jojoba oil was chosen based on its known lipophilic nature and ability to permeate deeply 
into skin 9. In a prior study performed in SKH-1 hairless mice (which feature thicker epidermis, 
more akin to human than furry mouse strains), topical sulforaphane induced K16 and K17 best 
when administered in jojoba oil.  Dermabase, another widely used vehicle, was also tested in this 
study; however, as Dermabase was found to induce K16/K17 alone even without sulforaphane 


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
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added, it was deemed not to be an appropriate vehicle to measure the effects of sulforaphane-
containing broccoli sprout extract. 10   
The equivalent of 500nmol of sulforaphane (delivered in the form of broccoli sprout extract) 
was chosen as the dosage to be used as it has been previously been shown to be tolerable to 
human skin up to a dose of 681nmol when it caused a transient 3mm erythematous macule.10 By 
using jojoba oil coupled with occlusion under saran wrap, we hope to demonstrate penetration of 
broccoli sprout extract’s effect to the basal layer of the epidermis. Broccoli sprout extract is a 
natural substance that has been orally ingested for thousands of years. It has been used topically 
and orally with no adverse events.9-11  
Lidocaine with epinephrine will be used as a local anesthetic to the biopsy sites prior to the 
biopsy procedure.  The drug used in the study will be the same drug provided for the entire 
Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology. There will not be a separate batch of this drug for 
the sole purposes of this study as this study is not a clinical trial and use of the drug is unlikely 
to interfere with study results.  
Skin elasticity measurements will be obtained using a cutometer (Cutometer® MPA 580) 
and a ballistometer (Dia-stron Limited Dermal Torsional Ballistometer). The only stimulus to 
the participant via cutometer is a light vacuum suction of the skin via a 6mm diameter probe. 
The resistance of the skin to be sucked up by negative pressure (firmness) and its ability to 
return into its original position (elasticity) are displayed as curves. The accompanying software 
allows us to calculate different parameters like the ability of the skin to return to its original state 
and the tiring effects of the skin after repeated suction. The ballistometer probe lightly taps the 
skin and bounces repeatedly on the test site before coming to rest. An optical sensor monitors 
the position of the probe and the positional data is transmitted to the PC software. It does not 
cause any discomfort to the subject, but offers measurements of skin firmness and dynamic 
resilience of skin. Both devices are non invasive and have been approved by the Department of 
Clinical Engineering.  
  
The UVB light radiation will be administered using the Lumera Targeted Phototherapy 
system (Daavlin, Bryan OH, USA). Buttock skin will be irradiated using a hand-held fiber optic 
cable with an adjustable aperture size. The JHU Department of Dermatology has already purchased 
this device and it has been approved by the Department of Clinical Engineering. The device has an 
emission spectrum in the ultraviolet B range of 290-320 nm. This device is FDA approved for the 
treatment of several dermatologic diseases, such as psoriasis, seborrheic and atopic dermatitis, and 
vitiligo, and can be safely used on all skin types (I-VI). The system consists of a light source, a spot 
handpiece, and a light guide that connects the handpiece to the light source. The light source has a 
timer and an output level control to adjust the intensity of the ultraviolet light. The device will be 
calibrated using a manufacturer-provided UV meter prior to every use to ensure accurate doses of 
ultraviolet light.     
  
7.   
Study Statistics  
We are collaborating with researchers from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular 
Biology and Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University. The skin biopsies 
will be analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and molecular analyses for keratin 1, keratin 
5, keratin 10, keratin 14, keratin 16, keratin 17, and Nrf2 activation.   
  
  


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
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8.  
Risks  
It is possible that there will be skin irritation of the skin.  Risks include irritant dermatitis 
and/or contact dermatitis, itching sensations from the sulforaphane.  Risk events, problems, and 
deviations will be immediately reported by the PI to the IRB.    
  
Risks include potential bleeding and a slight risk of infection from the punch biopsies.  As 
with any cut in the skin, a scar will develop, although its appearance will likely fade over time.  
We will screen carefully for keloids in our exclusion criteria, but in rare individuals with no 
prior keloid history, keloids or excessive scarring may develop at the biopsy site.  As with any 
biopsy, there is a risk of pain or discomfort from the procedure.    
  
There are no anticipated risks or discomforts associated with gross mechanical 
measurements of elasticity.  
  
There is a risk of sunburn from the UV treatment, although the risk is minimal given the 
small area affected and limited numbers of treatments. There is a risk of ultraviolet injury to the 
eyes. Both the operator and subjects will wear UV blocking protective eyewear provided by the 
device manufacturer. The provided eyewear meets the ANSI Z87.1-2003 standard and blocks 
99.9% of UV in wavelengths 180-380 nm and has wrap-around side shields. In addition, the 
treatment area is the buttock, so even inadvertent eye exposure is highly unlikely.  
  
In terms of confidentiality, there are minimal risks as all study participant information will 
be de-identified.  Since this is an exploratory study, no confidential or protected information 
would be taken outside of the standard.  There is a slight financial risk to the participants in the 
rare event that the above complications occur requiring additional medical care.  
  
  
9.  
Benefits  
There will be no direct benefit to the participant as a result of this study.  Instead, the 
potential benefit will be to society at large. We hope to better understand the differences on 
keratins’ expression on phototexposed and photoprotected skin, after acute UV light exposure 
and also if sulforaphane can play a role on this expression and on skin elasticity.   
  
10.  
Payment and Remuneration  
Study participants who undergo all study procedures, including correct application of 
sulforaphane, non-invasive measurements, UV light irradiation (if in Group B) and biopsies (up to 
5for Group A and up to 3 for Group B) will receive a total of $100 at completion of the study.  
  
11.  
Costs  
  
Study costs will be borne by the Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology and Dr.  
Coulombe’s lab. The sulforaphane-jajoba oil product will be provided by Dr. Coulombe’s lab.   
  


Date: 06/16/2017  
Principal Investigator: Dr Anna Chien, MD  
Application Number: IRB00105668  
  
  
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12. References  
  
1. Dinkova-Kostova AT, Talalay P, Sharkey J, et al. An exceptionally potent inducer of cytoprotective 
enzymes: elucidation of the structural features that determine inducer potency and reactivity with 
Keap1. J Biol Chem 2010;285:33747-55.  
2. Talalay P, Fahey JW, Healy ZR, et al. Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against 
damage by UV radiation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007;104:17500-5.  
3. Shapiro TA, Fahey JW, Dinkova-Kostova AT, et al. Safety, tolerance, and metabolism of broccoli 
sprout glucosinolates and isothiocyanates: a clinical phase I study. Nutr Cancer 2006;55:53-62.  
4. Egner PA, Chen JG, Wang JB, et al. Bioavailability of Sulforaphane from two broccoli sprout 
beverages: results of a short-term, cross-over clinical trial in Qidong, China. Cancer Prev Res (Phila) 
2011;4:384-95.  
5. Singh K, Connors SL, Macklin EA, et al. Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). 
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014;111:15550-5.  
6. Kerns ML1, DePianto D, Dinkova-Kostova AT, Talalay P, Coulombe PA. Reprogramming of keratin 
biosynthesis by sulforaphane restores skin integrity in epidermolysis bullosa simplex. Proc Natl Acad 
Sci U S A. 2007 Sep 4;104(36):14460-5.  
7. Sikdar S1, Papadopoulou M1, Dubois J1. What do we know about sulforaphane protection against 
photoaging? J Cosmet Dermatol. 2016 Mar;15(1):72-7.  
8. Battie C, Jitsukawa S, Bernerd F, Del Bino S, Marionnet C, Verschoore M. New insights in photoaging, 
UVA induced damage and skin types. Experimental Dermatology, 2014, 23 (Suppl. 1), 7–12.  
9. Mbah CJ. Studies on the lipophilicity of vehicles (or co-vehicles) and botanical oils used in cosmetic 
products. Pharmazie 2007;62:351-3.  
10. Dinkova-Kostova A, Fahey J, Wade J, et al. Induction of the phase 2 response in mouse and human skin 
by sulforaphane-containing broccoli sprout extract. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 
2007;16(4):847-51.  
11. Singh K, Connors SL, Macklin EA, et al. Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).  
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014;111:15550-5.