Laboratory investigations<\/a> Purdue researchers discovered that certain molecules in broccoli, called aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligands, bind to aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHR), a special type of protein known as a transcription factor. They discovered that this compound triggers a range of activities that affect how cells in the small intestine function.<\/p>\nexperiments on mice<\/h2>\n
In the course of their study, the scientists fed a test group of mice a diet containing 15 percent broccoli. For humans, that equates to about 3.5 cups per day. On the other hand, a control group of mice received a conventional laboratory diet without broccoli. The animals’ tissues were then analyzed to determine the degree of AHR activation, as well as the amount of different cell types, mucus concentrations, and other factors in both groups.<\/p>\n
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The research team found that mice that were not fed broccoli lacked AHR activity. This resulted in a change in the function of the small intestinal barrier, reduced transit time for food in the small intestine, reduced number of goblet cells and protective mucus, reduced Paneth cells and lysosomal production, and decreased number of enterocytes.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThe gut health of mice that did not eat broccoli was compromised in several ways known to be associated with the disease. Our research suggests that broccoli and other foods likely may serve as natural sources of AHR linkages and that a diet rich in these linkages contributes to the elasticity of the small intestine.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Laboratory Tests, doi: 10.1016\/j.labinv.2022.100012<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n