Pharmacokinetics of broccoli sprout extract in preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy characterised by high blood pressure and organ damage, particularly affecting the kidneys and liver. It can progress rapidly and is a leading cause of premature birth and maternal and infant mortality worldwide. Currently, the only definitive treatment is delivery of the baby — sometimes dangerously early — and there are very few medications that can safely be used during pregnancy to treat the underlying problem. Broccoli sprouts contain a natural compound called sulforaphane, which has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may target some of the biological processes that cause preeclampsia. This early-phase study aims to determine what dose of broccoli sprout extract is appropriate for pregnant women with preeclampsia, as the first step before a larger trial can be conducted. To be eligible you need to be a pregnant woman aged 18 to 45 with a diagnosis of preeclampsia (confirmed by specialist guidelines), be more than 24 weeks pregnant, have a single baby (not twins), and be stable enough to safely continue the pregnancy for at least 48 hours. Women who are not able to safely continue the pregnancy, who have inflammatory bowel disease, or who are enrolled in another clinical trial are not eligible.