Can gene expression profiling identify clinically relevant treatment options for type 2 diabetes?
Broccoli Sprout Sulforaphane (Sci Transl Med 2017, PMID 28615356) — in obese patients with type 2 diabetes, sulforaphane, delivered as concentrated broccoli sprout extract, reduced fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). No numeric effect size is reported for Broccoli Sprout Sulforaphane in the source abstract.
Source: Sci Transl Med 2017, PMID 28615356 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: low
Sci Transl Med · 2017 · PMID 28615356 · DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4477
Sulforaphane, found in broccoli sprouts, may help manage type 2 diabetes by reducing liver glucose production and improving blood sugar control.
The question
Can gene expression profiling identify clinically relevant treatment options for type 2 diabetes?
What they tested
Sulforaphane, identified through gene expression profiling, may reverse the disease signature of type 2 diabetes in the liver and improve glucose control.
How they did it
Researchers analyzed coexpression networks and genetic data to identify a disease signature for type 2 diabetes in liver tissue. They then screened 3800 drug signatures to find compounds that could reverse this signature. Sulforaphane's effects on glucose production were tested in hepatic cells and diabetic animals. Finally, obese patients with dysregulated type 2 diabetes were given concentrated broccoli sprout extract (containing sulforaphane) to assess its impact on fasting blood glucose and HbA1c.
What they found
Sulforaphane suppressed glucose production in hepatic cells by activating NRF2 and decreasing gluconeogenesis enzyme expression. It reversed the disease signature in diabetic animal livers and reduced exaggerated glucose production and glucose intolerance to a similar extent as metformin. In obese patients with type 2 diabetes, sulforaphane, delivered as concentrated broccoli sprout extract, reduced fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
What it means
Gene expression profiling can identify clinically relevant treatment options. Sulforaphane reduces hepatic glucose production and improves glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting it may be a useful treatment.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Title | Sulforaphane reduces hepatic glucose production and improves glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes |
|---|---|
| Journal | Sci Transl Med |
| Year | 2017 |
| PMID | 28615356 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4477 ↗ |
| Topic | Metabolic health, glucose & body composition |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
This citation sits behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are set from the research and are independent of affiliate commissions.
Broccoli Sprout Sulforaphane
Human trials indicate that concentrated broccoli-sprout sulforaphane can modestly lower fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin, most clearly in obese or dysregulated type 2 diabetes and in a subset of people with prediabetes;
Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate phytochemical formed when the plant enzyme myrosinase acts on…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). Can gene expression profiling identify clinically relevant treatment options for type 2 diabetes? [Plain-English summary of Sci Transl Med 2017, PMID 28615356, DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4477]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28615356.html@misc{magellan_d28615356,
title = {Can gene expression profiling identify clinically relevant treatment options for type 2 diabetes?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28615356.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 28615356; DOI 10.1126/scitranslmed.aah4477; Sci Transl Med 2017. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
}https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d28615356.htmlRelated studies in the Magellan library
- Sulforaphane Delays Fibroblast Senescence by Curbing Cellular Glucose Uptake, Increased…Oxid Med Cell Longev · 2018 · PMID 30595796
- Can sulforaphane, delivered as a broccoli sprout extract (BSE), reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis…Nat Microbiol · 2025 · PMID 39929977
- Complications of Diabetes and Metrics of Glycemic Management Derived From Continuous Glucose…J Clin Endocrinol Metab · 2022 · PMID 35094087
- Does carnosine supplementation improve cardiometabolic health and cognitive function in…BMJ Open · 2017 · PMID 28864708
- Effect of carnosine on lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, HbA1C and insulin resistanceComplement Ther Med · 2019 · PMID 31987255
- Prebiotic Inulin Supplementation and Peripheral Insulin Sensitivity in adults at Elevated Risk…Nutrients · 2021 · PMID 34579112
All 22 Magellan summaries on metabolic health, glucose & body composition →
Prefer the interactive version? Open this summary in the Magellan app → · Browse all 314 study summaries →