Prevention by sulforaphane of diabetic cardiomyopathy is associated with up-regulation of Nrf2 expression and transcription activation

► Reportedly sulforaphane (SFN) prevents the experimental diabetic nephropathy. ► Here we demonstrated that SFN also prevented diabetic cardiomyopathy. ► SFN increased Nrf2 expression and transcription function in vitro and in vivo. ► Nrf2 siRNA prevented SFN protection from high glucose-induced changes in H9C2 cells. ► SFN cardioprotection from diabetes was long-sustained after the end of SFN treatment.