OBJECTIVES: Brain stem death results in ischemic damage of organs. To prevent many agents are being tested this damage. The aim of our study was to determine effects of sulforaphane (SF) on recovery, viability, lipid peroxidation, metabolic and endocrine function of islets isolated from rat pancreata and treated with warm and/or cold ischemia and then transplanted syngeneically. METHODS: Rat pancreata were recovered from non-heart beating rats after intraducatal injection of collagenase solution after 15 or 30 minutes of warm ischemia time (WT). Cold ischemia (CT) was obtained by storage of distended and harvested glands in tubes with UW solution in 4 degrees C for 120 minutes. Sulforaphane was administered 24 hours before isolation islets in concentration 24mg/kg b.w. Diabetes was achieved by intravenouse injection of streptozotocin (STZ 65mg/kg b.w.). Islets were transplanted into the liver through the portal vein. Experimental protocol included four groups: Group I: fresh pancreata not treated with SF, WT=0, CT=0; Group II: 15 or 30 min. of WT, with or without SF; Group III: 15 or 30 min. of WT and 120 min. of CT, with or without SF; Group IV: 120 min. of CT, with or without SF RESULTS: Stimulation index in all groups with sulforaphane was larger from 1.0 (normal response of islets on high concentration glucose in medium). Metabolic activity (MTT) in group II (WT15, SF), gr. IV (CT, SF) and in gr. III (WT15, CT, SF; p>0.05) was lower compared to control group (I). The concentration of MDA in groups with SF increased as compared to controls. The highest recovery and cell viability was observed in group IV (CT, SF) and in gr. III (WT15, CT, SF; p<0.05). In groups exposed to 30 min. of warm ischemia and/or 120 min. of cold preservation was observed higher % of dead islets cells. In vivo study shows that islets graft isolated from rat pancreata treated with sulforaphane reverse diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Based on results we can conclude that SF in concentration 24mg/kg b.w. reveals protective effect on preserved pancreas and may have a potential clinical implication to improve hemodynamically unstable pancreas donor condition.