Fighting atherogenic TMAO with food and probiotics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of East Anglia
Department Name: Graduate Office
Abstract
This project seeks to identify dietary components that can decrease the levels of trimethylamine-Noxide (TMAO) which causes atherosclerosis and is strongly associated with several causes of death (e.g. heart failure) and with diseases such as diabetes, Alzheimer's and chronic kidney disease. TMAO is formed in the liver from TMA that is produced exclusively by certain bacteria in the human gut from dietary compounds such as choline and carnitine. There is no effective, sustainable treatment for reducing TMAO levels. Our recent research has provided preliminary evidence that polyphenols and dietary fibre can reduce production of TMA/TMAO. Another plausible strategy for reducing TMA production in the gut is to use probiotics to alter the structure and function of the microbiota towards a low TMA production phenotype (e.g. by competitive exclusion of microbes that produce TMA).
This project seeks to (i) identify signatures of the gut microbiota that distinguish low and high TMAO individuals using NGS/bioinformatics and qPCR methods to characterise the structure and function of the microbiota and relate this with TMAO phenotype, (ii) screen polyphenols, fibres, probiotics and combinations to identify a highly effective treatment for reducing TMA production using an in vitro colon model, and (iii) determine the mode of action of the effective treatment.
This project seeks to (i) identify signatures of the gut microbiota that distinguish low and high TMAO individuals using NGS/bioinformatics and qPCR methods to characterise the structure and function of the microbiota and relate this with TMAO phenotype, (ii) screen polyphenols, fibres, probiotics and combinations to identify a highly effective treatment for reducing TMA production using an in vitro colon model, and (iii) determine the mode of action of the effective treatment.
People |
ORCID iD |
Paul Kroon (Primary Supervisor) | |
Barbora Peck (Student) |
Publications
Day-Walsh P
(2021)
The use of an in-vitro batch fermentation (human colon) model for investigating mechanisms of TMA production from choline, L-carnitine and related precursors by the human gut microbiota.
in European journal of nutrition
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BB/M011216/1 | 30/09/2015 | 31/03/2024 | |||
2246526 | Studentship | BB/M011216/1 | 30/09/2019 | 31/12/2023 | Barbora Peck |
Description | ADM Protexin |
Organisation | Archer Daniels Midland |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Investigation of the effect of probiotic supplements on in-vitro fermentation of amine compounds. Use of different in-vitro fermentation models to determine the growth of probiotic strains with or without faecal inoculum. |
Collaborator Contribution | Hosting of an industrial placement in the Medical Affairs Team of ADM Health and Wellness. |
Impact | Industrial placement with ADM Health and Wellness Medical Affairs Team for two weeks. |
Start Year | 2019 |
Description | Food Standards Agency |
Organisation | Food Standards Agency (FSA) |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | Review of literature that contributes to policy making and recommendations of things to consider when designing and evaluating policy. |
Collaborator Contribution | Hosting of a 3 month Policy Internship funded by UKRI. They provided extensive training and experience in policy making, stakeholder engagement and communication of policy to different media. I attended their Policy Profession Conference and Civil Service Learning courses. |
Impact | Evaluation of research and evidence used for policy making through writing of a report focused on the effect of different socioeconomic factors on management of health conditions and quality of life. |
Start Year | 2022 |
Description | Human Microbiome MOOC |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | The aim of this activity was to provide a comprehensive learning resource that can be accessible online through a training platform and educate public on the Human Microbiome and different aspect of its interaction with human health and food. The course had a wide reach with 7,856 enrolled on the course. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/the-human-microbiome |
Description | Pint of Science |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | Pint of Science is a multi-national organisation that organises events aimed at general public and academics to facilitate science communication in an informal setting. In 2020, I published a twitter thread relating to the research project online and gathered around 6000 impressions and 148 engagements with the project. In 2021, I helped organise a live event focused on Breast Health with presentations from researchers across the Norwich Research Park. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020,2021 |
Description | Research Integrity Working Group |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The aim of the working group is to unify the policies relating to research integrity, quality assurance and research culture at the Quadram Institute Bioscience and produce a comprehensive manual for staff to follow and refer to. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |
Description | School visit (Hethersett) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | PhD students from our institute visited Hethersett primary school to provide a workshop with 60 of year 2 pupils to educate them on the 'eat well plate', this involved the children going to different stations and discussing all the different food groups and why they're important as well as coming up with a balanced meal. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | Science behind Healthy Eating |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The aim of this presentation was to engage attendees with healthy eating ideas and share some knowledge about preparing healthy meals from nutritious ingredients. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021,2022 |