Development and application of phenolic-rich oats for the maintenance of cardiovascular health

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The intake of dietary-derived phenolic acids, including ferulic acid, caffeic acid and p-coumaric acid have been shown to improve microvasculature blood flow and large artery function in humans. These beneficial effects have been attributed to their potential to improve endothelial function by increasing NO availability. This proposal is designed to test the hypothesis that phenolic acids found within oat-based diets may promote vascular function via their potential to enhance NO bioavailability to the vascular endothelium, through effects on NADPH oxidase activity and NO production.

Initially, we will analyse various oat varieties for their polyphenols profile, selecting low and high containing ones for the clinical work. Acute blood flow changes in response to oat intervention will be assessed by conducting a randomised, controlled, crossover intervention study to assess vascular function in healthy human volunteers: Vascular function will be assessed by flow mediated dilatation (FMD) and laser Doppler imaging (LDI). In order that we can make causal relationships between the phenolics in the oats and vascular outcomes, we will also assess plasma levels of phenolic metabolites by using established analytical methods (HPLC with UV-visible, fluorescent and mass detection). We will also assess the modulation of endothelial NO levels by measurement of the circulating NO pool using gas-phase chemiluminescence and the activity of NAPDPH oxidase (enzymatically and by flow cytometry). Metabolic phenotyping/profiling will be undertaken on urine samples (baseline and 24 h) and blood (3 time points) using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Lastly, the modulation of NO cell signalling (PI3 kinase/Akt and downstream eNOS levels) will be assessed in cultured endothelial cells exposed to physiological phenolic acid metabolites by Western immunoblotting.

This proposal will further our understanding of the impact of diet on human cardiovascular function. The proposal will make available underpinning science to provide the world's growing population with a sustainable, secure supply of safe, nutritious, and affordable high-quality food. The outcomes of our research will encourage the development of a variety of new, healthy oat-based food products relevant to the UK market. The proposal addresses the strategic priority: Global Food Security: sustainable, healthy and safe diets and has relevance to the strategic grand challenge 1 within the BBSRC delivery plan (2012-2015): "Food security". The proposal will also impact on the BBSRCs Fundamental bioscience focus area in that it will provide underpinning science for the understanding and prevention of cardiovascular disease throughout a healthy diet.
Industry: There is a huge, and growing, demand for novel functional foods that provide health benefits and this is particularly the case with those designed for cardiovascular health. In the US alone (the largest market for functional foods) a 21% growth in the functional foods market is expected in the coming years owing to the growing demand for functional foods, expected to reach $8.62 billion by 2015. PepsiCo agreed to part-fund our research because of its potential to determine cause-and-effect data relating to polyphenols intake and cardiovascular efficacy. Our research will provide industry with the confidence to invest in new polyphenols-containing products aimed at vascular enhancement and will provide a foundation for the development of EFSA/FDA health claims on specific polyphenol containing products. Thus, the proposal will be applicable to a variety of companies manufacturing wholegrain-based products. The proposal will provide fundamental data to aid in the development of a wide array of novel products over the next 5-10 years. The requirement for novel dietary approaches designed to improve cardiovascular health has never been greater given the increased incidence of CVD. This proposal will provide the scientific basis for the design, and manufacture of novel phenolic acid containing products for future exploitation.
General Public: The ability of polyphenols to enhance human vascular function has the potential to benefit the whole population. Understanding more about how specific diets may promote healthy cardiovascular aging and improve endothelial function will have important societal and economic impacts to the general public, encouraging the population to make more informed healthy food choices. Over three million Britons currently suffer from CVD and healthy food choices will improve quality of life and address issues of sustainability and food security. There is wide support for this type of research, as previous BBSRC surveys have shown. Although the study findings have most relevance to those at greatest risk of vascular disfunction, the proposed research will have relevance for all individuals. Whilst mortality from CVD has fallen, an increasing older population over the next decade will create further demands on services, with cost of prescriptions for all circulatory disease fast approaching £2 billion per annum. Our proposal is designed to help in the long-term planning of prevention and treatment services to tackle CVD head on. Lastly, the public interest in such science is high, thus the proposal will be highly applicable for wide dissemination through public engagement events.
Government agencies involved in promotion of public health (FSA, DOH, and DEFRA): Understanding more about how specific diets may promote healthy aging and modulate disease progression will help agencies inform the public and encourage them to make more informed and healthy food choices. We anticipate being able to make recommendations about which foods may be most beneficial in promoting healthy cardiovascular aging.