| Grant number: | 22/12834-2 |
| Support Opportunities: | Regular Research Grants |
| Start date: | July 01, 2023 |
| End date: | June 30, 2027 |
| Field of knowledge: | Agronomical Sciences - Food Science and Technology - Food Science |
| Agreement: | Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) |
| Principal Investigator: | Joao Paulo Fabi |
| Grantee: | Joao Paulo Fabi |
| Principal researcher abroad: | Ferdinand von Meyenn |
| Institution abroad: | Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich , Switzerland |
| Host Institution: | Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCF). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil |
| City of the host institution: | São Paulo |
Abstract
The consumption of dietary fiber from fruits benefits human health by reducing the incidence of chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The soluble fibers of the fruits are derived from pectins that can be chemically modified and can then exert immunomodulatory action in the colon. These bioactive modified pectins are formed by galacturonans and low molecular weight galactans that are expected to interact with receptors and proteins of the gut intestinal cells and thereby mediating their beneficial effects. While simple two-dimensional in vitro models have been used in the past and support the health promoting notion of these bioactive modified pectins, better experimental models are needed to recapitulate human gut physiology and study the molecular and cellular interactions and mechanisms of these factors. The primary objective of this proposal is to establish a platform to assess food-health interactions in novel, advanced, (three-dimensional) preclinical in vitro models and then assess the relationship between the chemical structure of the modified pectins of two fruits (papaya and passion fruit) and their effects on cell state, transcription, epigenome, as well as gut physiology and beneficial effects. These results will be correlated to the outcomes of a (small) clinical trial, to assess the health promoting effects of these pectins in vivo and validate the newly established preclinical in vitro model. The results could open new opportunities for the development of (broadly available) dietary supplements that will help to maintain gut health and reduce the risk of developing intestinal diseases. (AU)
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