Therapeutic Effect of a Leucine-Rich Diet on the Gut Microbiota in Pregnant Walker-256 Tumour-bearing Rats.

• Grant number: 24/20267-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Maria Cristina Cintra Gomes Marcondes
• Grantee: Maria Fernanda Cortez Ottani
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Cancer and pregnancy, individually, already cause significant changes in the offspring. However, in association, they cause hormonal and metabolic alterations that can potentially enhance the adverse effects on the mother and fetus. Recent studies suggest that changes in the gut microbiota can influence cancer and that leucine, a branched-chain amino acid, may positively affect the modulation of the gut microbiota. Based on these studies, this research project aims to analyse the role of the gut microbiota during pregnancy associated with cancer and investigate whether leucine supplementation can have a positive effect on the animal. A preclinical study will be conducted with pregnant Wistar rats, which will be distributed into four groups: control (C), leucine (L), Walker-256 (W), and leucine + Walker-256 (WL). During the 20 days of gestation, the animals' body weight will be monitored, and after euthanasia, the small and large intestines will be collected for histological analysis, and faeces will be collected for PCR analysis and identification of the strains present in microbiota. The leucine group will receive a diet containing 18% protein and 3% leucine, while the control group will receive a normoproteic diet with 18% protein. The results of this study may contribute to understanding the role of microbiota during pregnancy in association with a leucine-rich diet, the variation in this supplementation, and potential effects on the microbiota.