Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Emerging therapeutics are used to alleviate intestinal inflammation and microbial dysbiosis including dietaryx000D
supplies of prebiotics and probiotics. Digestion resistant starch (DRS) represents a diverse range of dietaryx000D
carbohydrates bypassing into the lower gut where it undergoes microbial fermentation. DRS has beenx000D
investigated in the past years for its effects on gut health via balancing the microbiota composition and shortx000D
chain fatty acid levels. It is speculated that DRS can reduce colitis symptoms and pathology throughx000D
modification of the gut microbiota, possible regulation of local inflammatory cytokines and its effects onx000D
mucosal barrier system.x000D
MSPrebiotic Inc., a Manitoba-based global biotechnological company, has developed a popular potato DRSx000D
product named MSPrebiotic®. The company is seeking a project to optimize their recommendations forx000D
administration of MSPrebiotic® either as a preventative and/or therapeutic tool for reducing gut inflammationx000D
and improving gut health.x000D
Here, we investigate the protective and therapeutic effects of DRS (MSPrebiotic®) in a pig model ofx000D
experimental colitis. Pigs will receive 5 different treatments including 1) basal control diet, 2) colitis-inducingx000D
diet (1% carrageenan gum), 3) DRS diet, 4) colitis-inducing diet for 2 weeks followed by introduction of DRSx000D
diet (to measure therapeutic effect of DRS), and 5) DRS diet for 2 weeks followed by a colitis-inducing diet (tox000D
measure the protective effect of DRS). Fecal consistency and large intestine histology will be used as measuresx000D
of gastrointestinal inflammation. Blood samples will be analyzed for systemic inflammatory markers. Gutx000D
microbiota profile will be assed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing in-house followed by prediction ofx000D
functional capacity of the microbial community using PICRUSt. The outcome of this research will help thex000D
company to optimize their recommendations for the use of MSPrebiotic® as a preventative and/or therapeuticx000D
approach for reducing gut inflammation and improving gut health.