Descrizione del progetto
Il ruolo della fibra alimentare nell’omeostasi intestinale
La colite microscopica (CM) è una malattia cronica associata a un’infiammazione intestinale lieve. Considerando l’aumento dell’incidenza della malattia infiammatoria intestinale e il potenziale dell’infiammazione intestinale nel causare infiammazione periferica e malattia metabolica, si avverte l’urgente esigenza di comprenderne i meccanismi alla base. Per affrontare questo problema, gli scienziati del progetto FIBCOLIT, finanziato dall’UE, indagheranno l’impatto delle fibre alimentari fermentabili sulla fisiologia e l’infiammazione intestinale. Attraverso uno studio d’intervento sui pazienti con CM, il progetto seguirà un approccio multiomico per esaminare i cambiamenti indotti dalle fibre alimentari in marcatori di infiammazione, microbiota intestinale e benessere. La correlazione tra queste fibre e l’omeostasi intestinale potrebbe introdurre un’opzione non farmaceutica per prevenire e gestire le malattie infiammatorie dell’intestino.
Obiettivo
The FIBCOLIT project investigates the impact of fermentable dietary fibres (DFs) on intestinal physiology and inflammation via dietary intervention study in human patients with microscopic colitis (MC), a chronic disease characterised by sustained mild intestinal inflammation. This subject topic has significant interest for public health considering 1) the increased global incidence and prevalence of inflammatory bowel diseases in the last 20 years, and 2) the increased scientific knowledge regarding the role of intestinal inflammation in driving the development of systemic inflammation in metabolic diseases. Currently, considerable knowledge gaps exists regarding the biological and physiological mechanisms that maintain and modulate intestinal homeostasis as well as the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to chronic intestinal inflammation. The FIBCOLIT project aims to answer these open scientific questions through a multi-omics approach employing several analytical methods to examine DF-induced changes in intestinal barrier function, inflammatory markers, intestinal microbiota composition and functionality, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, and general well-being. The projects utilises a DF known to promote the production of luminal butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that has been associated with several positive health effects. Overall, the project's methodology allows specific targeting of the mechanistic links between DF intake, butyrate, and intestinal health. Should DF supplementation prove effective at restoring intestinal homeostasis, it could potentially offer a non-pharmaceutical option to the prevention and management of diseases characterised by chronic intestinal inflammation. The project results could potentially also serve as starting point in the development of functional foods for the general public.
Campo scientifico
Parole chiave
Programma(i)
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Meccanismo di finanziamento
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
70182 Orebro
Svezia