DIetary plAnt extracts, colonic MicrObes, and APOE geNetics interactions stuDy (DIAMOND).
Research type
Research Study
Full title
APOE Genotype, Dietary Bioactives and Gut Microbiome Interaction Study
IRAS ID
319832
Contact name
David Vauzour
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 7 months, 25 days
Research summary
In an ageing population, the incidence of dementia is rapidly increasing and poses a significant financial, societal, and above all, personal burden. Aside from ageing, the type of APOE gene an individual carries (their APOE genotype) is the greatest risk factor for the development of cognitive decline. It has been shown that the APOE genotype of an individual influences the types of bacteria present in your gut. These bacteria have recently emerged as a significant contributor to nutrition and health and have been suggested to influence brain functioning through complex connections between the gut and the brain.
Nutrition is considered important for brain function throughout life, and findings from recent studies have suggested that reactive compounds extracted from edible plants (dietary bioactives) can improve brain function and change function and composition of the gut bacteria. Dietary bioactives are a range of natural compounds found in great concentrations within fruits and vegetables which influence the body. An example of a dietary bioactive is a group of compounds known as polyphenols. These polyphenols are described as antioxidants and are found in various foods, including berries, apples, tea, and cocoa. We previously identified in a mouse model that the bacteria present in your colon and the metabolism of a cocoa-based plant extract varies between genotypes. This study would like to investigate whether the same effect is identified in humans.
To this end, participants will be screened and recruited into the DIetary plAnt-based extracts, colonic MicrObes, and APOE geNetics interactions (DIAMOND) study. We will take a spit sample, and from this, we will identify what copy of the APOE gene they are carrying (identify their genotype). The BMI, age, sex along with food frequency questionnaires will also be taken. Participants that fall into the genotype, age, and sex categories of interest will be requested to donate a stool sample. This stool sample will be run through a colon model. The colon model will be inoculated with chemically active extracts from plants. We will measure the production of metabolites by the bacteria in the model, as well as the shifts in the number and type of bacteria present in the model. From these results, we will be able to identify whether the bacteria in the human colon differ and whether the metabolism of the plant-based extracts varies depending on what form of the APOE gene an individual carries.REC name
East Midlands - Nottingham 2 Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0049
Date of REC Opinion
3 Apr 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion