The Potential Benefit Of Resistant Starch On Zinc Retention And Its Potential For Utilisation In Infants At Risk Of Zinc Deficiency.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$101,991.00
Summary
Resistant starch (RS) can promote absorption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the large intestine. As zinc deficiency in children from the developing world remains a major public health issue, we will use a rodent model to determine if RS can improve zinc absorption in growing rats with preceeding zinc deficiency. In parallel we will also determine whether infants, who are most vulnerable to the effects of zinc deficiency, have the gut bacteria required to utilise the potential and ....Resistant starch (RS) can promote absorption of minerals such as calcium and magnesium from the large intestine. As zinc deficiency in children from the developing world remains a major public health issue, we will use a rodent model to determine if RS can improve zinc absorption in growing rats with preceeding zinc deficiency. In parallel we will also determine whether infants, who are most vulnerable to the effects of zinc deficiency, have the gut bacteria required to utilise the potential and known health benefits of RS.Read moreRead less
Involvement Of Interstitial Cells Of Cajal In The Pathogenesis Of Diabetic Gastroparesis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$386,104.00
Summary
Diabetics commonly suffer from gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating and nausea. We have preliminary evidence that interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC), which are essential for normal gut motility, are particularly vunerable to damage in diabetes. The goal of this study is to determine how the loss of ICC in diabetes leads to delayed gastric emptying. Our overall aim is to identify potential therapeutic targets for improved treatment of diabetes-related gastrointestinal motility disorders.
Proteins form up to 25% of our diet. The first step in protein absorption is the digestion of protein into smaller units called peptides and amino acids. Both components are subsequently taken up by specialised cells in the wall of the intestine. In this project we plan to study how protein absorption occurs at the surface of these intestinal cells and investigate why this process fails in malabsorption syndromes, where the uptake of amino acids is impaired.