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Effects of Blueberries Supplementation on Oral Dysbiosis

Year: 2023


Presenter Name: Nizhoni Porter

Description
The gut and oral cavity are the two most significant microbial habitats and are closely connected through the digestive pathway. Evidence indicates microbial transmission (oral-to-gut and gut-to-oral) regulates the pathogenesis of diseases such as cancer and is mediated through the oral-gut microbiome axis. An imbalance in the oral microbes (dysbiosis) is implicated in oral diseases and systemic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Our lab recently showed that dietary supplementation of blueberries improves diabetes-induced gut dysbiosis. Phytochemicals such as anthocyanins in blueberries act as prebiotics and promote the growth of beneficial gut microbes. Dietary blueberries increased the abundance of commensal microbes and decreased the abundance of opportunistic microbes in diabetic mice. In the proposed study, we will evaluate whether supplementation of blueberry improves a high-fat diet and antibiotics-induced oral dysbiosis in a preclinical model. Mice will be divided into four groups: Control (C), High Fat Diet-fed (HF), High Fat Diet-fed with antibiotics (HFA), and High Fat Diet-fed with blueberry supplementation and antibiotics (HBA). The Antibiotics will be distributed to the mice in the drinking water. The oral and gut microbiomes will be analyzed using 16s rRNA amplification. Due to the probiotic effect of anthocyanins and the translocation of bacteria between the oral and gut microbiota, this correlation could help replenish the gut and oral microbiome once destroyed or altered and, therefore, aid in creating a healthier immune system. Our study will identify whether dietary blueberries improve oral dysbiosis by modulating the oral-gut microbiome axis.
University / Institution: University of Utah
Type: Oral
Format: In Person
SESSION A (9:00-10:30AM)
Area of Research: Health & Medicine
Faculty Mentor: Anandh Velayutham
Location: Alumni House, DUMKE ROOM (9:40am)