ESR 3.3
The role of oxidative stress in mucositis of oncological patients: can supportive care with prebiotics and vitamins aimed at the microbiome reduce and prevent infections

Project

Mucositis is an inflammatory condition of the gastric tract in oncological patients that is induced by chemotherapy. This condition makes the patients vulnerable to malnutrition and infections. The microbiota in the gastric tract plays an essential role in this, although the mechanisms are yet poorly understood. Recent studies show that the anaerobic microbiota is strongly reduced during mucositis, which may be caused by the increased oxidative stress during the inflammation. We want to study in an already established mucositis rat model, if mucositis can be ameliorated and infection rates can be improved by supportive care with prebiotics and vitamins aimed at the microbiome. The level of oxidative stress during chemotherapy will be related to clinical parameters and microbiota. Nutritional intervention studies will be done with treatment success and infection rates as outcome. To learn more about the immunological and nutritional aspects of such interventions, two 6 months visits at international expert labs are planned.

Supervisors

  • Dr W.J.E. (Wim) Tissing, MD, PhD, pediatric oncologist
    Department of Pediatrics, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, Netherlands. [Mail] , [Web]
  • Dr. H.J.M. (Hermie) Harmsen, PhD, microbial ecologist.
    Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, Netherlands. [Mail] , [Web]
  • Prof. dr. F. (Folkert) Kuipers, PhD, biochemist, molecular biologist.
    Center for Liver, Digestive and Metabolic Diseases (CLDM, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, Netherlands. [Mail] , [Web]

Collaborations

Lucien Harthoorn, Nutricia Research, Utrecht, The Netherlands. » Link
Rachel Gibson, Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, School of Medicine,The University of Adelaide, Australia » Link

Relevant publications

  1. Fijlstra M, Ferdous M, Koning AM, Rings EHHM, Harmsen HJM, Tissing WJE. Substantial decreases in the number and diversity of microbiota during chemotherapy-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in a rat model. Support Care Cancer. 2015 Jun;23(6):1513–22.
  2. Out C, Patankar J V., Doktorova M, Boesjes M, Bos T, De Boer S, et al. Gut microbiota inhibit Asbt-dependent intestinal bile acid reabsorption via Gata4. J Hepatol. 2015;63(3):697–704.
  3. van Vliet MJ, Harmsen HJM, de Bont ESJM, Tissing WJE. The Role of Intestinal Microbiota in the Development and Severity of Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis. PLoS Pathog. 2010 May;6(5).

Keywords

Mucositis, Microbiota, Rat model, Supportive care, Infections