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
Keywords
Mucositis, Microbiota, Rat model, Supportive care, Infections