Project Number: 1235-51530-053-07
Project Type: Trust

Start Date: Jan 02, 2011
End Date: Jan 01, 2013

Objective:
Determine the effects of feeding pigs both A-type and B-type proanthocyanidins on pig intestinal epithelium cell line (IPEC-1); on the bioavailability, changes in fecal microbiota, intestinal function, local gene expression, and metabolomic patterns in urine and feces; and on the ex-vivo inhibition of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.

Approach:
ARS will acquire the basic knowledge of the effects of consuming proanthocyanidins in a pig model on epithelial cell function, changes in intestinal microbiome and function, and inhibition of bacterial pathogens on epithelial cell surfaces. This information will be used by both ARS and the Cooperator to jointly develop novel molecular and metabolomic techniques related to the study of proanthocyanidins. The Cooperator will evaluate the results of the analysis of phenolic metabolites in urine and use pure phenolic acids available as commercial standards and/or their mixtures to confirm the results from the urine assays.