Browsing by Author "Weir, Tiffany L., advisor"

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Embargo
A comprehensive analysis of rice bran as a functional food for global health
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Weber, Annika Marie, author; Weir, Tiffany L., advisor; Ryan, Elizabeth P., advisor; Bunning, Marisa, committee member; Vilander, Allison, committee member; Conant, Richard, committee member
Global nutrition security and public health improvement rely on diverse diets, with whole grains playing a key role in meeting these challenges. Rice, a staple grain for over half the world's population, is typically consumed in its refined form, which involves removing the bran layer. This bran layer, however, is a rich source of fiber, essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals, which are key components that contribute to the health benefits of whole grains. The nutrient properties of rice bran and its demonstrated ability to protect against gastrointestinal diseases make it a promising addition to public health initiatives. To fully harness these benefits, a comprehensive analysis of rice bran's health potential and strategies for incorporation into global nutrition is necessary. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore the role of rice bran in enhancing gut health, particularly in colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention and malnutrition treatment, as well as provide considerations for food safety and an assessment of community preparedness for public health interventions. Here, the metabolism of rice bran by the gut microbiota and subsequent generation of metabolites related to CRC protection in a murine model and CRC survivors is evaluated. Additionally, methods to reduce arsenic levels in rice bran are explored, and an assessment is presented of community readiness for dietary interventions, which are challenges to overcome in preparing rice bran for public health. The use of rice bran to enhance nutrient density in malnutrition treatment foods is also explored, with a detailed protocol of the Solutions to Enhance Health using Alternative Treatments (SEHAT) clinical trial. Anthropometric outcomes from the SEHAT study are then analyzed to assess the impact of rice bran on childhood growth and malnutrition recovery. The diverse health benefits of rice bran, from cancer prevention to malnutrition treatment, are demonstrated here. In providing evidence for its safety, efficacy, and potential for global use, the research underscores the viability of rice bran as a functional food in clinical and public health guidelines. These studies contribute to the broader efforts of leveraging rice bran for improved global nutrition and community health.
Embargo
Exploring microbiome-targeted interventions in the mitigation of endothelial dysfunction
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2024) Risk, Briana D., author; Weir, Tiffany L., advisor; Gentile, Christopher L., advisor; Chicco, Adam J., committee member; Foster, Michelle T., committee member
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been the leading cause of mortality in the United States for more than seventy years eclipsing cancer and respiratory disease by more than 13%. Despite sincere efforts to decrease the incidence of CVD, various environmental and intrinsic factors contribute to CVD progression, making it challenging to mitigate this complex condition. However, the past decade has shown tremendous growth in understanding the connection between the gut microbiome in its protective, or pathogenic progression of CVD. The gut microbiome, or the consortia of microbial species, genes, and metabolites, that shapes the gastrointestinal environment has a profound impact on the vascular endothelium through mechanisms not yet entirely understood. Therefore, the purpose of the research in this dissertation was to: 1) Utilize next-generation sequencing and metabolomics to characterize microbial contribution to varied endothelial response after a dietary blueberry intervention in post-menopausal females; 2) Determine if a hypertensive microbiome after blueberry treatment confers gastrointestinal and endothelial phenotype in a humanized mouse model; 3) Evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic in reversing endothelial dysfunction in dietarily obese mice, while exploring the contribution to gut barrier integrity and vasoactive metabolite proliferation in a novel cell co-culture.
Open Access
The effect of hop extract supplementation on gut microbiota and metabolic function in ovariectomized mice
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2017) Hamm, Alison Kay, author; Weir, Tiffany L., advisor; Cox-York, Kimberly A., committee member; Broeckling, Corey D., committee member; Avens, John S., committee member; Bunning, Marisa L., committee member
Estrogen decline with aging, or menopause, is associated with increased risk for cardiometabolic diseases primarily due to altered metabolism and weight gain. Standard treatment has traditionally been with 17β-estradiol (E2) prescription, although its use has declined over the last decade due to associated increase in breast and ovarian cancer risk. As a result, use of phytoestrogenic herbal supplements has increased, due to their perceived safety and effectiveness in treatment of menopausal side effects. The gut microbiota may also be important in terms of mitigating disease risk and hormone exposure during the menopause transition, as our gut microbiota are important modulators of local and systemic inflammation. Gut microbes also can metabolize hormones and dietary flavonoids, altering their bioactivity and bioavailability. In this study, we supplemented ovariectomized (OVX) or control sham-operated C57BL/6 mice, with oral E2, a flavonoid-rich extract from hops (Humulus lupulus), or placebo carrier oil, and observed differences in adiposity, inflammation, and gut bacteria composition. Hops extract (HE) did not protect against ovariectomy-associated weight gain or increased visceral adiposity, while E2-treated animals had similar body weights and fat depot sizes as Sham-operated animals. However, HE was protective against liver triglyceride accumulation, to levels similar to Sham control and OVX E2 groups. We found no evidence of OVX having a significant impact on the overall gut bacterial community structure in any of our treatment groups. We did find differences in abundance of two bacteria; Akkermansia muciniphila was lower with HE treatment in the Sham group, and Ruminococcus gnavus was higher with OVX compared to Sham control. Possible mechanisms of the interplay between gut bacteria, loss of estrogen, and hormone replacement will be discussed.