Project summary
We are studying the interaction of dietary macronutrients with the microbiome, gut and plasma metabolome on cardiac phenotypic expression. Recently, we discovered a profound effect of high dietary fibre (resistant starch) diets on microbial profile and the plasma redox system, energetics, gut-derived vitamins, citric acid cycle metabolites, and a potent effect on tryptophan metabolism that confers anti-inflammatory effects. We are investigating further a tryptophan derivative that is produced exclusively in the gut and seems to have important roles in inflammatory-driven diseases like atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. This work is being performed with Prof Stephen Simpson and A/Prof Andrew Holmes at the Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney.