Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

The physiologically active building blocks or sub-units of proteins known as bioactive peptides (BAPs) possess important health-promoting benefits but their usefulness as health-promoting agents is often limited. This is because they are not transported across the membrane of intestinal cells, also known as the intestinal epithelium, into the blood circulation in amounts that will be sufficient for their effects in the body to be fully exerted. This study aims to investigate the various ways by which blood pressure-lowering BAPs from flaxseed (a crop of vital economic importance to Canada) are absorbed from the intestines into the blood circulation. This will deepen current understanding of this area of biomedical science and enhance the use of BAPs for the prevention of hypertension- a risk factor in stroke, heart diseases, and other related disease conditions such as kidney failure. The study will also examine the effect of BAPs on the cells lining the intestinal epithelium so as to determine if they can be safely used. To achieve the objectives of this research, Caco-2 cells which possess properties similar to those of the intestinal epithelium will be used in peptide transport and safety/toxicity studies. Use of the Caco-2 cells provides simulated human gastrointestinal tract environment that will help determine the mode of peptide transport, that is, whether it is by means of active peptide transporters or by simple diffusion. Results from this study will help in the formulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals (novel foods with health-promoting properties) which will be used in the prevention, delay, control and/or management of elevated blood pressure, and associated health conditions. This will also contribute to Canada's economy by raising the health-promoting and economic value of flaxseed, reducing the millions of dollars spent on drugs and patient care, and increasing the proportion of the country's healthy workforce.