This project focuses on biological activity of modified lignin that can be isolated from a by-product of paper and cellulose production. Modified lignin could apply to biomedicine as a food supplement with antioxidant effects, which could protect organism against negative environmental factors and diseases of affluence.
Effects of lignin will be characterized:
- in vitro by testing cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, antioxidant effects, and occurrence of DNA modifications; as well as
- in vivo using an animal experimental model of diet-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome to reveal potential protective effects on tissue damage, low-grade chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, we will characterize the effects of lignin on lipid and glucose homeostasis by quantification of appropriate metabolites levels in plasma.
This project is based on our unique collaboration with commercial company VIDIA Inc. (Vestec), which focuses on a development of diagnostics in human medicine and environment. The results should help to introduce new nutritional supplements to protect humans against diseases of affluence, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
Supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TA03010581; 2013-2015, PI: Ing. Michaela Poláková, VIDIA Inc.; co-PI: Martin Rossmeisl, MD, PhD, Institute of Physiology, CAS.
