Gwenyth Jones
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Constantine Nolan
Co-Presenter:
Research Mentor School/College/Department: GI CTRL Research Lab / Medicine
Presentation Date: April 20
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: Session 3 – 1:40pm – 2:30 pm
Room: League Ballroom
Authors: Gwenyth Jones
Presenter: 10
Abstract
Ulcerative Colitis (UC) is one form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation, hematochezia, and ulcerations of the colon. This chronic disease, when left untreated, causes serious damage to the colon, increasing the risk for colon cancer, can cause severe abdominal pain, and can require a full resection of the colon if pharmacological therapy fails. There is currently no cure for this disease and many treatments are very expensive and often suppress the patient’s immune system. This study aims to determine whether Aquamin®, a seaweed-derived multi-mineral supplement containing primarily calcium and 72 trace mineral elements, can help patients stay in remission longer and reduce their number of flare-ups and IBD symptoms by improving gut health. The study is double-blind and patients will be randomized into two groups, one where patients will take a placebo for the first 90 days and Aquamin® for the second 90 days, or one where patients take Aquamin® for the full 180 days. Health-related information, questionnaires, and colon, saliva, blood, and stool samples will be collected from patients to analyze how Aquamin® affects their symptoms, gut health, and intestinal absorption. Additionally, endoscopic assessments will be performed to monitor disease activity. While there is currently no data released for this particular study, a previous study conducted on Aquamin® as a prevention measure for colon cancer found that patients treated with Aquamin® had more statistically significant increases in barrier protein formation and tissue differentiation when compared to a placebo. Due to these findings, we expect that Aquamin® treated patients will have improved gut barrier and decreased inflammation, as a consequence, remain in remission longer and have less to no active disease flares long term.
Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary
