Ivana Sequeira

Doctor of Philosophy, (Gastrointestinal Physiology)
Study Completed: 2015
College of Health

Citation

Thesis Title
The aspirin augmented standardized lactulose mannitol test as a measure of the 'health' of the gastrointestinal tract

Read article at Massey Research Online: MRO icon

Ms Sequeira explored the use of the lactulose mannitol test of gut permeability for use as a dynamic test of gut ''health'' or robustness. Hence that gut ''health'' could be inferred from the resilience and recovery of the intestinal mucosa to a standardised perturbation. In a series of human studies she refined and standardised the clinical test, used traditionally to assess pathological disturbance of gut permeability, in conditions such as coeliac disease and inflammatory bowel disease. Results showed several means by which the fidelity of the test could be improved. An augmented test incorporating a noxious challenge to gut permeability, a single 600mg dose of aspirin, was then developed. Results from this were compared with those in which dosage with a purportedly beneficial agent, ascorbic acid was incorporated into the test. Ms Sequeira''sresearch has received accolades and has been subsequently endorsed in an editorial in a peer review journal.

Supervisors
Professor Roger Lentle
Professor Marlena Kruger