Research Projects

Background: Menopause, a natural biological process, is the permanent cessation of menstruation due to loss in ovarian follicular activity. In menopause significant depletion of estrogens levels causes derangements in reproductive, metabolic and mental health. Several factors contribute for menopause development. Recently, intestinal microbial dysbiosis has been identified as one of the contributing factor. In postmenopausal women, the gut microbiota exhibits a reduction in helpful bacteria alongside an increase in pathogenic bacteria. Menopausal hormonal alterations disturb the estrogen-gut microbiota axis, a crucial regulatory network for gut health, antimicrobial defence, and systemic homeostasis. Dietary approaches modulating intestinal microbes have gained importance as an effective management strategy. Studies suggested that co-supplementation of PhytoβSERM and probiotic led to marked changes in intestinal ecosystem of postmenopausal women. We posited that a combination of phytoestrogen in conjunction with a prebiotic such as fructo-oligosaccharide (strong gut bacterial modulator) may act as a double-edged sword for mitigating postmenopausal gut dysbiosis and associated microbial infections. Key Questions: a) Does the translational model of menopause (bilateral Ovariectomy) mimic the postmenopausal estrogen gut microbiome axis dysfunction? b) Link between gut bacteria alterations after menopause and associated microbial infections (c) What is the effect of a novel food formulation (Estroimmuno-Synbiotic) in reversing menopause induced gut dysbiosis and associated microbial infections in the aforesaid model? Major Outcome: The research study will lead to development and evaluation of a potential functional food (Estroimmuno-Synbiotic) intervention for the prevention or treatment of postmenopausal estrogen-gut microbiome axis dysfunction and associated microbial infections in the era of antimicrobial resistance.