{"id":24001,"date":"2015-10-15T19:43:49","date_gmt":"2015-10-15T19:43:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/pharmacy\/?p=24001"},"modified":"2019-01-31T13:03:59","modified_gmt":"2019-01-31T18:03:59","slug":"professor-rowley-and-team-say-class-of-cranberry-carbohydrates-could-improve-uti-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/web.uri.edu\/pharmacy\/2015\/10\/15\/professor-rowley-and-team-say-class-of-cranberry-carbohydrates-could-improve-uti-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Professor Rowley and team say class of cranberry carbohydrates could improve UTI treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"newsletter<\/a>
\n\"IMG_0432\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Professor Rowley and team say
\nclass of cranberry carbohydrates
\ncould improve UTI treatment<\/h1>\n

 
\nBiomedical Science Professor David Rowley\u2019s<\/a> findings appear in a recent issue of the Journal of Functional Foods, which is published by the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods. The research is sponsored by Ocean Spray, a cooperative of more than 700 cranberry and grapefruit growers based in Lakeville, Mass.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe cranberry is a specialty crop cultivated only in certain regions like New England. We are glad to be part of this research and reinforce what people have known for some time. If you drink cranberry juice, it is good for you.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Among Rowley\u2019s team are URI Associate Professor of Biomedical Science Navindra Seeram<\/a>, who has been cited internationally for his research on blueberries, pomegranate and pure maple syrup and Pharmacy Professor Kerry LaPlante, nationally recognized for her work in the treatment, virulence inhibition, control and prevention of methicillin -resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and device-related infections.
\n\u201cBacteria cause major issues in the urinary tract, especially for women,\u201d Rowley said. \u201cIn many patients we see recurring infections because the bacteria are persistent and resistant to antibiotics.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Rowley said his laboratory has taken a step toward understanding molecules that could provide at least part of the answer to the problem of antibiotic resistance.
\nThe typical course of treatment for urinary tract infections is antibiotics.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey clear out most of the infection, which is commonly caused by E. coli bacteria,\u201d Rowley said. \u201cBut some bacteria remain shielded or protected by biofilms. Since these bacteria remain, they re-seed the infection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Biofilms are groups of microorganisms in which cells stick to each other on a surface.<\/p>\n

Rowley\u2019s research found that a class of complex carbohydrates, called oligosaccharides, could inhibit biofilms formed by E. coli.
\n\u201cWe may be able to pair the biolfilm inhibitors with antibiotics for more effective treatment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

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