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Isabelle D'CostaPosition/Title: M.Sc by Coursework email: idcosta@uoguelph.ca Phone: Office:
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Education
University of Guelph, OAC: Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management - Equine Management Major (2021)
MSc Animal Nutrition '22
Advisor: Dr. Wendy Pearson
Background
I grew up on a small horse farm just outside Caledon, Ontario. I was very involved in Pony Club throughout my childhood, which fostered a passion for learning more about equine health and sciences, and ultimately helped guide me towards choosing to major in Equine Management at University of Guelph! As the owner of senior horses and dogs, my interests are focused on nutritional strategies to help improve the lives of aging animals, with special interest in the theory of inflammaging (that by-products from biochemical reactions with oxygen contribute to inflammation and the aging process). Outside of school, I enjoy spending time with my horses, competing in OEA horse shows, learning about animal training & behaviour and hiking with my dog!
Academic Experience
During my undergrad degree, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Pearson for an undergrad special research project course! My project investigated the potential of an artifical light treatment to improve nutrient utilization in horses. While extended photoperiod can improve nutrient utilization in other herbivore species such as dairy cows, it's application has not been explored for horses. Due to unique elements of equine sleep patterns and feeding behaviours, it's unclear whether effects observed in these other herbivore species would directly transfer to horses! Throughout my graduate studies coursework, I have had the opportunity to develop a research technique for assessing nutraceutical bioavailability in horses, presented a seminar reviewing the role of free fatty acids in mitochondrial uncoupling, and developed an innovative business idea with fellow students Mikaela Bamford and Joanna Estey for a consulting service which uses nutrigenetics to provide proactive and supportive individualized nutrition to pets!
MSc Research
Nutraceutical supplements (dietary supplements with therapeutic benefit) continue to be incredibly prominent in both human and animal industries, with ingredients ranging from functional fiber to herbs and spices (Das et al, 2012). Nutmeg has been reported to show anti-inflammatory activity through several mechanisms resulting from potent bioactive constituents: inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis (Olajide et al, 2000), inhibiting iNOS expression (de Souza Basso et al, 2021; Cao et al, 2015; Cao et al, 2013; Hake et al, 2009), and reducing inflammatory cytokine (such as IL-6 and TNF-a) expression (Li et al, 2015; Morita et al, 2003), as well as by mitigating oxidative stress due to its significant antioxidant properties (Hartanto et al, 2019; Piaru et al, 2012). Nutmeg was found to have a higher antioxidant capacity than turmeric (Vallverdu-Queralt et al, 2015), which is of interest as turmeric has recently become a popular supplement ingredient. Despite their prevalence, nutraceutical supplements are unregulated and further research into their safety and efficacy is both important and necessary (Vandeweerd et al, 2012). Experiments conducted in vitro with cartilage explants (with an inflammatory stimulus to model arthritis) are an effective way to preliminarily investigate the potential of substances as nutraceuticals (Pearson and Lindinger, 2008; Cao et al, 2013), and use of techniques such as the simulated digestion of the test product, developed by Pearson et al (2007), may allow for better modelling of modifications that occur in vivo. While the antioxidant and inflammatory properties of nutmeg are widely discussed in the literature, both which may be useful in managing the symptoms of arthritis, the direct effect of nutmeg on cartilage has yet to be investigated. As such, evaluation of M. fragrans on cartilage explants and inflammation in vitro can help provide insight into whether M fragrans can be a useful ingredient in nutraceutical joint supplements.