This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Innovative non-antimicrobial prevention strategies are needed to treat and prevent bacterial infections. Cranberry supplements are a promising class of infection-preventing agents that appear to prevent urinary tract infection by inhibiting bacterial adherence to the urothelium of the urinary tract. The mechanism of this anti-adherence effect is not well understood but likely involves blockage of bacterial adhesin attachment. Cranberry supplements have decreased the incidence of urinary tract infection in adults in some but not all clinical research trials. Dosing in these studies differs widely and this may account for these disaparate results. No data is available regarding the pharmacokinetics of cranberry supplements in children or adults. Almost no data exists about how effective the use of cranberry supplements in children is even though the consequences of urinary tract infection are more severe in children. Furthermore, children and adults often metabolize biologically active agents differently. The pharmacokinetic differences between children and adults for cranberry supplements are not known. Previous work has demonstrated that urine metabolites following ingestion of cranberries inhibit bacterial adherence to the lining of the urinary tract in a dose dependent fashion. This supports a biologically plausible mechanism of action as well as a bioassay. This single center non-therapeutic study will set the stage for appropriately designed clinical research trials to assess the efficacy and safety of cranberry supplementation for children prone to recurrent urinary tract infections. We anticipate enrolling 26 healthy children between the ages of 6 through 17 years of age the first year and with continued funding 26 healthy children between the ages of 6 through 17 years of age the second year. Children enrolled would participate in this study for a 24-hour duration.
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