A. Venketeshwer Rao, M.Sc.Ph.D

Professor Emeritus Department of Nutritional Sciences Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto FitzGerald Building, Room 432 150 College Street Toronto Ontario M5S 3E2 CANADA Tel: (416) 978 5425 Fax: (416) 978 5882 Email:v.rao@utoronto.ca

Research

The ultimate goal of my research program is to study the complex interrelationships between diet and its components in human health and the management of chronic diseases. My current research focuses specifically on the role of oxidative stress and antioxidants in the causation and prevention of chronic diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and diabetes. The role of phytochemical antioxidants, phytosterols, phytoestrogens and saponins are being studied using tissue culture, animal and human models. Several biomarkers of oxidative stress and the risk of chronic diseases are used to study the underlying mechanisms of action of these biologically active compounds. For the past ten years I have been studying the role of lycopene, a carotenoid antioxidant present in many fruits and vegetables including tomatoes and tomato products, in human health. Our studies include its sources, chemistry, bioavailability, metabolism, its role in the prevention of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, osteoporosis and male infertility and industrial applications.

Another area of my research interest relates to the function of the human colon. To meet this objective, studies are directed toward understanding the nature of the substrate that enters the colon, type of the resident microflora, microbial enzymes, metabolic products resulting from microbial activity, fecal characteristics, colonic epithelial cell morphology and pathobiology as it relates to the risk of cancer. Both pre and pro-biotic approaches are being investigated to improve colonic health.

I also have an ongoing research interest in developing biotechnological applications for the food industry. Micro encapsulation of beneficial bacteria to improve their stability under the conditions of gastrointestinal transit and product application are being investigated in collaboration with the food industry.

Selected Publications

• Rao AV, Ray MR, Rao LG. Lycopene. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research, 51: 99-164 (2006).
  
• Rao LG, Collins ES, Josse RG, Strauss A and Rao AV. Lycopene consumption significantly decreases oxidative stress and bone resorption marker in postmenopausal women at risk of osteoporosis. Joint Meeting of the ECTS and IBMS June 25-29. Geneva, Switzerland (2005).
  
• Rao, A. and Rao, L. Lycopene and human health. Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research 2, 127-136 (2004).
  
• Rao AV, Fleshner N., Agarwal S. Serum and tissue lycopene and biomarkers of oxidation in prostate cancer patients: a case-control study. Nutrition and Cancer, 33:159-162 (1999).
  
• Rao AV, Dose-response effects of inulin and oligofructose on intestinal bifidogenesis effects. Journal of Nutrition 129:1442S-5S(1999).
• Rao AV. The prebiotic properties of oligofructose at low intake levels. Journal of Nutr Res. 21:843-848 (2001).