FOI_25-191 Animal research project

Date of response: 23 July 2025

We have now considered your request of 27 June 2025 for the following information:

I am writing to request publicly accessible information regarding the animal research project ETH2223-0289 (Preprint deposition:

https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.10.04.616708), approved by the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) at the university of East Anglia (School of Biological Sciences).

In accordance with the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research and UK transparency guidelines, I would be grateful if you could provide the following non-confidential details about the project:

Question 1. The scientific objectives of the study.

Our response:

The objective was to test the effects of a dietary fibre commonly found in the food and soft drink industry (Gum Arabic GA) and systemic health and understand the physiological pathways involved using the model species zebrafish.

Question 2. The animal species used and sample size calculation.

Our response:

We used the zebrafish Danio rerio, a commonly used model species for the study of human health and disease. We ran a first pilot trial with 30 fish per treatment to estimate the effect size for the 6% Gum Arabic treatment. The sample sizes are based on the vast experience by the PI to work with zebrafish on similar questions, and the expectations that the effects will be relatively mild. This expectation is also based on published studies in humans and rats.

Question 3. Measure taken to comply with the 3Rs principles.

Our response:

We only bred the number of fish we needed for this study and limited the sample sizes to the bare minimum.

Question 4. Any summary reports or ethical impact assessments available for this project.

Our response:

On this occasion it is not possible to provide any of the requested information. In line with your rights under section 1(1)(a) of the Act to be informed whether information is held, we confirm that the University does not hold any recorded information for any summary reports or ethical impact assessments for the project, due to the nature of the project there was no requirement for any ethical impact assessments to be undertaken.