Biology Commons^™

Physiological And Behavioral Correlates Of Hif-1 Alpha Protein Levels In The Gulf Killifish, Fundulus Grandis, Jasmine Harris

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Although the hypoxia-inducible transcription factor (HIF) orchestrates molecular responses to low oxygen, the amount of HIF-1α protein expressed during hypoxia varies among species, individuals, and tissues. This study measured HIF-1α protein levels along with several physiological and behavioral variables in the estuarine fish Fundulus grandis under normoxia (> 7 mg l^-1 dissolved oxygen) and hypoxia (1 mg l^-1 dissolved oxygen). Fish under hypoxic conditions had higher tissue levels of HIF-1α, hematocrit, blood glucose, blood lactate, frequency of aquatic surface respiration (ASR), and lower activity than normoxic controls. Under hypoxia, HIF-1α abundance in gill was positively correlated with body …

Elucidating The Effects Of Glucose Toxicity On Tauopathy And Aging, Lukas Fluitt

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Biological Sciences Master's Theses

Diabetes patients are at higher risk of contracting an age-related neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the mechanisms which link these diseases are poorly understood. We hypothesize that glucose and elevated levels of the glycolysis by product advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), may be involved. AGEs accumulate with age and are elevated in both diabetic and AD patients. Diabetes is a metabolic disorder for which consumption of sugar-rich diets is a major risk factor and is central to etiology in the vast majority of cases.

We show that transgenic C. elegans expressing wild type (WT) human tau fed a …

Determining The Link Between Advanced Glycation Endproducts (Ages), Feeding, And Metabolism, Lauren Wimer

Natural Sciences and Mathematics | Biological Sciences Master's Theses

Reactive a-dicarbonyls (a-DC’s), such as methylglyoxal (MGO), are unavoidable metabolites generated during glycolysis that accumulate with age and have been linked with chronic age-related metabolic diseases such as Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes Mellitus is generally characterized by peripheral neuropathy and sustained hyperglycemia. Chronic hyperglycemia leads to an increase in glycolysis and a downstream increase in reactive a-DC’s. The human body has a natural method of detoxifying these a-DC’s. Glycolytic cells have enzymes which can detoxify a-DC’s, but if overwhelmed, a-DC’s can accumulate and react non-enzymatically with proteins, lipids and DNA to yield a group of molecules called advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). …

Novel Insights Into The Critical Role Of Cardiolipin In Cellular Metabolism And Mitochondrial Physiology, Jiajia Ji

Wayne State University Dissertations

Cardiolipin (CL) is the signature phospholipid of mitochondria. CL and its remodeling exert critical roles in biological processes both inside and outside of mitochondria. CL abnormalities have been associated with various mitochondrial disorders and aging. Understanding the role of CL in mitochondrial physiology and cellular metabolism could provide valuable insights into cell biology and human health. Several metabolic alterations have been reported in CL-deficient cells, including accumulated lactate, decreased PDH activity, and decreased TCA cycle function. This dissertation connected these findings by showing abnormal NAD+ metabolism in various models lacking CL. Importantly, it shows that NAD+ supplementation improves mitochondrial function …

The Effects Of Induced Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Nag-1 Transgenic Mice, Nicholas Werner

All Master's Theses

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility among women in the US and the most common endocrine disorder among women. PCOS is characterized by cystic ovaries, hyperandrogenism (heightened levels of male sex hormones), altered menstrual cycles and various metabolic dysfunctions. The metabolic symptoms associated with PCOS are difficult to treat, as they are a result of hormonal imbalances, rather than diet. The human Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Activated Gene (NAG-1) been shown to prevent diet-induced metabolic disorders and weight gain in mice. We hypothesized that the expression of NAG-1 may also prevent hormonal-induced metabolic disorders. To test this …

Using Phytoglycogen-Based Nanoparticles To Enhance Inosine Monophsophate Delivery Using Rainbow Trout And Bovine Models, Kristof Jenik

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Recently, there has been interest in the use of nucleotides in industrials feeds, with inosine monophosphate showing the most promising effects on growth and immunity. Rainbow trout and Alberta cattle are two of Canadas most profitable farmed animals, if their growth rates and immunity could be enhanced this would further improve their value. The impacts of IMP, a phytoglycogen-based nanoparticle (NP) and inosine monophosphate cationically bound to the phytoglycogen-based nanoparticle (IMP-NP) were characterized in rainbow trout in vivo and in vitro and in vitro in bovine cells. Rainbow trout that were fed an IMP-NP containing feed on average had higher …