Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Dysregulation Of Human Phase I Enzymes In Apap Overdose Subjects With Low Alt Levels, Aaron Woodall

Honors Theses

Background: Acetaminophen (APAP) is a common analgesic that can cause liver injury and death in high doses. Changes in gene expression following APAP overdose may be more sensitive indicators of liver injury than the current clinical indicator, alanine aminotransferase (ALT). The aim of this study was to examine gene expression of Phase I enzymes in pediatric APAP overdose patients with low ALT levels (<75 lU/L), in order to understand the mechanism of APAP toxicity.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from control patients (no APAP exposure; N=5) and APAP overdose patients (N=S). Using the PAXgene system, RNA was extracted from the blood samples and cDNA was synthesized. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction …

Effects Of Antidepressant Metabolites On The Fresh Water Algae, Pseudokirchneriella Subcapitata, Adam Curlin

Honors Theses

Quantities of antidepressant metabolites are known to be released through our wastewater facilities into the environment. The effects of many of these metabolites on the environment are unknown. To understand more fully the effect of these metabolites, an assay was conducted using the green alga, Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. Antidepressants are the number one prescribed pharmaceutical in the United States. For this work, Zoloft was utilized as representative antidepressant in the aquatic environment. It was found that Zoloft significantly impacted the growth of the algae in controlled laboratory experiments.

Computational Studies Of Melatonin Analogues, Jessica Lynne Baima

Honors Theses

Melatonin (MLT, N-Acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine), a naturally occurring hormone produced by the pineal gland, plays a crucial role in the regulation of circadian rhythms. Melatonin supplements are utilized in treating various sleep disorders, but detrimental side effects currently discourages its use in space. Computer generated molecular models of MLT analogues were studied with the purpose of resolving the deficiencies within existing therapeutic agents by constructing an enhanced MLT analogue. The MT receptor binding data for each analogue was obtained from the literature and Sybyl 6.9 was used to perform 3-D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) studies on eight data sets, using the comparative …