20th Annual Student Research Conference
Interdisciplinary
VEGF Protein Expression in Rat Skeletal Muscle is Fiber-type Dependent
Matthew J. Wessner
Dr. Willaim Sexton (A.T. Still University), Dr. Laura Fielden, and Ms. Patricia S. Sexton (A.T. Still University, KCOM), Faculty Mentors
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein, a vascular growth factor, is skeletal muscle fiber-type dependent. VEGF levels were determined both among and within representative hindlimb muscles in female Sprague-Dawley rats. VEGF levels were determined using Western blotting, and results were quantified using ImageJ software. Among muscles, VEGF levels in the soleus (57 ± 10%) were greater (P<0.05) than in the plantaris (14 ± 3%) and EDL (23 ± 6%) muscles. Within the vastus lateralis muscle, VEGF levels in the red portion (49 ± 9%) was greater (P<0.05) than in either the mixed (7 ± 4%) or the white (15 ± 6%) portions. The results of this study indicate that the VEGF protein expression in rat skeletal muscle is correlated with the combined type I and IIa fiber composition, which are known to have greater capillarity.
Keywords: VEGF, skeletal muscle
Topic(s):Sigma-Xi
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-2
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15 pm