37th Annual Student Research Conference
ROS Producers and Antioxidants in an Alzheimer’s disease-induced rat model
Adison P. Mosher* and Alicia Koogler
Dr. Daniela Ostrowski (ATSU) and Dr. Stephen Hudman, Faculty Mentors
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is predominantly characterized by memory loss, but also negatively affects breathing control. In fact, about 30 - 50% of AD patients have moderate to severe sleep apnea. Injections of streptozotocin (STZ) into the ventricles of rat brains result in similar AD-like phenotypes, including respiratory dysfunction. We focus on the nucleus tractus solitarii (nTS), a brainstem area that integrates signals from chemoreceptors detecting changes in blood oxygen levels. We previously showed activated microglia and lower synaptic density within the nTS in STZ-AD. These cellular changes may be due to increased oxidative stress. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are controlled by ROS producers and antioxidants. The aim of this study was to quantify the major ROS producer NADPH Oxidase 2 (NOX2) and the antioxidant Superoxide Dismutase 2 (SOD2). An increase of NOX2 and/or the lack of SOD2 could result in increased ROS in STZ-AD.
Keywords: Alzheimer's Disease, Reactive Oxygen Species, Nucleus Tractus Solitarii , Superoxide Dismutase 2, NADPH Oxidase 2
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster Presentation
Session: 3-5
Location: SUB Activities Room
Time: 4:00