Search Constraints

Start Over
Filtering by: Type Peacock Scholarship Remove constraint Type: Peacock Scholarship Keyword diabetes mellitus Remove constraint Keyword: diabetes mellitus

Search Results

  • A review of the effects of Aspartame and Saccharin on human health, with special emphasis on the gut microbiome

    Jm214p16v?file=thumbnail
    Description:
    The use of artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and saccharin, are becoming more prevalent due to its popularity for low calorie diets and sugar alternatives, especially to those with diabetes. Artificial sweeteners have been found to cause adverse health effects ranging from headaches to cancer (Whitehouse, 2008). However, much of the research that has been done on the harmful effects of aspartame and saccharin is centered on their possible carcinogenic effects. Little to no research has been conducted on the effects of aspartame and saccharin on the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome has been linked to the progression of multiple disorders based on the alterations in its composition. Studies have also found a bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiome and the brain (Ma, 2019). As many side effects of artificial sweeteners have been reported in relation to the nervous system, we will explore if these artificial sweeteners are affecting the health of the gut microbiome. The aim of this study is to discuss the effects of aspartame and saccharin on human health, with emphasis on the gut microbiome.
    Keyword:
    Aspartame, diabetes mellitus, gut health, artificial sweeteners, Saccharin, gut microbiome, and carcinogen
    Subject:
    Biology
    Creator:
    Nazzal, Khawlah
    Contributor:
    Dr. Christina Mortellaro, Thesis Advisor and Dr. Jill Calahan, Thesis Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/10/2020
    Date Modified:
    06/10/2020
    Date Created:
    April 20, 2020
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper

  • The Impact of Branched Chain Amino Acids (BCAA) on Hepatic Insulin Signaling and Mitochondrial Function

    0c483j399?file=thumbnail
    Description:
    The goal of this study is to identify the key mechanisms through which branched chain amino acids (BCAAs; leucine, isoleucine and valine) modulate hepatic insulin sensitivity and mitochondrial function. Previous studies indicate a strong association between BCAAs and insulin resistance. Recent evidence points to crosstalk between BCAAs and hepatic mitochondrial function, which is disrupted during non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Moreover, elevated levels of BCAAs during hepatic insulin resistance may be a good predictor of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) onset. Based on these observations, we hypothesize that elevated levels of BCAAs can disrupt insulin signaling in the liver and will alter hepatic mitochondrial metabolism and function. To test this hypothesis, mice were fed either a control diet (10% fat calories) or a high fat diet (60% fat calories) for 16 weeks. A jugular vein catheter was then implanted. After four days of recovery, a subset of mice from each group received either a saline or BCAA infusion for 8 hours. After the 8-hour infusion, blood and liver tissue were collected and frozen at -80C for metabolic analysis. Insulin signaling pathway was investigated by examining serine/threonine-specific protein kinases total Akt and phosphorylated-Akt (p-Akt; S473) using western blotting. Expression of total Akt remained constant among all groups. In control-fed mice, BCAA infusion increased p-Akt expression, indicating that BCAAs impacted insulin signaling. High fat-fed mice infused with saline also showed elevated p-Akt compared to matched controls. In contrast, BCAAs in high fat-fed mice had no effect on Akt phosphorylation, demonstrating persistent stimulation to insulin signaling. Though elevated levels of BCAAs in the presence of a lipid-rich environment have been found to be linked to NAFLD and hepatic insulin resistance, their specific roles in these diseases are unclear. We analyzed the effects of BCAAs on diet-induced obese mice by comparing insulin signaling protein expression and modification. We discovered that BCAAs promoted insulin signaling in obese, insulin-resistant mice. Although BCAAs have an important role in regulating the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, an overabundance of BCAAs in the presence of insulin resistance could weaken the normal response of the hepatic TCA cycle; a major factor in causing dysfunction in mitochondrial metabolism.
    Keyword:
    diabetes mellitus, BCAAs, insulin resistance, and National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
    Subject:
    Biochemistry and Biotechnology
    Creator:
    Hughes, Azuri J.
    Contributor:
    Dr. Leonard Sciorra, FACMG, Faculty Advisor
    Owner:
    lsquillante@saintpeters.edu
    Publisher:
    Saint Peter's University
    Date Uploaded:
    06/09/2020
    Date Modified:
    06/09/2020
    Date Created:
    April 20, 2020
    Rights Statement:
    In Copyright
    Resource Type:
    Research Paper