Differences In Lipid Distribution In Livers Between Specific Pathogen Free And Gnotobiotic Mice

Grace Rhodes

School Name

Governor's School for Science and Math

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: Dr. Chavin; Department of Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina

Abstract

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasing problems in today’s society. Diet and gut bacteria have been proven to effect and cause NASH and NAFLD. Studies on mice have been completed to determine the affect of lipids on the gut bacteria. It was determined that mice fed low fat diets did not develop NASH or NAFLD, while mice on the unsaturated (lard fat) diet only developed NAFLD and not NASH. The mice on milk fat diets (saturated fats) developed NASH because the saturated fats created a favorable environment for the gut bacteria that causes the chain reaction leading to NASH. Further studies were performed comparing specific pathogen free (SPF) mice and gnotobiotic mice on all three diets. It was discovered that the gnotobiotic mice would develop NAFLD on the milk and lard fat diets, but not NASH. This led to the question of whether or not the actual lipids found in the gnotobiotic and SPF mice were different. This exploratory study examined the livers of gnotobiotic and SPF mice on the control low fat diet to determine if there was a baseline difference in the lipids. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) imaging was performed and it was discovered that there were differences in the lipids and the distribution of those lipids between the two types of liver samples.

Location

Owens 107

Start Date

4-16-2016 11:30 AM

COinS
 
Apr 16th, 11:30 AM

Differences In Lipid Distribution In Livers Between Specific Pathogen Free And Gnotobiotic Mice

Owens 107

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are increasing problems in today’s society. Diet and gut bacteria have been proven to effect and cause NASH and NAFLD. Studies on mice have been completed to determine the affect of lipids on the gut bacteria. It was determined that mice fed low fat diets did not develop NASH or NAFLD, while mice on the unsaturated (lard fat) diet only developed NAFLD and not NASH. The mice on milk fat diets (saturated fats) developed NASH because the saturated fats created a favorable environment for the gut bacteria that causes the chain reaction leading to NASH. Further studies were performed comparing specific pathogen free (SPF) mice and gnotobiotic mice on all three diets. It was discovered that the gnotobiotic mice would develop NAFLD on the milk and lard fat diets, but not NASH. This led to the question of whether or not the actual lipids found in the gnotobiotic and SPF mice were different. This exploratory study examined the livers of gnotobiotic and SPF mice on the control low fat diet to determine if there was a baseline difference in the lipids. Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) imaging was performed and it was discovered that there were differences in the lipids and the distribution of those lipids between the two types of liver samples.