Relationship Between The Expression of PGC-1Α and Muscle Fatigue In ApcMin/+ Mice.

School Name

Governor's School for Science & Mathematics

Grade Level

12th Grade

Presentation Topic

Physiology and Health

Presentation Type

Mentored

Mentor

Mentor: James Carson, University of South Carolina

Oral Presentation Award

4th Place

Written Paper Award

4th Place

Abstract

Cancer cachexia is defined as severe muscle wasting due to cancer and affects 30%-80% of all cancer patients depending on their type of tumor. One of the leading causes of a poor quality of life in cachexia patients is the muscle fatigue that is associated with the muscle wasting. Previous work has yet to address whether there is any connection in the expression of the PGC-1α protein, a key regulator in mitochondrial biogenesis, and the rate of fatigue in these cachectic patients. We hypothesize that if the rate of mitochondrial biogenesis is increased, shown by an increase in PGC-1a expression, then the rate of fatigue in the muscle will decrease. Numerous tests were run on ApcMin/+mice in order to examine whether there is any correlation between muscle fatigue and mitochondrial biogenesis. A Western blot was used to examine the expression of PGC-1a. Following this, the ApcMin/+ mice were then subjected to an in situ muscle function analysis in order to test the strength output capabilities of their leg muscle and the rate at which the muscles fatigue. Mitochondrial biogenesis in cachectic mice was increased in these mice, while no distinguishable difference was observed in the rate of muscle fatigue in cachectic and healthy mice. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the effects of cancer cachexia, as well as insights into improving the quality of life for the cancer patients.

Location

Wall 318

Start Date

3-25-2017 11:00 AM

Presentation Format

Oral and Written

Group Project

No

COinS
 
Mar 25th, 11:00 AM

Relationship Between The Expression of PGC-1Α and Muscle Fatigue In ApcMin/+ Mice.

Wall 318

Cancer cachexia is defined as severe muscle wasting due to cancer and affects 30%-80% of all cancer patients depending on their type of tumor. One of the leading causes of a poor quality of life in cachexia patients is the muscle fatigue that is associated with the muscle wasting. Previous work has yet to address whether there is any connection in the expression of the PGC-1α protein, a key regulator in mitochondrial biogenesis, and the rate of fatigue in these cachectic patients. We hypothesize that if the rate of mitochondrial biogenesis is increased, shown by an increase in PGC-1a expression, then the rate of fatigue in the muscle will decrease. Numerous tests were run on ApcMin/+mice in order to examine whether there is any correlation between muscle fatigue and mitochondrial biogenesis. A Western blot was used to examine the expression of PGC-1a. Following this, the ApcMin/+ mice were then subjected to an in situ muscle function analysis in order to test the strength output capabilities of their leg muscle and the rate at which the muscles fatigue. Mitochondrial biogenesis in cachectic mice was increased in these mice, while no distinguishable difference was observed in the rate of muscle fatigue in cachectic and healthy mice. These findings may lead to a better understanding of the effects of cancer cachexia, as well as insights into improving the quality of life for the cancer patients.