The Impacts of Fibrosis, High Fat Diet, and Estrogen Loss on Heart Structure and Function

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known to be a leading cause of illness and death both nationally and globally, and it impacts a significant number of women that live with CVD and have passed because of its impacts. Although CVD is prominent in both males and females, most research has been performed on male models leaving a significant gap in knowledge on the topic of CVD in women. A significant feature in heart failure is accumulation in cardiac fibrosis where the damaged heart tissue is replaced with scar tissue. The purpose of this research is to assist in closing this gap regarding women and their cardiovascular health by studying how estrogen loss and a high fat diet (HFD) impact fibrosis levels. Our central hypothesis is that prolonged estrogen loss and HFD will increase fibrosis. This research will use aged animals that are 18 months post-ovariectomy (OVX) with HFD that was applied at 20 months and will be carried out for 3 months. The animals will be divided into 4 groups: SHAM, OVX, SHAM +HFD, and OVX + HFD. Masson’s Trichrome staining is used to detect fibrosis after heart tissue is collected and sectioned. The expected results of this study are to observe the highest levels of fibrosis in mice who are part of the OVX + HFD treatment group.

Start Time

16-4-2025 9:00 AM

End Time

16-4-2025 10:00 AM

Room Number

272

Presentation Type

Oral Presentation

Presentation Subtype

Research-in-Progress

Presentation Category

Health

Faculty Mentor

Cerrone Foster

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Apr 16th, 9:00 AM Apr 16th, 10:00 AM

The Impacts of Fibrosis, High Fat Diet, and Estrogen Loss on Heart Structure and Function

272

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known to be a leading cause of illness and death both nationally and globally, and it impacts a significant number of women that live with CVD and have passed because of its impacts. Although CVD is prominent in both males and females, most research has been performed on male models leaving a significant gap in knowledge on the topic of CVD in women. A significant feature in heart failure is accumulation in cardiac fibrosis where the damaged heart tissue is replaced with scar tissue. The purpose of this research is to assist in closing this gap regarding women and their cardiovascular health by studying how estrogen loss and a high fat diet (HFD) impact fibrosis levels. Our central hypothesis is that prolonged estrogen loss and HFD will increase fibrosis. This research will use aged animals that are 18 months post-ovariectomy (OVX) with HFD that was applied at 20 months and will be carried out for 3 months. The animals will be divided into 4 groups: SHAM, OVX, SHAM +HFD, and OVX + HFD. Masson’s Trichrome staining is used to detect fibrosis after heart tissue is collected and sectioned. The expected results of this study are to observe the highest levels of fibrosis in mice who are part of the OVX + HFD treatment group.