The Impact of High Fat Diet and Long-Term Estrogen Loss on Cardiac Fibrosis
Abstract
This research investigates the role of a high fat diet (HFD) and estrogen loss on cardiac fibrosis. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known as a leading cause of death worldwide. Although CVD is prominent in both males and females, most research has been performed on male models leaving a significant gap in knowledge about CVD presentation in women. A significant feature in heart failure and CVD is cardiac fibrosis, which occurs when damaged heart tissue is replaced with scarring. Also, as women age and experience estrogen loss, they become more susceptible to weight gain and experience adverse effects in their cardiovascular health. Furthermore, many people within the United States have a diet high in fat concentration, so it is important to understand how this impacts women in this nation. The purpose of this research is to understand how prolonged estrogen loss and a HFD impact cardiac fibrosis. More importantly, this research will assist in filling the gap in knowledge regarding women and their cardiovascular health. Our central hypothesis is that prolonged estrogen loss and consumption of a HFD will increase fibrosis and CVD. Animals were divided into four treatment groups: SHAM (control), OVX (ovariectomy), SHAM + HFD, and OVX + HFD. Mice received an ovariectomy at 2.5 months and were allowed to deplete for 18 months post-ovariectomy followed by HFD feeding for 4 months. Masson's Trichrome staining was used to detect cardiac fibrosis. Results are currently in progress. Significance of results will be determined by a two-way ANOVA and student's t-test. The expected results of this study are high levels of fibrosis in the OVX +HFD treatment group.
Start Time
15-4-2026 10:00 AM
End Time
15-4-2026 11:00 AM
Room Number
219
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
UG Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Student Type
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Cerrone Foster
The Impact of High Fat Diet and Long-Term Estrogen Loss on Cardiac Fibrosis
219
This research investigates the role of a high fat diet (HFD) and estrogen loss on cardiac fibrosis. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is known as a leading cause of death worldwide. Although CVD is prominent in both males and females, most research has been performed on male models leaving a significant gap in knowledge about CVD presentation in women. A significant feature in heart failure and CVD is cardiac fibrosis, which occurs when damaged heart tissue is replaced with scarring. Also, as women age and experience estrogen loss, they become more susceptible to weight gain and experience adverse effects in their cardiovascular health. Furthermore, many people within the United States have a diet high in fat concentration, so it is important to understand how this impacts women in this nation. The purpose of this research is to understand how prolonged estrogen loss and a HFD impact cardiac fibrosis. More importantly, this research will assist in filling the gap in knowledge regarding women and their cardiovascular health. Our central hypothesis is that prolonged estrogen loss and consumption of a HFD will increase fibrosis and CVD. Animals were divided into four treatment groups: SHAM (control), OVX (ovariectomy), SHAM + HFD, and OVX + HFD. Mice received an ovariectomy at 2.5 months and were allowed to deplete for 18 months post-ovariectomy followed by HFD feeding for 4 months. Masson's Trichrome staining was used to detect cardiac fibrosis. Results are currently in progress. Significance of results will be determined by a two-way ANOVA and student's t-test. The expected results of this study are high levels of fibrosis in the OVX +HFD treatment group.
