PARP1 Expression in Animal Models of Stress
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Michelle Chandley
Mentor Home Department
Biomedical Sciences
Short Abstract
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder that affects a large portion of the U.S. adult population each year. It is distinguished through symptoms such as overwhelming feelings of sadness or loss of interest in daily activities that can affect an individual’s physical health and interpersonal relationships. Currently, many antidepressant medications lack efficacy in treatment of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Previous studies have shown a strong correlation between oxidative stress, inflammation, and MDD illuminating possible molecular pathways to be studied in the identification of new targets for pharmaceutical development. Previous studies have also shown elevated DNA oxidation levels in rat models of stress, suggesting that these models are useful in studying associated molecular pathways. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP1) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) are understood to be oxidative stress markers influencing inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate protein levels of PARP1 and HMGB1 proteins in the prelimbic and infralimbic brain regions using an alcohol exposed and stress induced rat model to compare to control animals. Immunoblotting using the Abby western Protein Simple analyzer and traditional western blotting techniques were performed in both brain regions. PARP1 and HMGB1 were hypothesized to increase with stress and alcohol exposure; however, no significant expression differences were found within the two groups in either brain region using a student’s t test analysis. These studies contribute to the idea that anti-inflammatory pathways may or may not serve as potential drug targets in the treatment of stress-related disorders.
Category
Health
Start Date
5-4-2024 2:30 PM
End Date
5-4-2024 3:30 PM
Location
D.P. Culp Center Room 219
PARP1 Expression in Animal Models of Stress
D.P. Culp Center Room 219
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is a psychiatric disorder that affects a large portion of the U.S. adult population each year. It is distinguished through symptoms such as overwhelming feelings of sadness or loss of interest in daily activities that can affect an individual’s physical health and interpersonal relationships. Currently, many antidepressant medications lack efficacy in treatment of patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Previous studies have shown a strong correlation between oxidative stress, inflammation, and MDD illuminating possible molecular pathways to be studied in the identification of new targets for pharmaceutical development. Previous studies have also shown elevated DNA oxidation levels in rat models of stress, suggesting that these models are useful in studying associated molecular pathways. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP1) and high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) are understood to be oxidative stress markers influencing inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate protein levels of PARP1 and HMGB1 proteins in the prelimbic and infralimbic brain regions using an alcohol exposed and stress induced rat model to compare to control animals. Immunoblotting using the Abby western Protein Simple analyzer and traditional western blotting techniques were performed in both brain regions. PARP1 and HMGB1 were hypothesized to increase with stress and alcohol exposure; however, no significant expression differences were found within the two groups in either brain region using a student’s t test analysis. These studies contribute to the idea that anti-inflammatory pathways may or may not serve as potential drug targets in the treatment of stress-related disorders.