The Role of Dietary Copper and Zinc on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer’s Disease
| dc.contributor.advisor | Flinn, Jane M. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Boggs, Katelyn | |
| dc.creator | Boggs, Katelyn | |
| dc.date | 2015-12-03 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2016-06-30T18:01:13Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2016-06-30T18:01:13Z | |
| dc.description.abstract | The mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have long been studied, yet they remain poorly understood. Recent developments in the field of AD research established a role for trace metal homeostasis in AD pathogenesis. Additionally, inflammatory signaling pathways have been implicated in AD, and many of these pathways contain metal binding proteins. The present study will build on previous work in our lab, and focus on the role of dietary zinc and copper, as well as brain inflammation and oxidative stress, in an early onset model of AD. Previous work in our lab has found that excess dietary zinc can lead to copper deficiency and cause behavioral impairments in mice and rats. We have also found that increased dietary zinc leads to increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, and TNF-α in an AD mouse model. This study used wildtype (WT) control, and transgenic (Tg) mice expressing one copy of the human amyloid precursor protein mutation (hAPP), to examine the relationship between dietary zinc and copper on brain inflammation and oxidative stress in AD. Dietary manipulations included: copper deficient diet + lab water (Cu- animals), zinc enhanced water + copper control diet (Zn+ animals), and copper control diet + lab water (CC animals). To measure inflammation this study examined Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine thought to be a key initiator/regulator of the immune response. This study also examined levels of Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD-1), to gain insight into the role of oxidative stress in AD, as SOD- is delicately maintained by zinc and copper levels. All biomarkers were evaluated by Western blot. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1920/10298 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | Alzheimer's Disease | |
| dc.subject | Copper | |
| dc.subject | Zinc | |
| dc.subject | Inflammation | |
| dc.subject | Oxidative stress | |
| dc.title | The Role of Dietary Copper and Zinc on Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer’s Disease | |
| dc.type | Thesis | |
| thesis.degree.discipline | Psychology | |
| thesis.degree.grantor | George Mason University | |
| thesis.degree.level | Master's | |
| thesis.degree.name | Master of Arts in Psychology |