Date of Graduation

12-2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Health, Human Performance and Recreation

Advisor/Mentor

Washington, Tyrone

Committee Member/Reader

Greene, Nicholas

Committee Member/Second Reader

Fort, Inza

Abstract

This study aims to illuminate interaction between leucine supplementation and mitochondrial proteins concerned with synthesis and biogenesis. We hypothesized that supplementation with leucine will attenuate the weight gain of the high fat diet in comparison with the normal chow group, by enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis and content. We conducted a laboratory experiment using Western Blotting techniques to determine protein expression. Proteins of interest in this study include PGC-1α, COX-IV, TUFM, TFAM, and mtIF2. The findings from the research show a main effect of an increase in the expression of PGC-1 α in high fat diets. There was no difference in the expression of COX-IV with regard to either leucine supplementation or diet. There was a main effect of an increase in the expression of TUFM in high fat diets. A main effect of an increase in mtIF2 was seen in NC groups when compared with HF diet groups. The findings of this study support the current model that high fat diets cause dysregulation of mitochondria in that PGC-1 α protein content was upregulated and yet COX-IV protein content was unchanged.

Included in

Cell Biology Commons

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