The Role of Nr4a1 in β-cell Growth and Onset of Type 2 Diabetes

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Adam Wynn, Jeffery Tessem, Ph.D. Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Progression to type 2 diabetes (T2D) includes a loss of functional pancreatic beta cells (β-cells), which are responsible for secreting insulin and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels. Nr4a1 is a gene that has been shown to be involved in fuel utilization in the liver, muscles, and […]

NF κB as a Mediator in Iron Regulation

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Erik D Marchant and Chad Hancock, Nutrition, Dietetics & Food Science Introduction Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly used chemotherapy drug. Although it is very effective in treating many different types of cancer, it has also been shown to induce oxidative stress in multiple tissues, partially due to severe iron-dysregulation. The effects of DOX have mostly […]

The Effects of Hyperlipidemia on β-Cells

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Andrew Barlow, Trevor Lloyd, Mason Poffenbarger, Austin Ricks, Dr. Jeffery Tessem; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Introduction Diabetes’ prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. Normally, insulin-secreting β-cells in the pancreas regulate proper glucose absorption and storage. Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are characterized by decreased functional β-cell mass and insulin production (1). Diabetes also results […]

Iron Dysregulation induced by Oxidative Stress is Prevented by Curcumin in C2C12 Skeletal Muscle Cells

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Jacob Anderson, Dr. Chad Hancock; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Introduction Recent studies indicate a correlation between iron dysregulation and insulin sensitivity, suggesting that iron dysregulation may play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus [1]. However, the connection between iron regulation and insulin sensitivity is not fully understood. Iron is normally tightly regulated, and […]

Is MafB Essential to β-Cell Growth and Proliferation?

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Aaron Leifer and Faculty Mentor Jeffery Tessem, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Project Purpose: Our goal is to determine if MafB is necessary for β Cell proliferation and glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Project Importance: Approximately 29.1 million people are affected by type 1 or type 2 diabetes in the United States, according to 2014 […]

Decreasing Nutrient Deficiencies in Malawi Through Nixtamalization: A Sustainable Maize Fortification Method

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Brooke Carroll and Faculty Mentor: Frost Steele, NDFS The purpose of this study was to address several nutritional deficiencies in a typical Malawian diet through an ancient Mesoamerican process known as nixtamalization. Calcium and niacin, both crucial micronutrients, are both increased through this maize treatment process. It requires an alkaline solution, which we created from […]

Accumulation and retention in brain of supplemental selenium is determined by dietary composition

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Robert Fender and Faculty Mentor: Merrill Christensen, Nutrition, Dietetics, Food Science Introduction It is estimated that over 6 million Americans suffer from the neurodegenerative diseases of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s combined, with 1 in 4 Americans suffering from some type of mental illness (1). Oxidative damage and inflammation, which is a recognized hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases, […]

β-cell Adaptation to Decreased Nr4a Expression in Conditions of Elevated Palmitate Concentrations (Hyperlipidemia)

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Daniel Lathen and Jeffery Tessem, Department of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Introduction Diabetes’ prevalence is increasing at an alarming rate. Normally, insulin-secreting β-cells in the pancreas regulate proper glucose absorption and storage. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are characterized by decreased functional β-cell mass and insulin production and increased circulating glucose and […]

Defining Nkx6.1 binding partners in young and aged pancreatic islet

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Defining Nkx6.1 binding partners in young and aged pancreatic islet Sean Kang zolasean@gmail.com Dr. Jeffery Tessem Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Project Purpose To determine binding partners of the transcription factor Nkx6.1 in the β-cell, and define the differences in their expression and binding in adolescent and aged rat islets. Project Importance Diabetes is an […]