The contribution of a high-fat diet to neurodegeneration and oxidative stress in a drosophila melanogaster model of Alzheimer’s disease
Publication Date
July 16, 2024
Creator
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a growing global health challenge due to its increasing prevalence. AD is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterised by abnormal accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) consisting of hyperphosphorylated Tau, leading to brain changes and cognitive decline. Predisposing genetic mutations, such as those affecting Aβ accumulation and aggregation or apolipoprotein signalling, enhance the risk of developing AD which may be further accelerated by environmental factors such as diet.
To investigate the effect of a high-fat (HF) diet on AD pathology a Drosophila melanogaster model was used, including flies overexpressing Aβarc mutations, resembling familial AD, and hApoE4 expressing flies modelling sporadic AD. The flies were divided into normal food (NF) and high-fat (HF) groups with further grouping by age (10 and 45 days old) and sex. Multiple assays were conducted, characterising oxidative stress markers, cleaved Caspase-3 expression, lifespan and climbing ability.
The findings suggest a HF diet, age, and genotype are all factors that can influence oxidative stress, the response to oxidative stress, and AD pathogenesis. Notably, the use of coconut oil in the HF diet hinted at potential neuroprotective effects, challenging expectations that this diet would exacerbate AD pathogenesis.
Item Type
ethesis
Thesis Type
MRes
Supervisors
Subjects (LC)
Associated Schools / Departments
School of Life Sciences
eprints ID
77165
UoN Repository URI
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FINAL THESIS.pdf
Type
Full-text
Description
Examined. Final Thesis after minor corrections
Size
16.9 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
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