Alcohol consumption and addiction upregulates/downregulates microscopic protein biomarkers!

Harnoor Sachar

Overview

In 2012, 5.1% of the burden of disease and injury worldwide was connected to alcohol consumption, which is why there is reason to believe that it is not just receptor inhibition that results in alcohol’s detriments, but rather there are additional ways that it harms the body (specifically the brain). This study aimed to find which cytokines are secreted in the liver as a result of alcohol addiction, and how the cytokines affect the cellular microenvironment, potentially opening the door to many diseases. The hypothesis was two-fold: (1) The IL-6 protein production (inflammation) will increase in alcoholic liver cells (2) The IL-1β protein (immune response) production will decrease in alcoholic liver cells. The research presented here found that when HepG2 cells were treated with ethanol for 24 hours, cell proliferation decreased by ~120% in the 3% and 4% concentrations, and for 48 hours, cell proliferation decreased by ~110% in the 3% and 4% concentrations. Then, ELISAs were conducted in order to test for IL-6 (*p<0.05 in 3% and 4%) and IL-1β (*p<0.05 in 3% and 4%) to reveal which particular cytokines are secreted in alcohol-treated cells and at which concentrations they are statistically significant. The ELISAs revealed that IL-6 protein expression increased at 3% and 4% ethanol, while IL-1β protein expression decreased at 3% and 4% ethanol. The results indicate that alcohol addiction is associated with increased inflammation, which can lead to cell & DNA damage, and decreased immune response, which leads to frequent infection & diseases.

From the student

As an incoming student into the medical academy, I was in awe of the large labs, stem cells, and expensive equipment in my high school research labs. That being said, I didn’t know if it was for me. I could not imagine my loud, debater-musician self sitting in a lab and working with cells. Regardless, I went along with most of my medical academy peers who were eagerly joining the program.

Four years later, I am so thankful for that innocent decision. I credit so much of what I have learned in high school to cell biology research. That research project was my first step into the incredibly vast and unknown aspects of science. I always viewed scientific knowledge as something of certainty; as something that could not be changed. Research has made me realize there is so much that the world and I have yet to learn: there is no such thing as ”final knowledge” in science.

Research has taught me just as much about myself as a person, as it has about the depths of science. I had joined this activity by following the crowd, not knowing what I was getting myself into. I had many setbacks, many frustrating moments trying to navigate myself through the unknown, but I later realized that I was simultaneously learning patience and discipline, skills that I am now able to apply to other parts of my life.

Although research was a new experience for me, I see parts of myself reflected in my project. I am the only student in my lab to take on a project about the effects and treatment of alcohol addiction, which incorporated my passion for civil service and science. I realized that change can manifest in many ways, whether it be the social justice issues I raise my voice about or the under-researched projects I take on that affect underprivileged minorities. Research is something I know I will continue through college and beyond, both as an interest and as a passion to better the world.