Prophylactic Biochanin A Induces GOT Expression and Protects Against Acute Ischemic Stroke

Overview

Stroke is the leading cause of disability and the fourth leading cause of death in the US. Acute Ischemic Stroke accounts for 80% of cases in adult stroke victims. In this context, the present research aims to reduce the devastating effects of acute ischemic stroke. Our project consisted of four parts, utilizing a mouse model. The first component involved laser capture microdissection (LCM) of neurons from stroke-affected mice to determine the effects of biochanin A supplementation on GOT mRNA expression. The second component involved the immunohistochemical determination of GOT protein expression in response to biochanin A supplementation. The next facet employed Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) image analysis of post stroke MRI to determine lesion volume. The final element was behavioral analysis, a study of sensorimotor outcomes at 48-hrs post-stroke. LCM/cDNA synthesis/Real-time PCR showed a statistically significant increase in GOT mRNA expression with the 5 mg/kg biochanin supplementation. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated proliferation of GOT protein expression as the control to 5 mg/kg biochanin supplementation group displayed an increase of almost 80% more expression within the stroke injury. The MRI tracings yield lesion volumes consistent with the positive effects of biochanin A supplementation as they show a 54% increase in tissue protection. Behavioral analysis further emphasized the protective properties of biochanin A through functional indicators such as distance travelled, total time mobile, and speed. In fact, total time mobile increased by about 30 seconds (during a 5-minute period) with supplementation. All aspects of our study indicated that GOT expression and stroke protection increased with biochanin supplementation.

Competition history

• ISEF 2015 Biomedical Engineering · Entry BMED087T

Resources

• ISEF abstract page ↗

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