Date of Award

Spring 5-24-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Jamie Newman

Abstract

Obesity is a condition that affects over 40% of American adults and contributes to numerous preventable health issues. This condition is caused by increased adipose tissue, which forms when stem cells transform into adipocytes. Mesenchymal stem cells, including human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC), are multipotent with the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, osteocytes, or chondrocytes. Many factors affect this transformation, including the peptide growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH). The main role of GHRH is to trigger the release of growth hormone, but it has also been found to play an important role in adipocyte metabolism. We expect that if the differentiation of hASCs into adipocytes is influenced by levels of GHRH, then inhibiting GHRH receptor (GHRH-R) will lead to a decrease in overall adipose tissue. To examine this, the expression of GHRH-R as well as the effects of its inhibition on hASC self-renewal and adipogenesis will be monitored. After GHRHR expression is examined, a GHRH antagonist, JV-1-36, will be administered to the hASCs through the cell’s media, and the impact on self-renewal and adipogenic differentiation will be monitored. Results have indicated that JV-1-36 plays a role in cellular proliferation of self-renewing cells, while not impacting their cell morphology. The administration of the antagonist showed varied effects on adipogenesis, needing more results to substantiate its role. However, this decrease in adipose tissue could lead to the elimination of obesity, helping millions of Americans.

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