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2021 Abstracts

The Effects of Pterostilbene on the Oxidant Status of Red Blood Cells in Hyperglycemic Conditions

Presenter: Hana Hanks, College of Physical Sciences, Chemistry
Authors: Landon S. Saipale, Jenikka M. Lovell, Kimberlyn A. Loftus, Tanner M. Aldridge
Faculty Advisor: Jennifer Meyer, College of Physical Sciences, Chemistry
Institution: Dixie State University

Antioxidants in the human body regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS). If ROS are increased within the body it can potentially lead to oxidative stress and cell injury. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an enzyme found in the pentose phosphate pathway that assists in reducing the amount of ROS in the bloodstream. In conditions with increased concentrations of glucose, such as in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, there has been a decrease in G6PD activity, resulting in damage to erythrocytes (RBCs)2 by ROS. It has been shown that hyperglycemic conditions decrease the activity of G6PD in RBCs, which is improved by the addition of pterostilbene, a potent antioxidant1. Glutathione, another antioxidant found in the pentose phosphate pathway, is decreased in RBCs within hyperglycemic conditions. The addition of pterostilbene is predicted to increase levels of glutathione under high glucose conditions. References 1. Richins, M., & Meyer, J. (2018). Pterostilbene Ameliorates Lipid Peroxidation and Increases Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Activity in Erythrocytes Subjected to High Glucose Conditions. American Heart Association Journals, 138. 2. Zang, Z., Apse, K., Pang, J., & Stanton, R. C. (2000). High glucose inhibits glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase via cAMP in aortic endothelial cells. The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 275(51), 40042-40047. Doi: 10.1074/jbc.M007505200