Authors: Gabe Matthews, Easton Eddie
Mentors: Jennifer Meyer
Insitution: Utah Tech University
Diabetes is a prevalent chronic health condition associated with significant complications, including diabetic kidney disease. The accumulation of elevated glucose levels in cells triggers an upregulation of NADPH Oxidase (NOX) expression, contributing to diabetic kidney disease. NOX activation results in an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing oxidative stress and cellular proliferation. Pterostilbene, recognized for its natural antioxidant properties, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing oxidative stress across various cell types. This study focuses on elucidating the NOX pathways in endothelial cells exposed to hyperglycemic conditions and assessing the extent of oxidative stress reduction with the introduction of pterostilbene. To quantify cellular oxidative stress, we will employ an Amplex Red assay to measure superoxide and hydrogen peroxide levels within the cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) will also be utilized to assess NOX protein gene expression at the mRNA level. To complement these methods, a western blot analysis is conducted to quantify NOX protein concentrations under distinct environmental conditions. Our research aims to shed light on the potential of pterostilbene as a therapeutic agent in mitigating oxidative stress associated with hyperglycemic conditions in endothelial cells.