Effects of High Protein Diet on Organ Anatomy Using a Murine Model
Grade Level at Time of Presentation
Secondary School
Institution
Project Lead The Way - Kentucky
KY House District #
80
KY Senate District #
15
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Jennifer Wilson
Abstract
Many high school athletes utilize protein supplements to improve athletic ability by gaining muscle mass. These supplements can come in many forms such as powders, pills, and food items. Excessive consumption of protein in teens has been tenuously linked to damage to the liver and surrounding digestive organs. Due to the excessive consumption of protein powders seen in high-school and college student athletes, these students are in danger of liver damage. This study investigates the effects of a high protein diet using a murine model. Two six-week-old Balb/cAnNHsd mice, one male and one female, were given a sixty percent protein diet (using a common protein powder supplement). Two six-week-old Balb/cAnNHsd mice, one male and one female, were given a standard murine diet with eighteen percent protein, a standard diet for laboratory mice. At the end of the investigation, the gross macroscopic anatomy and histology of the liver and other digestive organs will be examined. Observational data on the behavior of the murines given protein, show that behavior is significantly different than the counterparts. The investigation is ongoing at the time of this abstract, so all results are not yet available.
Effects of High Protein Diet on Organ Anatomy Using a Murine Model
Many high school athletes utilize protein supplements to improve athletic ability by gaining muscle mass. These supplements can come in many forms such as powders, pills, and food items. Excessive consumption of protein in teens has been tenuously linked to damage to the liver and surrounding digestive organs. Due to the excessive consumption of protein powders seen in high-school and college student athletes, these students are in danger of liver damage. This study investigates the effects of a high protein diet using a murine model. Two six-week-old Balb/cAnNHsd mice, one male and one female, were given a sixty percent protein diet (using a common protein powder supplement). Two six-week-old Balb/cAnNHsd mice, one male and one female, were given a standard murine diet with eighteen percent protein, a standard diet for laboratory mice. At the end of the investigation, the gross macroscopic anatomy and histology of the liver and other digestive organs will be examined. Observational data on the behavior of the murines given protein, show that behavior is significantly different than the counterparts. The investigation is ongoing at the time of this abstract, so all results are not yet available.