Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease that affects the articular cartilage of the joints. Millions of people suffer worldwide and it is a major cause of disability in the United States. Current research for treatments of osteoarthritis are studying tissue-engineered cartilage in vitro generated by articular chondrocytes. A challenge faced in vitro for cartilage tissue engineering is the failure of chondrocytes to produce adequate expression of type II collagen. Surprisingly, the media commonly used in vitro lacks 14 vitamins and minerals present in the physiological environment of chondrocytes. Therefore, studying the interactions between micronutrients and chondrocytes may help in potentially increasing the amount of type II collagen expressed by these cells. This project studied the combinatorial effects of vitamins and minerals in defined chondrogenic media on type II collagen expression. Linolenic acid was determined to have predominantly negative effects on chondrogenesis and Vitamin B7 to have beneficial effects. Multiple vitamins and minerals displayed significant interactions, both positive and negative.

Thesis Completion

2021

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Kean, Thomas

Co-Chair

Altomare, Deborah

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Medicine

Department

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

Degree Program

Biomedical Sciences

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

5-1-2021

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