Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

5-2013

School/College

College of Science, Engineering, and Technology (COSET)

Degree Name

MS in Biology

First Advisor

Professor Fawzia Abdel-Rahman

Abstract

Antioxidants are substances found in many foods, nuts, grains, fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants protect cells from the damage caused from free radicals. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the main constituent of green tea. Studies show that EGCG protects against oxidative stress. There is indication that EGCG can prevent neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. Caenorhabditis elegans are used as model organisms to better understand the effect of zero gravity on organisms. With the widespread popularity of space flight, scientists continue to better understand the consequences of microgravity on organism. Microgravity weakens the muscular, skeletal, nervous system, reproductive and immune system. Numerous studies have shown the affect of microgravity on the reproduction, lifecycle and development of C. elegans. In this study, C. elegans eggs were exposed to modeled microgravity for 48 hours. EGCG was used as a supplemental food source to 1 2 counteract the stress microgravity caused on C. elegans. EGCG was added to the food source to NGM plates at 4 different concentrations, control (Oug/ml), 5 ug/ml 1 Oug/ml and 20􁪽g/ml. There was a correlation between EGCG and the reduction of oxidative stress. The 20􁪽g/ml EGCG concentration showed a significant increase in the eggs laid in one hour-per adult, the average body bends in the locomotion track, longer mean of lifespan and greater brood size in generation time. Here we showed that EGCG improved C. elegans reproduction, locomotion and extended the lifespan

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