BIO

My name is Reagan Stern, and I am originally from San Diego, California, but currently live just south of Nashville, Tennessee. I am currently a freshman majoring in cell and molecular neuroscience and apart of the honors program at Florida State. Currently, I am involved in my sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, and in FSU Panhellenic through CORE. I am also involved in Nu Rho Psi (Neuroscience Honors Society) and NUSA (Neuroscience e Undergraduate Student Association). I aspire to go to both medical school and graduate school through an MD/PhD program to become either a pediatric oncologist or a neonatologist, while still conducting biomedical research.

Exploring Arterial Dysfunction in C57BL/6J Mice through Histological Examination

Abstract

Age- and lifestyle-related changes in the structural and functional properties of arteries contribute to impaired vascular function, elevated blood pressure, and a heightened risk of cardiovascular disease. Despite the well-established benefits of regular exercise and a healthy diet in preventing obesity and promoting heart health, the prevalence of a high salt, high-fat diet, and inadequate physical exercise in the typical American lifestyle contributes to cardiovascular disease. This research focuses on understanding how interventions, specifically exercise and dietary modifications, that have an effect on the restoration of vascular function. For this research, we will be using the C57BL/6J mice, which is an inbred strain that was the first to have their genome completely sequenced. These mice are particularly useful for studying cardiovascular diseases related to aging because they have low bone density, are capable of developing diet-induced obesity, and type 2 diabetes. After dietary exposure, mice were dissected, and their aortas were preserved, sliced, stained, and microscopically analyzed. The histology analysis detailed examination of the differences between the normal chow and western diets. The findings from this study contribute valuable insights into the intricate relationship between diet, exercise, and cardiovascular health. By utilizing the C57/BL/6J mouse model, this research enhances our understanding and ultimately paves the way for targeted interventions and preventive strategies in cardiovascular health.

Keywords: Arterial Dysfunction, Elastin, Trichrome, Mice