Tag: Chris Minson

Characteristics of Menstrual Cycle Manipulation with Combined Hormonal Contraception in a University Student Population

Presenter: Hannah Lakehomer

Mentor: Chris Minson

PM Poster Presentation

Poster 22

The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency and characteristics of menstrual cycle manipulation with combined hormonal contraception (CHC) among a population of college-age women. A self-administered email survey on menstrual cycle practices and beliefs was distributed to all female students at the U of O. Assessment of participant characteristics, menstrual cycle manipulation features, and attitudes/knowledge toward CHC was analyzed using standard statistical methods and probit models. Of respondents, 79.9% reported using CHC currently or recently and 20% of these women reported altering their menstrual cycle pattern or using ex- tended cycle regimens to delay/skip their menstrual periods. Of cycle manipulators, 47% indicated that they learned this practice from healthcare professionals, while about 30% indicated their source of information was from family or friends. Women taking CHC for period regulation, of Asian race, on a regular exercise program, and who preferred to menstruate monthly were less likely to manipulate their menstrual cycle. The likelihood of menstrual cycle manipulation increase dasfemaleage increased. Women whoused the pill, who preferred to menstruate less than monthly, and who felt fairly knowledgeable about their CHC were more likely to manipulate their menstrual cycle. In conclusion, a significant percentage of university-aged women who use CHC choose to manipulate their menstrual cycle and the characteristics of these women may predict probability of this choice.

Prevention of Ischemic Vascular Injury: Targeting Cellular Stress in the Endothelium with 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR)

Presenter: Sarah Johnson

Mentor: Chris Minson

Poster: 19

Major: Biology

Ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common complication in which tissues reperfused after an ischemic period experience further damage and dysfunction. Activation of endothelial cells (EC) produces excessive oxygen radicals and triggers vascular inflammation, cellular stress and apoptotic activation, which contribute to the pathophysiology of I/R injury. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) stimulation has been shown to reduce I/R injury following coronary ligation, though the mechanism and cell specificity are unclear. Therefore, we hypothesize AICAR, an adenosine mimetic previously shown to activate AMPK, will promote cytoprotective pathways in ECs, reduce stress and attenuate apoptotic activity under hypoxic stress. To model ischemia, human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured at physiological normoxic or hypoxic (8 / 1% O2) conditions and treated with AICAR (0.2, and 2mM). Cell protein and media were collected for further analysis. AICAR increased (p<0.05) pAMPKα/AMPKα in hypoxic conditions, but not in normoxia. AICAR pretreatment (2mM, 1hr) and subsequent exposure hypoxia (24hr) showed decreased (p<0.05) BiP expression and cell-adhesion molecule ICAM-1 compared to normoxic control. AICAR reduced (p<0.05) cellular metabolic activity measured by MTT assay in both 8% and 1% O2. Further, reduced ET-1 secretion (p<0.05) followed AICAR treatment (434 ±14 vs. *179 ±1pg/mL). Endothelial permeability increased (p<0.05) with AICAR at 12 (869%) and 24 hours (315%) compared to controls. These data suggest that through AMPK activation, 1 hour treatment with AICAR slows cellular metabolic activity which reduces cell stress and apoptotic activity, and could be a novel modality for prevention of I/R injury in various reperfusion models such as coronary, transplanted tissue models, and vascular disease. Further in vivo studies are needed to assess these promising in vitro results.