Abstract
Exposure to ionizing radiation may have deleterious effects on physical and mental health, with an increased risk of proton radiation for astronauts traveling outside Earth's atmosphere into lower earth orbit. In animal models, radiation has been shown to suppress neurogenesis in the subgranular zone of the hippocampus, a key area for learning and memory. Furthermore, some evidence suggests that compounds found in fruits and vegetables (e.g. polyphenols) may offer some protection against the cellular effects of radiation. Few studies have looked at the effects of proton radiation on the central nervous system, even though proton radiation is the most prevalent ionizing radiation in space. This study determined whether a polyphenol-rich diet could offer enough protection from the effects of radiation to maintain complex cognitive and fine motor skills such as those required by astronauts. Ninety-six C57BL/6 mice (48 receiving pomegranate juice and 48 receiving sugar water control in their drinking bottles) underwent a battery of behavioral tests to assess baseline cognitive and motor functions and were then either irradiated with proton radiation (2 Gy at 150 MeV/n at 1-2 Gy/min) or sham irradiated. 2 Gy is the approximate dose of radiation to which an astronaut on a long-term mission to Mars may be exposed. Post-radiation behaviors were assessed 1-2 days after irradiation and again two months later to determine radiation-related behavioral changes. Radiation affected depression- and avoidance behaviors. Pomegranate juice was found to be protective against radiation-induced depression, but had gender-specific affects for avoidance behavior. In addition, pomegranate juice seemed to have a greater effect on males than females, inducing behavior similar to that of females in tests of motor coordination and activity levels. Furthermore, the birth of new glial cells and neurons in the hippocampus was quantified using immunohistochemistry for BrdU+/DCX+ cells. Radiation suppressed cell proliferation (BrdU+) and neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (BrdU+/DCX+) of the hippocampus. Pomegranate juice increased neurogenesis (DCX+) in the hippocampus of non-irradiated mice. These data highlight the importance of understanding the complex gender-specific interactions between diet, behavior, and neuropathology, and suggest that pomegranate juice may protect against some radiation-induced deficits.
LLU Discipline
Experimental Psychology
Department
Psychology
School
School of Behavioral Health
First Advisor
Hartman, Richard E.
Second Advisor
Haerich, Paul
Third Advisor
Pop, Viorela
Fourth Advisor
Vermeersch, David
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Level
Ph.D.
Year Degree Awarded
January 2013
Date (Title Page)
6-1-2013
Language
English
Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings
Ionizing radiation - toxicology; Radiation effects; Antioxidants;
Subject - Local
Proton radiation; Pomegranates; Hippocampus; Behavior; Ionizing radiation; Antioxidants; Neurogenesis; Central nervous system; Polyphenols; Radiation-induced depression
Type
Dissertation
Page Count
160 p.
Digital Format
Application/PDF
Digital Publisher
Loma Linda University Libraries
Copyright
Author
Usage Rights
This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.
Recommended Citation
Dulcich, Melissa S., "Effects of Proton Radiation and Pomegranates on Hippocampus and Behavior" (2013). Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects. 119.
https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/119
Collection
Loma Linda University Electronic Theses & Dissertations
Collection Website
http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/
Repository
Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives