Publication Date

2009-01-01

Availability

Open access

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Medicine)

Date of Defense

2008-11-04

First Committee Member

Dr. Walter Scott - Committee Member

Second Committee Member

Dr. Terace Fletcher - Committee Member

Third Committee Member

Dr. Jennifer Hu - Mentor

Abstract

Dietary factors have been implicated in the risk of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Much interest has been placed upon the effects of suspected chemopreventative agents found in fruit and vegetables associated with low HNSCC risk. However, studies investigating specific uptake of these agents have failed to show positive results. The possibility exists that single chemopreventative agents fail to provide the same beneficial effect as the various compounds found in a fruits and vegetables is examined. Curatively treated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients ingested Juice Plus, a F&V extract supplement containing multiple chemopreventative agents, for 12 weeks. Lymphocyte samples of participants were collect pre- and post- treatment and examined in pairs. Despite the study currently still blinded, surrogate endpoint biomarkers were evaluated to observer any modification between pre- and post treatment samples. Although a paired t-test showed no significant difference between pre- and post treatment samples on surrogate endpoint biomarkers, there is a significant difference in population distribution between treatment times signifying a modification of the surrogate endpoint biomarkers. The exact nature of this difference is pending due to the blinded status of the study.

Keywords

Alkaline Comet Assay; Cell Cycle Delay; Lymphocytes

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