North Carolina State University Undergraduate Symposium





2010 - 19th Annual NC State Undergraduate Research Spring Symposium
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Session Time : 4/22/10 12:15 PM - 4/22/10 1:30 PM
Content Area : Biological Sciences
Student Presenters :
Maxwell Nolen Rudie Biochemistry
Mentors and/or Co-Authors :
Robert Chatterton Departments of Ob/Gyn, Physiology, and Pathology
Abstract Title : Measuring Steroid Levels Through the use of RIA’s in Adipose Tissue Collected by Fine Needle Aspiration
Abstract :
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is a process for obtaining normal breast tissue.  The breast contains many steroids because it contains a high proportion of adipose tissue in which steroids are soluble.  This study was initiated because there is currently no published procedure for measuring the steroids in adipose tissue extracted by FNA.   To get familiar with the extraction process initially 3H(tritiated)-endoxifen, 3H-estradiol, and 3H-progesterone were homogenized in with a sample of adipose tissue.  The extraction process was then performed and the tritiated products were counted in a scintillation counter to determine percent recovery of the steroid.  After working out the extraction process, a cocktail of estrone (E1), estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and androstendione (A4) was prepared.  These steroids were extracted from breast tissue and separated into steroid fractions by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).  These fractions were radioimmunoassayed (RIA) to determine the concentration of steroid in each.  The results of these tests proved to be inconclusive; with the vast majority of blanks recording a higher reading then the spiked samples.  Sample recoveries varied greatly.  These results were most likely the result of contamination in the extraction process.  In future analysis the flaws in the extraction processes must be seeded out.  If a sound process is created, then it will allow steroid levels to be measured in any region in the body where adipose tissue exists.  This will allow the scientific community to be able to track treatments as they make their way throughout a patient.