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(University of Washington 2022)
Context!
The objective of this study was to observe whether or not a natural metabolic supplement, claiming to increase metabolism, was effective in its claims. This study was performed with wild type Drosophila melanogaster as well as the natural metabolic-boosting supplement, 7-Keto Dehydroepiandrosterone, more commonly known as 7-Keto DHEA. With a lack of research backing the supplement’s overall effectiveness, 7-Keto DHEA was expected to increase the metabolic rate of D.melanogaster, subsequently decreasing the organism’s lifespan. Ultimately, it has been previously hypothesized that if the 7-Keto DHEA was effective, there would be a negative correlation regarding the lifespan of the D. melanogaster.
My Contribution!
In order to look further into the current gap of the effectiveness of 7-Keto DHEA as a metabolite, I am taking a sample size of 60 D. melanogaster and administering three various dosages, which are the equivalent of a 200-400 mg recommended dosage in humans (Fig 1). This will allow me to look at the effectiveness, if any, at varying dosages, and view how this impacts their metabolism, as a result of varying lifespans in the flies. Through this research, I can contribute to the conversation by presenting my findings and although fruit flies are not a perfect example of what would happen in humans, the genetic similarities would help to work more toward finding an answer of the effectiveness in humans. There is a distinct correlation that establishes that increasing heat will consequently increase metabolism in D. melanogaster (Molon 2020). In addition, there is a link between increased metabolism leading to a decrease in lifespan (Olshansky 2005). The gap that I am exploring is in reference to whether or not 7-Keto DHEA is a successful weight loss supplement. There are claims that produce possible evidence that taking supplements of 7-Keto DHEA can increase metabolism, and lead to weight loss; however, there is still a debate as to whether or not it truly is successful in increasing metabolism (Fig. 5). Although these results do not directly correlate to humans, by examining whether or not 7-Keto DHEA really is a successful weight loss supplement in D. melanogaster,a model organism utilized due to the genetic similarities between them, it could potentially lead to further research in the future, in a process that directly involves humans. As of now, the effectiveness of 7-Keto DHEA has not been fully established, allowing me to contribute to the scholarly conversation, and work one step closer to determine whether or not there is a relationship between 7-Keto DHEA and increased metabolism, as modeled in D. melanogaster.
Process!
In order to ensure the flies were ready, I had to begin by culturing the flies in vials with 5 grams of Formula 4-24 Instant Drosophila Medium as well as 22 mL of tap water. Throughout December and January I cultured the flies, spliting them into new vials as needed and working to avoid a population crash. In order for this research to be successful, all of the D. melanogaster in each vial must be the same age as I am measuring the effectiveness through their lifespan. Once the trials began, I woke up 8 hours before class, which was 1:00 am and released all of the unhatched flies. This allowed for me to ensure that only virgins remained in the vial as flies can begin mating after 8 hours. Each day that I would bring flies into class, I would separate them by sex, however, I needed them to be anesthetized, which I did by placing them in the freezer for 5 minutes, which was long enough for them to stay asleep, but not to die. I would then sex them under the microscope and separate them into their corresponding vials and date the vials, allowing for me to track how long each of the flies lived, and the average lifespan of each vial.
I sexed them, looking for a longer, more pointy back end on the females, and a shorter, rounded back end and sex combs on males (Fig. 6). I will then use this and analyze it through a two-tailed T test for equal means in order to determine whether there is statistical significance of the effectiveness of 7-Keto DHEA on D. melanogaster.
Sexing!
Sexing!
Before I sex the flies, they are put into a petri plate to be frozen and asleep while I sex them under a microscope.
Culturing!
Culturing!
Throughout the month of December, and early January, I allowed the flies to reproduce and separated them into various vials to speed up the process and avoid a population crash.
My Progress!
As far as this process goes, I have about four vials that still need flies, meaning that I will continue virgin week protocols until all flies are collected. Once this happens, I wait for the flies to consume their media, replacing if necessary, and waiting for them all to die, documenting how long each one lives. I made the control vials and the vials with the lowest dosage first as they are hypothesized to live the longest, I will then do the medium and high dosages and wait. As I wait for the flies to die, I will update my research paper to reflect my changed methodology because I adjusted the way I was administering the supplement, varying the dosage among three groups. My main complication at this point is time in that I will go slightly over the time allotted, however, it should not be an issue, as I will be able to prepare some of what I need, and whatever does not get done in class, I will complete over Spring Break, which will perfectly line me up for our presentations! After all of my trials are complete, I will complete a statistical analysis and determine the effectiveness of 7-Keto DHEA on metabolism in D. melanogaster.
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