Abstract
Oxidative stress occurs when reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate and damage cells, contributing to diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is associated with obesity and is one of the leading causes of death. Previous research has shown that human diets high in polyphenols were linked to a decrease in intrahepatic fat, a marker for obesity. Additionally, polyphenols have been studied individually on C. elegans to assess their protective effects when under oxidative or heat stress. In this study, we investigated how exposure to two polyphenols, genistein and daidzein, influenced stress resistance and behavior in C. elegans. The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans was used as a model organism due to many of its cellular pathways being conserved in humans and its short lifespan. Oxidative stress was assessed using hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) which generates ROS in cells. When ROS concentrations in the cell exceed its antioxidant capacity, it can be very damaging to the cell and lead to oxidative stress. A heat stress assay was used to assess survival under elevated temperature conditions. We studied the differences in survival between treatments of genistein, daidzein, genistein and daidzein combined, and the control of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). A choice assay was conducted to analyze if the nematodes showed a preference in polyphenol. These experiments aimed to understand how exposure to polyphenols impacted C. elegans under oxidative and heat stress. The results of the oxidative stress assay showed trends that when C. elegans were exposed to daidzein, there were some protective benefits, and the genistein treated nematodes exhibited the greatest protective effects. The results of the heat stress assay showed trends that combined treatment of genistein and daidzein provided the greatest protection, whereas with genistein alone resulted in the least protection. The results between the treatment groups were not found to be statistically significant for either assay, but differences in survival were shown. The implication of this study is that genistein and daidzein may show protective effects when under heat and oxidative stress in C. elegans.
Advisor
Strand, Stephanie
Department
Biology
Recommended Citation
Malnar, Coco M., "Dietary Isoflavones Alter Stress Resistance in C. elegans" (2026). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 13480.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/13480
Disciplines
Biology
Keywords
Biology, C. elegans
Publication Date
2026
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2026 Coco M. Malnar