This week I conducted a CGRP secretion assay. It is believed
that calcitonin gene-relation peptide (CGRP) secretion is correlated with
sensitivity and inflammation. We are looking at whether treatment with ginger
or turmeric will affect secretion levels in CA-77 cells. This is done through a
rat enzyme immunoassay (EIA) kit, where we hope to see changes in CGRP
secretion among the different treatments we apply to each column of cells. To
perform the kit, three days are required, where I will plate cells onto a
96-well plate, treat them with varying concentrations of the spices, and then
stimulate CGRP secretion with potassium chloride. From there, I can collect the
secretions, dilute them, transfer them to another plate and apply a tracer
which will help to detect the varying levels of CGRP after the addition of
Ellman’s reagent. Finally, I take a plate reading to quantify the results, and
perform statistical analysis to view significant differences among treatments.
Next week we will look into a Calcium Imaging study, which
helps us to detect if these spices will have an effect on calcium channel
inhibition in PC-12 cells. More information to come on that study!
