This study investigated whether exogenous supplementation with reduced glutathione (GSH) increased kidney mitochondrial and cytosolic GSH levels in young and old female Lewis rats. The young rats were 3 months of age and old rats were 22 months old. The rats were divided into a young control group (n=8), an old control group (n=5), a young experimental group (n=7), and an old experimental group (n=7). Rats in the young and old control groups did not receive any treatment, while rats in both the young and old experimental groups were injected with GSH (250 mg/Kg of body weight) into the peritoneal cavity once a day for a week. At the end of the injection period, the rats were anesthetized and kidneys were harvested. The mitochondrial and cytosolic fractions were separated from rat cortex and medulla by differential centrifugation. GSH concentrations were measured using a spectrophotometric assay. Both mitochondrial and cytosolic GSH levels in kidneys from young and old female Lewis rats were significantly increased with GSH supplementation. The results indicate that kidneys from both young and old rats respond to exogenous dietary supplementation with GSH. / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only. / Department of Physiology and Health Science

Dietary supplements overall constitute a multibillion-dollar industry in the U.S. today. This dissertation investigates a heretofore poorly-documented aspect of the burgeoning dietary supplements industry: network marketing. Network marketing, exemplified by companies like Amway as well as a host of smaller, less well-known companies, operates within the so-called "grey economy." Hawai'i ranks second in the nation in the percentage of network marketing distributors relative to its population. Network marketing works at the grassroots level of existing social networks to promote and sell its products, making it the ideal setting in which to do social science research. Semistructured and structured interviews were conducted with members of three companies. Aside from gathering baseline data on products used, health conditions addressed by these products and the structure of each company, interviews and product promotional material were analyzed using text analysis. Results of this research show that while perceived efficacy of network-marketed products is an important motivator in becoming a product distributor, factors such as control over one's health, creation of a support community through shared efforts, and economic opportunity are also important. Finally, analysis of themes in product advertising simultaneously reflect as well as inform network marketers' beliefs and desires for autonomy in the spheres of finance, personal life, and health.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2008. / Title from title screen (site viewed Mar. 31, 2009). PDF text: ix, 168 p. : ill. ; 5 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3331442. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Baylor University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 100-109)

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Baylor University, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 122-138)

Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 62-66).

Thesis (M.Ed.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-66). Also available in print.

Thesis (M.F.C.S.)--Bowling Green State University, 2010. / Document formatted into pages; contains vi, 59 p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center; full text release delayed at author's request until 2006 Aug 16.

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references.