Changes of serum adiponectin levels in murine experimental sparganosis

The weight gain phenomenon associated with sparganosis has been well documented and was first recognized in the 1960s. Many studies have been conducted regarding the plerocercoid growth factor in the larva of Spirometra mansoni. In the present study, we hypothesized that the weight gain may be affected by the adipocyte secreted hormones, i.e., adiponectin, which is secreted from the adipose tissues in case of tissue migrating parasitic infections. Specifically, we attempted to ascertain whether the serum levels of adiponectin change in murine sparganosis. However, serum adiponectin levels assayed by ELISA evidenced no significant changes after an experimental infection (P > 0.05). Finally, the weight gain phenomenon in mouse sparganosis is not associated with changes in adiponectin levels, and further investigations involving parasitic infection-induced weight gain remain necessary.     

Changes in serum influence the fatty acid composition of established cell lines

Summary The fatty acid composition of different kinds of commercially available serum used to supplement cell culture media differs widely. As compared with fetal bovine serum, horse and bovine calf serum have a very high content of linoleic acid (18:2) and are low in arachidonic acid (20:4). (Fatty acids are abbreviated as number of carbon atoms: number of double bonds). Swine serum contains substantial amounts of both 18:2 and 20:4. Only fetal bovine serum contains more than 1% docosahexaenoic acid (22:6). Considerable differences in fatty acid composition occur when cells are grown in media containing any of these different serum supplements. The 18:2 and 20:4 content of 3T3 mouse fibroblast phospholipids is highest when the medium contains horse serum, intermediate with bovine calf serum, and lowest with swine or fetal bovine serum. Likewise, the highest phospholipid 18:2 content in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) occurs when the medium contains horse serum. With MDCK cells, however, growth in swine serum produces the highest 20:4 content. The 3T3 cell phospholipids accumulate more than 1% 22:6 only when the medium contains fetal bovine serum, whereas in no case do the MDCK cell phospholipids accumulate appreciable amounts of 22:6. The fact that the cellular fattyacid composition is likely to change should be taken into account when changes are contemplated in the serum used to grow established cell lines. These studies were supported by Arteriosclerosis Specialized Center of Research Grant HL 14,230 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.     

Changes in the protein composition of rat spermatozoa during maturation in the epididymis

Spermatozoa from the testis and cauda epididymidis were solubilized by detergent treatment and electrophoresis on SDS polyacrylamide gels revealed that the relative amounts of 13 detergent-extractable proteins decreased during passage of spermatozoa through the epididymis, 6 increased, whilst the remainder showed little or no change. Lactoperoxidase-catalysed iodination of plasma membrane proteins showed that the components carrying most of the label in testicular spermatozoa had Mr values of 110 000, 94 000, 84 000, 55 000 and 42 000 whereas on cauda epididymal spermatozoa the Mr values were 47 000, 24 000, 17 000, 14 500 and 13 500. Substantial differences were also noted in the protein composition of rete testis fluid and cauda epididymal plasma. The results support the concept that there is a considerable reorganization of the molecular architecture of the plasma membrane of spermatozoa during maturation in the epididymis.     

Changes in the isoform composition of the cytoskeletal protein titn--adaptation process in hibernation

Changes in the isoform composition of the elastic protein titin from skeletal and cardiac muscles of hibernating ground squirrels were revealed for the first time. It was shown that, upon hibernation, the molecular mass of titin decreases and its functional properties change as compared with the active state of the animal. The physiological significance of the changes in titin isoform composition for the inhibition of muscle contractile activity upon hibernation is discussed in connection with similar changes during some cardiomyopathies.     

Embryogenetic features of the serum protein composition of chicken blood

Protein composition of the blood serum in chick embryos of two breeds and in their hybrids has been investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Significant changes in the proportion of protein components of pre-albumin, albumin and post-albumin zones during prenatal development of chicks were observed. These changes are alleviated in hybrid embryos. The decrease in protein content of post-albumin zone, which contains foetoproteins, takes place to the end of incubation. This decrease is less significant in hybrid chicks as compared to that in the original hen breeds.     

Changes in serum hormone and peptide levels in rats in experimental epilepsy

Serum levels of 7 hormones and neuropeptides were studied in the course of development of a generalized epileptic activity (EA) induced in rats by intraperitoneal administration of corasole (75 mg/kg), i.e. 30 s (latent period), 50-150 s, 5-10 min after epileptogenic administration. A significant increase in the levels of ACTH (5.2-fold), glucagon (1.8.-fold), angiotensin I and renin activity were shown to occur 90-180 s later. Further on in the course of EA the level of ACTH remained enhanced but the level of glucagon and renin-angiotensin activity returned to normal. The levels of cortisol, vasopressin and aldosterone were enhanced 2-3-fold 30 min later. The level of insulin 30 min later remained unchanged. The role of neuropeptides and hormones in the onset and suppression of EA is discussed.     

Changes in the serum composition of free-fatty acids during an intravenous glucose tolerance test

Recent studies suggest that measuring the free-fatty acids (FFA) during an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) may provide information about the metabolic associations between serum FFA and carbohydrate and insulin metabolism. We evaluated the FFA profile during an IVGTT and determined whether this test changes the composition and concentration of FFA. An IVGTT was given to 38 severely obese persons before and 7 months after undergoing bariatric surgery and also to 12 healthy, nonobese persons. The concentration and composition of the FFA were studied at different times during the test. The concentration of FFA fell significantly faster during the IVGTT in the controls and in the severely obese persons with normal-fasting glucose (NFG) than in the severely obese persons with impaired-fasting glucose (IFG) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (P < 0.05). Significant differences were found in the time to minimum serum concentrations of FFA (control = NFG < IFG < T2DM) (P < 0.001). These variables improved after bariatric surgery in the three groups. The percentage of monounsaturated and n-6 polyunsaturated FFA in the control subjects and in the obese persons, both before and after surgery, decreased significantly during the IVGTT. In conclusion, during an IVGTT, severely obese persons with IFG or T2DM experienced a lower fall in the FFA than the severely obese persons with NFG and the controls, becoming normal after bariatric surgery.     

Changes in the zein composition of protein bodies during maize endosperm development.

Zeins, the seed storage proteins of maize, are synthesized during endosperm development by membrane-bound polyribosomes and transported into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, where they assemble into protein bodies. To better understand the distribution of the various zeins throughout the endosperm, and within protein bodies, we used immunolocalization techniques with light and electron microscopy to study endosperm tissue at 14 days and 18 days after pollination. Protein bodies increase in size with distance from the aleurone layer of the developing endosperm; this reflects a process of cell maturation. The protein bodies within the subaleurone cell layer are the smallest and contain little or no alpha-zein; beta-zein and gamma-zein are distributed throughout these small protein bodies. The protein bodies in cells farther away from the aleurone layer are progressively larger, and immunostaining for alpha-zein occurs over locules in the central region of these protein bodies. In the interior of the largest protein bodies, the locules of alpha-zein are fused. Concomitant with the appearance of alpha-zein in the central regions of the protein bodies, most of the beta- and gamma-zeins become peripheral. These observations are consistent with a model in which specific zeins interact to assemble the storage proteins into a protein body.