左旋肉碱与降脂减肥

左旋肉碱是参与生物体新陈代谢的重要物质,具有多种生理功能。各国学者对左旋肉碱生理功能的研究主要集中在抗疲劳和降脂减肥方面。但通过文章检索发现,对于减肥方面的文章主要都是实验性研究,缺少综述类文章。鉴于此,本文对近年来左旋肉碱降脂减肥方面的临床实验进行综述,以便于后续研究。     

皮诺敛酸/左旋肉碱降低HepG2细胞脂质的最佳浓度配比研究

针对单一活性成分的减肥降脂效果较差,且容易出现耐药性等问题,本文筛选并优化了皮诺敛酸/左旋肉碱降低HepG2细胞脂质的最佳浓度配比,为皮诺敛酸降脂产品的开发提供基础数据。通过油酸诱导HepG2细胞成脂建立体外非酒精性脂肪肝模型。采用油红O染色法确定了皮诺敛酸/左旋肉碱降低HepG2细胞中脂滴的最佳浓度配比。实验结果表明0.5 mmol·L^-1油酸诱导HepG2细胞脂肪变性效果最佳,皮诺敛酸（PLA）最佳降脂浓度为6.25 μmol·L^-1,左旋肉碱（LC）最佳降脂浓度为250 μmol·L^-1,皮诺敛酸/左旋肉碱（PLA/LC）最佳降脂浓度配比为1：40（μmol·L^-1/μmol·L^-1）。皮诺敛酸/左旋肉碱复配物可以显著降低HepG2细胞脂质,具有用量少,协同作用效果突出的优点,因此皮诺敛酸/左旋肉碱复配物在开发降脂减肥产品中具有良好的应用前景。     

以“脂肪酸β-氧化”为例探讨案例法在生物化学教学中的应用

以"脂肪酸β-氧化"为例,探讨生物化学教学中案例法的应用。即在授课过程中,引入与课程内容密切相关的长期饥饿的动物案例,通过自制动画、左旋肉碱咖啡实物展示、课堂讨论及启发式教学等多种手段,清晰、生动地展示了脂肪酸β-氧化的授课内容,引导学生积极思考和讨论,激发了学生学习生物化学的兴趣。     

热激蛋白90与热激应答

热激蛋白90(heat shock protein 90,HSP90)作为机体重要的分子伴侣之一,主要是维持机体内环境的稳态.在机体遭受内外界刺激时,体内氧化-抗氧化平衡失调诱发机体热激应答,诱导HSP90高表达来抵御刺激对机体造成的损伤.     

肠道黏膜免疫与炎症小体的研究进展

肠道是机体消化器官,为机体生命活动提供所需要的营养。肠道免疫系统有独特的功能,在抵抗潜在病原体侵入机体过程中发挥至关重要的作用。炎症小体是机体天然免疫系统中重要的蛋白复合体感受器,参与病原体引起的宿主防御反应,并在维持肠道免疫稳态中发挥关键作用。本文综述了肠道黏膜免疫系统及炎症小体在肠道免疫中的作用。     

hepcidin、铁代谢与感染

hepcidin是一近期确认的具有抗茵活性的小肽,是铁代谢的关键调节因子之一。体内铁的平衡与机体免疫力密切相关,过量的铁会损伤机体免疫力,使机体易受需铁细茵感染。hepcidin下调血清铁的浓度,增强机体抵御需铁细茵的能力,发挥其辅助抗茵作用。     

复方中药制剂在寒冷诱导机体损伤中作用及其机制

目的:研究寒冷所诱导的机体损伤作用,明确寒冷引发机体损伤的部分机制以及预防性药物对机体处于寒冷环境中的保护作用。方法:通过低温试验、ATP检测、电镜观察等确定寒冷对机体造成的损伤;通过总抗氧化能力、CAT含量、谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶含量、SOD水平、MDA水平等的检测确定氧化应激在寒冷暴露对机体损伤中的作用及机制;并确证复方中药制剂在寒冷损伤氧化应激状态下对机体的保护作用。结果:1.急性-15±1℃寒冷环境暴露可引起机体内肝脏组织能量代谢障碍,ATP生成减少,肝细胞线粒体损伤,溶酶体增多等机体损伤的现象;2.寒冷应激可导致机体的总抗氧化能力、CAT显著减少,而氧化应激终产物之一的丙二醛(malondialdehyde,MDA)显著增多(说明肝脏组织出现明显的氧化应激过程),并且出现抗氧化能力下降。3.预先给予药物干预后,机体抗氧化能力显著增加。结论:1.寒冷可以诱导机体肝脏明显损伤。2.氧化应激是寒冷诱导机体损伤的关键机制之一。3.复方中药制剂可以增加机体在寒冷应激条件下的抗氧化能力,从而产生保护作用。     

自噬作用:机体抵御病原入侵的第2道防线

机体的固有免疫系统和获得性免疫系统可有效地抵御病原体的入侵,其中固有免疫系统的皮肤和黏膜屏障是机体抵御病原体入侵的第1道防线,由吞噬细胞、NK细胞等介导的吞噬和杀伤作用构成了机体固有免疫的第2道防线。最近自噬体及自噬现象的研究发现,自噬作用参与了机体对病原体入侵的免疫防御过程,是主要的机体抵御病原入侵的第2道防线。     

eLife:炎性对于机体组织再生或是一把“双刃剑”

正再生是机体生命所固有的宝贵财产,然而再生的潜力在不同物种间也是不相同的,鱼类和两栖类动物能够再生出机体附属物,比如四肢、尾部、鳍等;然而包括人类在内的哺乳动物却并不能够恢复损伤器官的原始形态和功能,因此阐明低等脊椎动物机体再生能力产生的分子机制对于研究人员开发新方法来恢复人类机体复杂器官的功能非常重要,当然如何恢复机体损伤器官的功能     

人类药物遗传学的若干进展

药理作用是药物与机体相互作用的综合表现,因此药物与机体双方的情况对药理作用都有影响。决定机体机能状态的因素很多,有些是生来具有的,如种属差异、先天性个体差异、性别等,有些则是后天的。机体对药物反应的个体差异,有二种型式:(1)“连续型变量分布”,表现为单相曲线,常是常态分布(Gauss分例数     

The development of carnitine synthesis from γ-butyrobetaine in the rat

The ability of the rat liver to synthesize camitine from γ-butyrobetaine increases from low values in the fetus to adult values on the 8th day after birth. The rate of synthesis of camitine is greater when determined in the high-speed supernatant than in the low-speed supernatant of the liver. No synthesis could be shown to occur in neonatal rat kidney or neonatal brown adipose tissue.     

Bacterial Overexpression of Putative Yeast Mitochondrial Transport Proteins

Thirty-two genes have been identified within the genome of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which putatively encode mitochondrial transport proteins. We have attempted to overexpress a subset of these genes, namely those which encode mitochondrial transporters of unknown function, and have succeeded in overexpressing 19 of these genes. The overexpressed proteins were then isolated and tested for five well-characterized reconstituted transport activities (i.e., the transport of citrate, dicarboxylates, pyruvate, camitine, and aspartate). Utilizing this approach, we have clearly identified the yeast mitochondrial dicarboxylate transport protein, as well as two additional lower-magnitude transport functions (i.e., tricarboxylate and dicarboxylate transport activities). The implications of these results and the considerations relevant to this approach are discussed.     

急性低氧暴露小鼠外周血代谢组变化分析

目的：探讨急性低氧对小鼠外周血代谢组的影响。方法：将14只小鼠随机分为正常组和低氧组。用基础饲料喂养2周后,将低氧组减压至6000m模拟高度停留8h,实验结束后,采集静脉血制备血浆待测。在核磁共振波谱仪进行^1H NMR检测,采用模式识别分析方法处理数据。结果：与正常组相比,低氧组乳酸含量明显增加,肉碱水平明显降低;脂类、丙氨酸、丙酮酸、谷氨酰胺、胆碱、牛磺酸和葡萄糖含量升高,缬氨酸、肛羟丁酸、谷氨酸、甘油、甘氨酸和丝氨酸含量下降。结论：急性低氧暴露使小鼠血浆碳水化合物、脂肪代谢和氨基酸代谢谱发生变化,表明低氧后能量代谢以及相关物质含量发生改变。     

Total acid soluble and insoluble carnitine levels in human brain tumors

Carnitine has two main functions, i.e., transporting long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondrial matrix for beta-oxidation to provide cellular energy and modulating the rise in intramitochondrial acyl-CoA/CoA ratio, which relieves the inhibition of many intramitochondrial enzymes involving glucose and amino acid catabolism. The present study examined the acid soluble carnitine (ASCAR) acid insoluble carnitine (AICAR) and total carnitine (TCAR) concentrations of 50 human brain tumor tissues and 11 normal brain tissues. The ASCAR levels significantly higher in gliomas and meningiomas than brain, however similar to brain in metastatic adenocarcinomas. AICAR levels were lower than brain in all tumors with the exception of a medullablastoma. TCAR levels were similar to brain in all tumor types. Decreased AICAR levels may be due to increased utilization of lipids or enhanced phospholipid and cholesterol synthesis which is need for increased membrane synthesis or formation of eicosanoids. Also decreased concentrations may be a reflection of camitine and its acylesters role in preserving the physiologic membrane structure function from oxidative damage.     

Single amino acid variation in barley 14-3-3 proteins leads to functional isoform specificity in the regulation of nitrate reductase

The highly conserved family of 14-3-3 proteins function in the regulation of a wide variety of cellular processes. The presence of multiple 14-3-3 isoforms and the diversity of cellular processes regulated by 14-3-3 suggest functional isoform specificity of 14-3-3 isoforms in the regulation of target proteins. Indeed, several studies observed differences in affinity and functionality of 14-3-3 isoforms. However, the structural variation by which isoform specificity is accomplished remains unclear. Because other reports suggest that specificity is found in differential expression and availability of 14-3-3 isoforms, we used the nitrate reductase (NR) model system to analyse the availability and functionality of the three barley 14-3-3 isoforms. We found that 14-3-3C is unavailable in dark harvested barley leaf extract and 14-3-3A is functionally not capable to efficiently inhibit NR activity, leaving 14-3-3B as the only characterized isoform able to regulate NR in barley. Further, using site directed mutagenesis, we identified a single amino acid variation (Gly versus Ser) in loop 8 of the 14-3-3 proteins that plays an important role in the observed isoform specificity. Mutating the Gly residue of 14-3-3A to the alternative residue, as found in 14-3-3B and 14-3-3C, turned it into a potent inhibitor of NR activity. Using surface plasmon resonance, we show that the ability of 14-3-3A and the mutated version to inhibit NR activity correlates well with their binding affinity for the 14-3-3 binding motif in the NR protein, indicating involvement of this residue in ligand discrimination. These results suggest that both the availability of 14-3-3 isoforms as well as binding affinity determine isoform-specific regulation of NR activity.     

ABA plays a central role in mediating the regulatory effects of nitrate on root branching in Arabidopsis

The formation of lateral roots (LR) is a major post-embryonic developmental event in plants. In Arabidopsis thaliana, LR development is inhibited by high concentrations of NO3(-). Here we present strong evidence that ABA plays an important role in mediating the effects of NO3(-) on LR formation. Firstly, the inhibitory effect of NO3(-) is significantly reduced in three ABA insensitive mutants, abi4-1, abi4-2 and abi5-1, but not in abi1-1, abi2-1 and abi3-1. Secondly, inhibition by NO3(-) is significantly reduced, but not completely abolished, in four ABA synthesis mutants, aba1-1, aba2-3, aba2-4 and aba3-2. These results indicate that there are two regulatory pathways mediating the inhibitory effects of NO3(-) in A. thaliana roots. One pathway is ABA-dependent and involves ABI4 and ABI5, whereas the second pathway is ABA-independent. In addition, ABA also plays a role in mediating the stimulation of LR elongation by local NO3(-) applications.     

14-3-3 Facilitates Ras-Dependent Raf-1 Activation In Vitro and In Vivo

14-3-3 proteins complex with many signaling molecules, including the Raf-1 kinase. However, the role of 14-3-3 in regulating Raf-1 activity is unclear. We show here that 14-3-3 is bound to Raf-1 in the cytosol but is totally displaced when Raf-1 is recruited to the plasma membrane by oncogenic mutant Ras, in vitro and in vivo. 14-3-3 is also displaced when Raf-1 is targeted to the plasma membrane. When serum-starved cells are stimulated with epidermal growth factor, some recruitment of 14-3-3 to the plasma membrane is evident, but 14-3-3 recruitment correlates with Raf-1 dissociation and inactivation, not with Raf-1 recruitment. In vivo, overexpression of 14-3-3 potentiates the specific activity of membrane-recruited Raf-1 without stably associating with the plasma membrane. In vitro, Raf-1 must be complexed with 14-3-3 for efficient recruitment and activation by oncogenic Ras. Recombinant 14-3-3 facilitates Raf-1 activation by membranes containing oncogenic Ras but reduces the amount of Raf-1 that associates with the membranes. These data demonstrate that the interaction of 14-3-3 with Raf-1 is permissive for recruitment and activation by Ras, that 14-3-3 is displaced upon membrane recruitment, and that 14-3-3 may recycle Raf-1 to the cytosol. A model that rationalizes many of the apparently discrepant observations on the role of 14-3-3 in Raf-1 activation is proposed.     

Functional identification of a novel 14-3-3 epsilon splicing variant suggests dimerization is not necessary for 14-3-3 epsilon to inhibit UV-induced apoptosis

14-3-3 proteins function as a dimer and have been identified to involve in diverse signaling pathways. Here we reported the identification of a novel splicing variant of human 14-3-3 epsilon (14-3-3 epsilon sv), which is derived from a novel exon 1′ insertion. The insertion contains a stop codon and leads to a truncated splicing variant of 14-3-3 epsilon. The splicing variant is translated from the exon 2 and results in the deletion of an N-terminal α-helix which is crucial for the dimerization. Therefore, the 14-3-3 epsilon sv could not form a dimer with 14-3-3 zeta. However, after UV irradiation 14-3-3 epsilon sv could also support cell survival, suggesting monomer of 14-3-3 epsilon is sufficient to protect cell from apoptosis.     

Involvement of H- and N-Ras isoforms in transforming growth factor-beta1-induced proliferation and in collagen and fibronectin synthesis

Transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) has a relevant role in the origin and maintenance of glomerulosclerosis and tubule-interstitial fibrosis. TGF-beta and Ras signaling pathways are closely related: TGF-beta1 overcomes Ras mitogenic effects and Ras counteracts TGF-beta signaling. Tubule-interstitial fibrosis is associated to increases in Ras, Erk, and Akt activation in a renal fibrosis model. We study the role of N- and H-Ras isoforms, and the involvement of the Ras effectors Erk and Akt, in TGF-beta1-mediated extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and proliferation, using embrionary fibroblasts from double knockout (KO) mice for H- and N-Ras (H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-)) isoforms and from heterozygote mice (H-ras(+/-)/N-ras(+/-)). ECM synthesis is increased in basal conditions in H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-) fibroblasts, this increase being higher after stimulation with TGF-beta1. TGF-beta1-induced fibroblast proliferation is smaller in H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-) than in H-ras(+/-)/N-ras(+/-) fibroblasts. Erk activation is decreased in H-ras(-/-)/N-ras(-/-) fibroblasts; inhibition of Erk activation reduces fibroblast proliferation. Akt activation is higher in double KO fibroblasts than in heterozygotes; inhibition of Akt activation also inhibits ECM synthesis. We suggest that H- and N-Ras isoforms downregulate ECM synthesis, and mediate proliferation, in part through MEK/Erk activation. PI3K-Akt pathway activation may be involved in the increase in ECM synthesis observed in the absence of H- and N-Ras.     

Observations on the ultrastructure of the copulatory organ of Archilopsis unipunctata (Fabricius, 1826) (Proseriata,Monocelididae)

The copulatory organ in adult specimens of Archilopsis unipunctata has been studied by transmission electron microscopy.This copulatory organ is of the conjuncta-duplex type with eversible cirrus. The seminal vesicle, lined with a nucleate epithelium, is surrounded by spirally arranged muscles. The fibres are enclosed in a sheath that is continuous with the septum of the bulbus and the basement lamina of the male canal epithelium. Distally to the seminal vesicle the bulbus is filled with the secretory cell-necks of the prostate glands. The male canal shows three different parts: seminal duct, ejaculatory duct and eversible cirrus. At the transition of seminal duct and ejaculatory duct two prostate ducts open into the lumen. The structure of the epithelium lining the different parts of the canal is described. The transition into the cirrus may be recognized by an abrupt change in the thickness, the electron density and the stratification in the basement lamina and by the disappearance of the epithelium absent indeed in the cirrus. The material found inside the cirrus-lumen is different according to the zone considered. The origin of this material and of the cirrus teeth is discussed.Abbreviations ab- apoptotic body - ba- bacteria - bb- basal bodies of cilia - bl- basement lamina - bw- body wall - c- cilia - cb- cell body - cgp- common genital porus - ci- cirrus - cip- cirrus plug - cl- lumen of cirrus - cm- circular muscles - cr- cytoplasmatic remnants - cs- cytoplasmatic sheets - ejd- ejaculatory duct - ep_ej- epithelium of ejaculatory duct - d- desmosomes - f- flagella of spermatozoa - fd- female duct - fp- female porus - gc- golgi complex - gl- glycogen particles - hd- hemidesmosomes - lm- longitudinal muscles - ly- lysosome-like body - m- muscles - m_b- muscles of the bulbus - m_c- muscles of the cirrus - m_c- muscles of the seminal vesicle - mi- mitochondria - ml- microvilli - ms- mesenchyme - n_sd- nuclei of the seminal duct - pd- prostate duct - pg- prostate glands - ri- ribosomes - s- septum - sb- secretory vesicle - sd- seminal duct - sp- spines - sv- seminal vesicle - v- vagina - vd- vas deferens