Activation of glycolysis by zinc is diminished in hepatocytes from metallothionein-null mice

The influence of hepatic metallothionein (MT) and zinc (Zn) on glycolysis was investigated in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes prepared from MT-normal (+/+) and MT-null (−/−) mice. In MT +/+ mice, a close relationship was observed between the Zn concentration in the incubation medium (10–150 μM), increased MT levels in the cells, and increased glycolysis (accumulation of lactate + pyruvate) over 24 h, with significant effects seen at physiological levels of Zn (10–25 μM). Hepatocytes from MT −/− mice had significantly lower basal rates of glycolysis and demonstrated increased glycolysis only at Zn concentrations of 50 μM or greater. The lactate: pyruvate ratio was higher in the MT +/+ hepatocytes. The oxidation of endogenous fatty acid (accumulation of the ketone bodies, 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) was initially greater in the MT +/+ hepatocytes, although only MT −/− hepatocytes showed increased ketone body production in response to Zn. The 3-hydroxybutyrate: acetoacetate ratio was higher in the MT +/+ hepatocytes and increased with increasing Zn concentrations. Intracellular Zn accumulation was 60% greater in the MT +/+ hepatocytes, with approximately 80% of the extra Zn associated with MT. The results implicate MT-associated Zn rather than increased intracellular Zn per se in the regulation of hepatic carbohydrate metabolism.     

Flow cytometric analysis of circulating microvesicles derived from myocardial ischemic preconditioning and cardioprotection of ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Objective: To establish a flow cytometric method to detect the alteration of phenotypes and concentration of circulating microvesicles(MVs) from myocardial ischemic preconditioning(IPC) treated rats(IPC-MVs), and to investigate the effects of IPC-MVs on ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats. Methods: Myocardial IPC was elicited by three cycles of 5-min ischemia and 5-min reperfusion of the left anterior descending(LAD) coronary artery. Platelet-free plasma(PFP) was isolated through two steps of centrifugation at room temperature from the peripheral blood, and IPC-MVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation from PFP. PFP was incubated with anti-CD61, anti-CD144, anti-CD45 and anti-Erythroid Cells, and added 1, 2 μm latex beads to calibrate and absolutely count by flow cytometry. For functional research, I/R injury was induced by 30-min ischemia and 120-min reperfusion of LAD. IPC-MVs 7 mg/kg were infused via the femoral vein in myocardial I/R injured rats. Mean arterial blood pressure(MAP), heart rate(HR) and ST-segment of electrocardiogram(ECG) were monitored throughout the experiment. Changes of myocardial morphology were observed after hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The activity of plasma lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) was tested by Microplate Reader. Myocardial infarct size was measured by TTC staining. Results: Total IPC-MVs and different phenotypes, including platelet-derived MVs(PMVs), endothelial cell-derived MVs(EMVs), leucocyte-derived MVs(LMVs) and erythrocyte-derived MVs(RMVs) were all isolated which were identified membrane vesicles(1 μm) with corresponding antibody positive. The numbers of PMVs, EMVs and RMVs were significantly increased in circulation of IPC treated rats(P0.05, respectively). In addition, at the end of 120-min reperfusion in I/R injured rats, IPC-MVs markedly increased HR(P0.01), decreased ST-segment and LDH activity(P0.05, P0.01). The damage of myocardium was obviously alleviated and myocardial infarct size was significantly lowered after IPC-MVs treatment(P0.01). Conclusion: The method of flow cytometry was successfully established to detect the phenotypes and concentration alteration of IPC-MVs, including PMVs, EMVs, LMVs and RMVs. Furthermore, circulating IPC-MVs protected myocardium against I/R injury in rats.     

Dietary silicon and arginine affect mineral element composition of rat femur and vertebra

Both arginine and silicon affect collagen formation and bone mineralization. Thus, an experiment was designed to determine if dietary arginine would alter the effect of dietary silicon on bone mineralization and vice versa. Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to groups of 12 in a 2×2 factorially arranged experiment. Supplemented to a ground corn/casein basal diet containing 2.3 μg Si/g and adequate arginine were silicon as sodium metasilicate at 0 or 35 μg/g diet and arginine at 0 or 5 mg/g diet. The rats were fed ad libitum deionized water and their respective diets for 8 wk. Body weight, liver weight/body weight ratio, and plasma silicon were decreased, and plasma alkaline phosphatase activity was increased by silicon deprivation. Silicon deprivation also decreased femoral calcium, copper, potassium, and zinc concentrations, but increased the femoral manganese concentration. Arginine supplementation decreased femoral molybdenum concentration but increased the femoral manganese concentration. Vertebral concentrations of phosphorus, sodium, potassium, copper, manganese, and zinc were decreased by silicon deprivation. Arginine supplementation increased vertebral concentrations of sodium, potassium, manganese, zinc, and iron. The arginine effects were more marked in the silicon-deprived animals, especially in the vertebra. Germanium concentrations of the femur and vertebra were affected by an interaction between silicon and arginine; the concentrations were decreased by silicon deprivation in those animals not fed supplemental arginine. The change in germanium is consistent with a previous finding by us suggesting that this element may be physiologically important, especially as related to bone DNA concentrations. The femoral and vertebral mineral findings support the contention that silicon has a physiological role in bone formation and that arginine intake can affect that role. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Northern Plains Area is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, and all agency services are available without discrimination. Mention of a trademark or proprietary product does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.     

Excessive hepatic copper accumulation in jaundiced rats fed a high-copper diet

The response of copper metabolism to dietary copper challenge was investigated in jaundiced rats with elevated plasma concentrations of conjugated bilirubin as a result of impaired canicular transport of bilirubin glucuronides. Control and jaundiced rats were fed purified diets with either normal (64 μmol Cu/kg) or high (640 μmol Cu/kg) concentration of added copper. Copper loading produced a greater increase in hepatic copper concentrations in the jaundiced than in control rats. The greater dietary-copper-induced increase in hepatic copper in the jaundiced rats can be explained by the observed smaller rise in biliary copper excretion and a greater efficiency of dietary copper absorption. In individual rats, there was a positive relationship between hepatic copper concentrations and biliary copper concentrations. It is suggested that not the transport of copper from liver cells to bile but that from plasma to bile is diminished in the jaundiced rats. The elevated plasma copper concentrations in the jaundiced rats may support this suggestion.     

Effects of starvation on growth, survival, and body biochemical composition among different sizes of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of starvation on different sizes of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (0.66 ± 0.11, 2.12 ± 0.38, and 11.65 ± 0.84 mm in shell length, respectively) in the summer of 2008. Different size clams were starved for 7, 15, 30, 45, and 60 d, respectively, and followed by refeeding for 30 d. During the study, the water temperature ranged 26.2–28.4 °C, salinity 22–24‰, and pH 7.80–8.12. Compensatory growth occurred in the smallest size-group after 7 and 15 d of starvation, respectively. The point-of-no-return (PNR₅₀) was determined to be 18.7 d. However, no compensatory growth was noted in the medium size-group, and the PNR₅₀ for this group was 25.2 d. The complete compensatory growth was observed for the largest size-group following food depravation for 7 and 30 d, respectively. In the same group, over-compensatory growth occurred 15 d post-starvation. The PNR₅₀ for the largest size-group was 46.3 d. The survival rate of different groups decreased as the starvation time prolonged. To discuss the change in body biochemical composition of individuals in the process of starvation and refeeding, the biochemical composition of the largest group individuals at different stages was determined. There were no significant differences in moisture and ash concentrations of the largest size-group during starvation and refeeding (P > 0.05). The relative body protein content increased as the starvation period prolonged and the level returned to normal after refeeding. The lipid content of the clam at the end of starvation was significantly lower than the initial level (P < 0.05), and remained below the initial level at end of the refeeding period.     

Effects of starvation on growth, survival, and body biochemical composition among different sizes of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum

A study was conducted to investigate the impact of starvation on different sizes of Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum (0.66 ± 0.11, 2.12 ± 0.38, and 11.65 ± 0.84 mm in shell length, respectively) in the summer of 2008. Different size clams were starved for 7, 15, 30, 45, and 60 d, respectively, and followed by refeeding for 30 d. During the study, the water temperature ranged 26.2–28.4 °C, salinity 22–24‰, and pH 7.80–8.12. Compensatory growth occurred in the smallest size-group after 7 and 15 d of starvation, respectively. The point-of-no-return (PNR₅₀) was determined to be 18.7 d. However, no compensatory growth was noted in the medium size-group, and the PNR₅₀ for this group was 25.2 d. The complete compensatory growth was observed for the largest size-group following food depravation for 7 and 30 d, respectively. In the same group, over-compensatory growth occurred 15 d post-starvation. The PNR₅₀ for the largest size-group was 46.3 d. The survival rate of different groups decreased as the starvation time prolonged. To discuss the change in body biochemical composition of individuals in the process of starvation and refeeding, the biochemical composition of the largest group individuals at different stages was determined. There were no significant differences in moisture and ash concentrations of the largest size-group during starvation and refeeding (P > 0.05). The relative body protein content increased as the starvation period prolonged and the level returned to normal after refeeding. The lipid content of the clam at the end of starvation was significantly lower than the initial level (P < 0.05), and remained below the initial level at end of the refeeding period.     

Selective accumulations of aluminum in five human arteries

The aim of the present study was to determine variability of aluminum (Al) accumulation in human arteries and to observe the relationship between Al and five other elements (Ca, Fe, Mg, P, and Si) in the arteries. The Al contents in the thoracic aorta, basilar, coronary, femoral, and radial arteries of 26 human subjects were estimated by an inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometer and compared quantitatively to five elements. Al was detected in 88% of the cases in both the femoral and radial arteries, 73% in the coronary artery, 58% in the aorta, and 31% in the basilar artery. The average Al content was highest in the femoral artery (48.3 ± 15.0 μg/g dry weight) and lowest in the basilar artery (8.1 ± 3.6 μg/g). The Al had positive correlations with P, Ca, or Mg in both the aorta and femoral artery, and with Ca or P in the basilar artery. In the coronary artery, a correlation was found between Al and Si. No relationships were found between Al and each of the five elements in the radial artery. From these results, Al varied widely among the five arteries and accumulated more in the femoral and radial arteries but less in the basilar artery. These accumulations of Al were positively correlated with Ca or P in several arteries, but not sufficiently to explain the accumulation of Al. Further investigations are required to understand the mechanism of the variability of Al accumulation in the arteries.     

Association of different zinc concentrations combined with a fixed caffeine dose on plasma and tissue caffeine and zinc levels in the rat

Because caffeine and tissue levels of Zn are closely related, the objectives of this study were to determine the changes in plasma caffeine levels over a period of 5 h when different concentrations of Zn combined with a fixed concentration of caffeine were injected into the femoral vein of rats and to determine the relationship between tissue levels of caffeine and Zn at 5 h postinjection. Rats were divided into three groups: group 1, 220 μg caffeine; group 2,220 μg caffeine + 8 μg Zn/g body weight (BW); group 3, 220 μg caffeine +16 μg Zn/g BW. Blood from groups 1 and 3 was collected at 3 min, 30 min, 1h, 3h, and 5h to determine the pharmacokinetics of caffeine. All groups were killed at 5 h. Caffeine and Zn concentrations of the brain, kidney, heart, and liver of all groups were determined. The plasma-caffeine curve in group 3 showed a lower concentration at 3 min and a slower caffeine-elimination rate during the first 3 h. Brain and kidney caffeine levels remained constant in all groups, whereas caffeine levels were increased in the heart in group 2 and in the liver in group 3. Zn concentrations in the brain and kidney were lower in group 2 compared with groups 1 and 3 and higher in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. Zn concentration in the heart was the same among the three groups but was increased in the liver in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. Therefore, we concluded that caffeine combined with Zn affects caffeine pharmacokinetics. With caffeine intake, levels of Zn (16 μg/g BW) that are slightly higher than the daily requirements (12 μg/g BW) may prevent a reduction of Zn in tissue. In addition, caffeine’s effects on Zn concentration among organs are different.     

Dynamic changes of cardiovascular regulating factors in rats after aerobic exhaustive exercise

Objective To study the changes of cardiovascular regulating factors in rats during recovery of aerobic exhaustive exercise. Methods Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group, 1 h-exercise group, 3 h-exercise group, exhausted group, 2 h-recovery group and 12 h-recovery group. The rats were killed at corresponding times for each group after an 8-week-long treadmill training, and the levels of NO, El-, ANP and TXB2 in plasma were measured in each group. Results NO/ET ratio of 1 h-exercise group was significantly higher than that in control group （P〈0.01）, while it was significantly decreased in 3 h-exercise group and exhausted group （P〈0.05）. ANP contents in rat plasma were significantly higher in 3 h-exercise group, exhausted group and 2 h-recovery group than that in control group （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. The concentration of TXB2 in plasma was significantly increased in 3 h-exercise group, exhausted group and 2 h-recovery group （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Changes in cardiovascular regulating factors after exhaustive exercise may lead to deficiency of coronary circulation blood/oxygen supply, which may cause exercise- induced fatigue.     

Astaxanthin Accumulation in the Green Alga Haematococcus pluvialis： Effects of Cultivation Parameters

The green alga, Haematococcus pluvlalis Flotow is used as a source of the ketocarotenoid astaxanthin for application in fish aquaculture, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Ceils of the green alga were induced by the application of different light and starvation conditions to evaluate the effect in astaxanthin accumulate. The conditions used for the Induction were high light intensity （170 μmol·m^-2·s^-1）, iron starvation, sulfur starvation and phosphate starvation. The results show that stresses applied in culture, which interfere with cell division, trigger the accumulation of astaxanthin. Notably, sulfur starvation results in a massive accumulation of this commercially important carotenoid.     

沙门菌CWDMs脂代谢检测

采用毛地黄皂苷敏感试验和菌细胞胆固醇、甘油三脂及胆碱酯酶定性与定量分析法,检测伤寒杆菌和甲型副伤寒杆菌经L 型变异后形成的细胞壁缺陷突变株(CW DM )的脂类代谢活性,了解这些CW DM 变异的性质和探讨细菌细胞壁缺陷突变与细菌演变的关系。结果表明,沙门菌CW DM s 具有显著的胆固醇和甘油三脂代谢活性、对毛地黄皂苷高度敏感并且还具有与白色念珠菌相似的胆固醇和甘油三脂的含量,但未能检出胆碱酯酶活性。CW DM s返祖菌丧失了脂类代谢酶类和胞浆膜不含胆固醇,恢复了与其亲代细菌型相似的代谢特征。提示在沙门菌天然即存在有与脂类及胆固醇代谢相关的基因,细胞壁的缺陷导致这些脂类及胆固醇代谢基因活化,以致 CW DM s 能够表达固醇和甘油三脂代谢活性和胞浆膜含有胆固醇     

沙门菌CWDMs氨基酸代谢的检测

采用氨基氨利用生长试验和谷丙转氨酶（ＧＰＴ）、谷草转酶（ＧＯＴ）、乳酸脱氨酶（ＬＤＨ）、肌酸激酶（ＣＫ）、α－闳丁酸脱氢酶（α－ＨＢＤ）、γ－谷志肽酶（γ－ＧＴ）,酸性磷酸酶（ＡＣＰ）定性与定量分析法,检测伤ＣＷＤＭｓ变异的特点及其机制,探讨ＣＷＤＭｓ变异的性质及其与细胞壁缺陷突变的关系。结果表明,沙门菌ＣＷＤＭｓ变异的性质及其与细胞壁缺陷突变的关系。结果表明,沙门菌ＣＷＤＭｓ在仅含蛋氨酸或脯氨     

沙门菌CWDMs乳酸脱氢酶同功酶的观察

采用聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳法检测伤寒杆菌和甲型副伤寒杆菌的ＣＷＤＭｓ及其宁代细菌型和伤寒杆菌粗糙型的乳酸脱氢酶（ＬＤＨ）同功酶,以了解沙门菌ＣＷＤＭｓ生物氧化的特点和机制,探讨ＣＷＤＭｓ变异的性质。结果表明,伤寒杆菌和甲型副伤寒杆菌的细菌型及伤寒杆粗糙型在聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳后显示出相同的４种具有不同泳动速率的ＬＤＨ同功酶,但ＣＷＤＭｓ仅显示２种ＬＤＨ。ＣＷＤＭｓ的２种ＬＤＨ同功酶与其亲代细菌型及伤寒杆     

两种蚤的幼虫形态

关于蚤类幼虫形态的研究,进展比较缓慢,我国王敦清1956年首次描述7种蚤的幼虫形态以后,由柳支英,虞以新(1957),孙昌秀(1965),叶瑞玉(1982,1986),费荣中(1986)等学者先后共描述过约29种蚤的幼虫形态。到目前为止,我国已知蚤类幼虫形态约36种,隶属6科19属。本文描述未见报道的无棘鬃额蚤Frontopsylla aspiniformis Liu etWu(1960)和青海双蚤Amphipsylla qinghaiensis Ren et Ji(1979)两种蚤山幼虫形态。     

光照对蕨类植物配子体假根向重力性的影响

对８种蕨类植物配子体假根向重力性反应的研究结果表明,除卷柏Ｓｅｌａｇｉｎｅｌｌａ ｔａｍａｒｉｓｃｉｎａ Ｓｐｒｉｎｇ配子体假根无向重力性反应并且其生长方向与光照方向无关外,其它７种的配子体假根均有向重力性反应,并且假根的向重力性反应在配子体发育初期,因光照的方向不同而异,表现为负向光性。随着配子体发育至片状体阶段,光对其向重力性反应的影响逐渐减弱,而重力的影响增强。在蕨类植物配子体发育初期,光对     

中国鳐类脑颅的研究

作者解剖观察了33种,隶于4目、7亚目、15科、19属的中国鳐类脑颅的形态。研究结果认为:锯鳐目和鳐目是原始类群,它们均具吻软骨,其中圆犂头鳐科和团扇鳐科是特化类群。电鳐目亦具吻软骨,它们是特化和退化类群。在较高等的鲼目则无吻软骨。依据鳐类不同的分类阶元,其脑颅亦各具有不同的式型。