Depot-specific hormonal characteristics of subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue and their relation to the metabolic syndrome.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) imaged by computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is associated with the metabolic syndrome features, being morphologically and functionally different from subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Insulin effect is lower and catecholamine effect higher in visceral adipose tissue, with its metabolites and its secretions draining through portal system, partially at least, to the liver. Thus, visceral cells transfer and release fatty acids more extensively, have increased glucocorticoid and reduced thiazolidinedione responses, produce more angiotensinogen, interleukin-6 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, and secrete less leptin and adiponectin than SAT. Furthermore, there are regional differences in the intrinsic characteristics of the preadipocytes, with those of SAT presenting greater differentiation and fat cell gene expression but less apoptosis than that of VAT. All features contribute to the morbidity associated with increased VAT. To evaluate the relationship between VAT and components of the metabolic syndrome, 55 non-diabetic women, 11 lean (VAT < 68 cm 2) and 44 obese were studied. The obese with VAT within the normal range (VAT < or = 68 cm 2) had higher BMI, WHR, BP and resistance to FFA suppression during oGTT in comparison to the lean controls. The obese with VAT > 68 cm 2 compared to those with VAT < or = 68 cm 2 had similar body mass index (BMI) but significantly higher in vivo homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA IR ) results and triglycerides. By pooling all data, correlation analysis indicated that VAT contributes more to insulin resistance (HOMA IR ) than SAT does, but not when insulin-suppressed plasma free fatty acids during oral glucose tolerance test as an index of insulin resistance are taken into consideration.     

Age-related changes in the mitotic and metabolic characteristics of muscle-derived cells.

Age-related sarcopenia could partly result from cumulative repeated episodes of incomplete repair and regeneration. We hypothesized that mitotic and metabolic events associated with satellite cell activation and proliferation could be altered with aging. Muscle-derived cells (mdc) were isolated from gastrocnemius and quadriceps muscles of young (3 wk old), adult (9 mo old), and old (24 mo old) Sprague-Dawley male rats (n = 10/group). The mdc from young growing rats started to proliferate earlier compared with adult and old animals. Cell cycle duration was significantly reduced with aging from 36.5 +/- 3.2 to 28.0 +/- 2.2 h. However, the proportion of noncycling (G0 phase) and cycling (G1 + S + G2 + M phases) cultured mdc was statistically unchanged among the three age groups. Significantly lower increase in c-met and proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression were observed in cultured mdc of old rats upon serum stimulation. Major changes in the expression of citrate synthase, lactate dehydrogenase, proteasome, caspase 3, plasminogen activators (PAs), and matrix metalloproteinase 2-9 (MMP2-9) were observed upon serum stimulation, but no age-related difference was noted. However, when measured on crushed muscle extracts, PAs and MMP2-9 enzyme activities were significantly decreased with aging. Our results show that cellular and biochemical events associated with the control of mdc activation and proliferation occur with aging. These alterations may participate in the accumulation of repeated episodes of incomplete repair and regeneration throughout the life span, thus contributing to the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function with aging.     

Age-related changes in the serotonin content of the epiphysis of birds

Serotonin content of the epiphysis has been studied in 1-day chicks, 1-, 5-5 1/2-, 8-12- and 24-month hens. It was found that this content undergoes significant changes during life cycle of hens, being dependent on physiological activity of the gonads. The highest level of serotonin (16 micrograms/g) was observed in 8-12 months old hens which corresponds to the period of the most intensive activity of the gonads.     

Glucose turnover and metabolic and hormonal changes in ethanol-induced hypoglycaemia.

Infusion of 67 g ethanol over four hours in fasted, non-obese normal men (a) induced hypoglycaemia by inhibiting gluconeogenesis; (b) produced noticeable increases in blood lactate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and free fatty acid concentrations; (c) depressed plasma growth hormone concentrations, despite hypoglycaemia; and (d) raised plasma cortisol concentrations before significant hypoglycaemia occurred. These metabolic changes were explained by the reduction of redox state which accompanies ethanol oxidation. The pronounced changes in metabolic values recorded during this study suggested that the use of parenteral feeding regimens including ethanol needs to be reconsidered.     

Age-related relationships between muscle fat content and metabolic traits in growing rabbits

This study was aimed at ascribing muscle fat accretion in growing rabbits to changes in several extra-muscular and intra-muscular metabolic pathways. At 10 wk or 20 wk of age (n = 8 per group), tissue lipid content and metabolic indicators of nutrient anabolic or catabolic pathways were simultaneously assessed in the liver, perirenal fat, the heart and the Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle, together with plasma concentrations in energy-yielding metabolites. Lipid content significantly increased with age (P < or = 0.01) in the glycolytic LL muscle (+67%) and the oxidative heart (+30%). In the former muscle, it was statistically correlated (r2 = 0.68; P < 0.01) to the changes in the orientation of muscle metabolism towards an enhanced lipogenic capacity and a depressed capacity for fatty acid transport and nutrient oxidation, and to indications of lower availability in plasma glucose and triglycerides. In the heart, age-related fat accretion was positively associated (r2 = 0.48, P < 0.01) to intrinsic metabolic changes towards an enhanced lipogenic capacity, together with a lower availability in plasma glucose. Variables representative of cardiac catabolic capacity tended to be negatively correlated to fat content in the heart (r2 = 0.15, P = 0.07). In growing rabbits, muscle fat content variation was proven to result from a reciprocal balance between catabolic and anabolic fatty acid fluxes, rather than to be assigned to one specific energy metabolic pathway.     

Increased HVR in pregnancy: relationship to hormonal and metabolic changes

In prior studies at high altitude, we have found that pregnancy increases maternal hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR) but the factors responsible are unknown. Changes in metabolic rate and hormones that occur during pregnancy have previously been shown to influence HVR. We therefore sought to determine the contribution of metabolic rate and hormonal changes to the pregnancy-associated rise in HVR. Pregnancy increased HVR in each of 20 normal, low-altitude (1,600 m) residents. As measured by the shape parameter A, HVR at week 36 was 237 +/- 26 (SE) or twofold higher than the 124 +/- 13 value measured 3 mo postpartum (P less than 0.01) despite the presence of the potentially depressant effects of hypocapnia [change in alveolar partial pressure of CO2 (delta PACO2) = -4 +/- 1 mmHg] and alkalosis [change in arterial pH (delta pHa) = 0.02 +/- 0.01 U] during pregnancy. Sixty percent of the increase in HVR values had occurred by week 20 of gestation at which time O2 consumption (VO2) and CO2 production (VCO2) were unchanged relative to values measured postpartum. The remaining 40% rise in HVR paralleled increases in VO2 and VCO2, and further elevation in VO2 and VCO2 with moderate exercise produced an additional increase in HVR. Serum estradiol and progesterone levels increased with pregnancy, but levels did not correlate with HVR. The women reporting the greatest symptoms of dyspnea had higher HVR A values at week 36 than the least dyspneic women (285 +/- 28 vs. 178 +/- 34, respectively, P less than 0.05). We concluded that factors intrinsic to pregnancy in combination with increased metabolic rate raised HVR twofold with pregnancy and may have contributed to the often-reported symptoms of dyspnea in pregnant women.     

Age-related changes in the content of fibrous proteins in the rat tissues.

An attempt was made to establish a relationship between the content of elastin and collagen in the rat tissues during the process of aging. The content of collagen fractions and elastin in the rat liver, lung and skin, as well as the elastolytic activity of blood serum were determined. It was found that the concentration of elastin as well as the elastolytic activity of blood serum are increasing during the maturation of rats and the total collagen content is increasing too. After the animals reached the age from twelve to twenty four months--above mentioned values began to decrease. It is concluded that the changes in the content of the two fibrous proteins of the connective tissue depend on age.     

Bovine serum sialic acid: Age-related changes in type and content

• 1.1. The sialic acid content of newborn calf serum (4.8 μmol/ml) is approx. 3-fold higher than that of mature animals (1.4 μmol/ml) and decreases to 2.4 μmol/ml at 20 days of age. Colostrum-fed and colostrum-deprived calves have similar levels of sialic acid from birth to 14 days of age.
• 2.2. The high level of sialic acid in newborn calf serum is due predominantly to N-acetylneuraminic acid, since this sialic acid accounts for 93% of the total and since <5% of the sialic acid is O-acetylated.
• 3.3. Comparison of day 0 and day 20 serum by gel filtration and by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrates that the increase in sialic acid is associated with increased production and/or sialylation of components with MW of 45–60 kDa.
• 4.4. A high percentage (64%) of the sialic acid in newborn calf serum is detected with the lipid-linked sialic acid assay, relative to 20 day old (25%) or mature (18%) animals.
• 5.5. This indicates that the glycoproteins of newborn calf serum are more efficiently extracted under the conditions of this assay than glycoproteins of mature serum.

     

Postpartum,hormonal, and nonhormonal induction of maternal behavior in rats: Effects on T-maze retrieval of pups

It is known that the home-cage maternal behavior of rats which become maternal after daily pup exposure (sensitization) is almost indistinguishable from that of lactating mothers, but that sensitized and lactating rats can be distinguished by their pup-retrieval performance in a T-maze extension of the home cage. The present study explored this difference further. Postpartum mothers which could not suckle due to prior nipple removal (thelectomy) retrieved as well, if not better, than intact controls in the T-maze. Hormonal induction of maternal behavior (in ? 3 days) was carried out by hysterectomy-ovariectomy plus 100 μg/kg estradiol benzoate; the performance of these females was similar to that of the postpartum groups. In contrast, only a small percentage of the sensitized mothers retrieved in the T-maze, whether the latency to onset of their maternal behavior was long (4–10 days) or short (? 3 days). Thus, hormonal factors associated with pregnancy and/or parturition, but not suckling stimulation, may facilitate T-maze retrieval of pups. The possible ethological significance of the T-maze test as a measure of maternal responsiveness is discussed.     

Age-related changes in the intercellular substance of human hyalin and collagen-fiber cartilage tissue

The articular cartilage of the hip joint and the intervertebral disks (LIV and LV), obtained from 42 corpses without any signs of pathology in these tissues, have been investigated. Six age groups have been distinguished: 21-30, 31-40, 41-50, 51-60, 61-70, 71 years of age and older. After the topo-optic reactions have been get, double refraction of glycosamineglycans (GAG) and collagen is studied in the structure and orientational regularity is estimated in these macromolecules in the matrix. The peculiarities on distribution of the collagenous fiber fasciculi in the intercellular substance in the hyalin and collagen-fibrillar cartilaginous tissue are demonstrated at the areas and depending on the age. Correlations in qualitative and quantitative changes of the GAG and collagen with age are analysed; this gives certain possibilities to reveal signs of similarity and difference in morphogenesis of hyalin and collagen-fibrillar cartilage tissue. Basing on the comparative analysis performed concerning the GAG and collagen state in the age aspect, as well as taking into account the data of previously performed investigations, the collagenous carcass can be characterized as the most stable component of the intercellular substance of cartilages, possessing a great reserve of strength. Homokinesis of the cartilaginous tissue is performed at the expense of the GAG; this ensures a high ability of the cartilaginous tissue to adaptation. A hypothesis on the GAG role in realization of adaptive rearrangements of the cartilaginous matrix at the macromolecular level is put forward.     

Effect of hormonal status and metabolic changes of restricted ewes during late pregnancy on their fetal growth and development

This study investigated the effects of hormonal status and metabolic changes of restricted ewes during late pregnancy on the ovine fetus growth and development. One hundred Mongolian ewes, synchro- nized for oestrus and mated, were divided into three groups and offered 0.175 MJME·kgw-0.75·d-1 (Re- stricted Group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJME·kgw-0.75·d-1 (Restricted Group 2, RG2) and ad libitum access to feed (Control Group, CG) during their late pregnancy respectively. The results suggested that with the sup- ply of exogenous energy decreasing during late pregnancy, maternal body weight and net body weight loss in RG2 and RG1 were lower than those of CG (P<0.01). The insulin and IGF-1 concentrations of ewes in RG2 and RG1 tended to be lower than those of CG (P>0.05), but the GH concentrations in RG2 and RG1 were enhanced and there was significant difference between RG1 and CG on d 120 of gesta- tion (P<0.05). The glucose concentration of ewes in RG2 and RG1 was decreased throughout the feed restriction period, and the differences were observed between RG1 and CG on d 120 of gestation (P<0.05). In addition, the nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) and total amino acid (TAA) concentrations of ewes in RG2 tended to increase, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). However, the NEFA and FAA concentrations of ewes in RG1 were reduced from d 90 to d 120 of gestation, then enhanced from d 120 to d 140 of gestation. During the late pregnancy, with the supply of nutrition decreasing, the negatively physiological and biochemical maternal reactions to restriction became worse, which sig- nificantly reduced the average lamb birth weight and daily growth rate of fetus in RG2 (P<0.05) and RG1 (P<0.01).     

Effect of hormonal status and metabolic changes of restricted ewes during late pregnancy on their fetal growth and development

This study investigated the effects of hormonal status and metabolic changes of restricted ewes during late pregnancy on the ovine fetus growth and development. One hundred Mongolian ewes, synchronized for oestrus and mated, were divided into three groups and offered 0.175 MJME·kgw^−0.75·d⁻¹ (Restricted Group 1, RG1), 0.33 MJME·kgw^−0.75·d⁻¹ (Restricted Group 2, RG2) and ad libitum access to feed (Control Group, CG) during their late pregnancy respectively. The results suggested that with the supply of exogenous energy decreasing during late pregnancy, maternal body weight and net body weight loss in RG2 and RG1 were lower than those of CG (Ps0.01). The insulin and IGF-1 concentrations of ewes in RG2 and RG1 tended to be lower than those of CG (P>0.05), but the GH concentrations in RG2 and RG1 were enhanced and there was significant difference between RG1 and CG on d 120 of gestation (P<0.05). The glucose concentration of ewes in RG2 and RG1 was decreased throughout the feed restriction period, and the differences were observed between RG1 and CG on d 120 of gestation (P<0.05). In addition, the nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) and total amino acid (TAA) concentrations of ewes in RG2 tended to increase, but there was no significant difference (P>0.05). However, the NEFA and FAA concentrations of ewes in RG1 were reduced from d 90 to d 120 of gestation, then enhanced from d 120 to d 140 of gestation. During the late pregnancy, with the supply of nutrition decreasing, the negatively physiological and biochemical maternal reactions to restriction became worse, which significantly reduced the average lamb birth weight and daily growth rate of fetus in RG2 (P<0.05) and RG1 (P<0.01).     

Age-related changes in enzyme activities, protein content and lipid composition of rat kidney brush-border membrane

Age-related changes in enzyme activities, protein electrophoretic patterns and lipid composition of kidney-brush-border membranes were studied in 10-20- and 30-month-old male and female Wistar rats. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of membrane proteins revealed very little changes with increasing age, whether males or females were considered. The Km of three hydrolases - maltase, L-aminopeptidase and alkaline phosphatase - were not affected by age while the Vmax of maltase and alkaline phosphatase, but not of L-aminopeptidase, decreased from 10 to 30 months. The phospholipid to protein ratio which remained constant between 10 and 20 months, rose in both sexes from 20 to 30 months. In males, the cholesterol content of the membrane increased faster than that of phospholipid and the cholesterol over phospholipid ratio was then greater at 30 months than at 10 months, while in females this ratio remained unchanged in the course of aging. The fatty acid composition of the brush-border remained more or less constant with age in female rat whereas in the male, a 10% decrease in the proportion of arachidonic acid from 10 to 30 months was responsible for a lower unsaturation index.     

Periovulatory changes in ovarian prostaglandin formation and their hormonal control in the rat

The concentration of prostaglandins of the E-group (PGE) and F-group (PGF) and the activity of prostaglandin-synthetase in rat ovaries increased on the evening of the day of proestrus and reached a peak at 5.00 h on the following morning, i.e. about the time of ovulation. Enzyme activity and PG concentrations receded to basal levels by 10.00 h on the day of estrus. These changes were prevented when the proestrous gonadotropin surge was blocked by administration of nembutal, and could be restored by administration of either LH or of FSH freed of LH contamination. The spontaneous preovulatory rise in prostaglandin concentration was about 6-fold for PGF and 30-fold for PGE, compared with values observed during the remainder of the cycle, whereas the rise in prostaglandin synthetase activity was only about 1.7-fold. The LH effect on PG accumulation had a latency of 2–4 h, which argues for enzyme synthesis rather than activation of preformed enzyme as the mechanism responsible. The small magnitude of the change in enzymic activity suggests that LH may, in addition, augment the availability of PG precursors. The results are compatible with the concept that prostaglandins play a physiological role in the gonadotropin-induced process of follicular rupture.