Cinnamon improves insulin sensitivity and alters the body composition in an animal model of the metabolic syndrome

Polyphenols from cinnamon (CN) have been described recently as insulin sensitizers and antioxidants but their effects on the glucose/insulin system in vivo have not been totally investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of CN on insulin resistance and body composition, using an animal model of the metabolic syndrome, the high fat/high fructose (HF/HF) fed rat. Four groups of 22 male Wistar rats were fed for 12 weeks with:

(i)

(HF/HF) diet to induce insulin resistance,

(ii)

HF/HF diet containing 20 g cinnamon/kg of diet (HF/HF + CN),

(iii)

Control diet (C) and

(iv)

Control diet containing 20 g cinnamon/kg of diet (C + CN).

Data from hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps showed a significant decrease of the glucose infusion rates in rats fed the HF/HF diet. Addition of cinnamon to the HF/HF diet increased the glucose infusion rates to those of the control rats. The HF/HF diet induced a reduction in pancreas weight which was prevented in HF/HF + CN group (p < 0.01). Mesenteric white fat accumulation was observed in HF/HF rats vs. control rats (p < 0.01). This deleterious effect was alleviated when cinnamon was added to the diet. In summary, these results suggest that in animals fed a high fat/high fructose diet to induce insulin resistance, CN alters body composition in association with improved insulin sensitivity.     

Does thermoregulatory behaviour of green toads (Bufo viridis) constrain geographical range in the west? A comparison with the performance of syntopic natterjacks (Bufo calamita)

(1)

Behavioural regulation of body temperature (t_b) was monitored in 23 free-ranging Bufo calamita (Bc) and 17 syntopic Bufo viridis (Bv) at Urmitz (Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany) using temperature-sensitive transmitters implanted to the abdominal cavity.

(2)

In field t_b varied between +0.5 and 37.4 °C in Bc and between +0.6 and 33.7 °C in Bv. Maximum t_b of a Bc measured during an experimental trial was 38.8 °C.

(3)

Natterjack toads avoided environmental temperature extremes by burrowing actively into moist sandy soil (2-90 cm deep), whereas green toads hid exclusively in mammal burrows or pre-existing subterranean cavities. Shelter choice did not vary between summer and winter.

(4)

Average t_b of Bc exceeded significantly that of Bv during summer (26.7 °C vs. 24.7 °C), while the reverse was true during winter (4.2 °C vs. 7.2 °C). Following hibernation the body condition of Bv was significantly lower than that of Bc.

(5)

We conclude that green toads fail to colonise regions west of the Rhine valley because of a combination of winter temperatures impeding foraging trips for prolonged periods, the choice of warm hibernacula increasing metabolic costs and/or predation risk and reduced fecundity.

     

Forkhead transcription factors: key players in development and metabolism

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WHAT IS THE CORTEX?

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The Egg Cortex

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The Scope of This Review

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STORING INFORMATION AND BUILDING THE CORTEX DURING OOGENESIS

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Localizing Maternal Determinants in the Cortex

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Structuring and Positioning Information in the Cortex

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Cortical Polarity and Storage of Information in Other Oocytes

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The Cortex during Vitellogenesis

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MATURATION PREPARES THE CORTEX FOR FERTILIZATION

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Restructuring Cortical Endoplasmic Reticulum and Organelles during Maturation

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Restructuring the Cytoskeleton during Maturation

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Relocalization of Cortical mRNAs and Domains during Maturation

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The Cortex as the Site of Attachment and Fusion of Sperm and Egg

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FERTILIZATION TRANSFORMS THE EGG CORTEX

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Sperm-Induced Calcium Waves and Membranes

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Waves of Exocytosis and Endocytosis at Fertilization

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Fertilization-Induced Microfilament Reorganizations

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The Fertilized Egg Cortex

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WHAT THE CORTEX IS

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The Cortex as a Repository for Spatiotemporal Information

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The Questions That Remain

     

Diurnal, seasonal and sex variations in rectal temperature of African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse)

(1)

Rectal temperature (T_r) was measured in captive African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse), live-trapped in the Savannah during the harmattan, hot-dry and rainy seasons with the aim of determining diurnal, seasonal and sex patterns.

(2)

Mean (±SEM) T_r in the morning (37.16±0.04 °C) was lower (P<0.001) than the afternoon (37.49±0.03 °C) and evening (37.66±0.03 °C). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between afternoon and evening T_r during the harmattan and rainy seasons, but the difference was significant (P<0.001) during the hot-dry season. Overall T_r was higher (P<0.001) during the hot-dry (38.03±0.03 °C) than harmattan (37.17±0.03 °C) and rainy (37.21±0.03 °C) seasons. T_r of bucks was lower than that of does (P<0.0001) during the harmattan and rainy seasons, but sex difference during the hot-dry season was not significant (P>0.05).

(3)

Base-line T_r values for the African giant rats are shown for the first time. Season, time of day and sex influence fluctuations in T_rs of African giant rats, and should be considered during diagnostic and clinical evaluations.

     

Temperature influences upon vascular dynamics in cattle measured by Doppler ultrasonography

1.

Doppler-image ultrasonography was used to document vascular changes and blood flow rates of cattle (Bos taurus) under hot (32.7 °C) and cold (8.1 °C) conditions for 24 h.     

Temperature and hypoxia in ectothermic tetrapods

 

(1)

Interactions between temperature and hypoxia in ectothermic tetrapods (reptiles and amphibians) are reviewed.     

Body temperatures during three long-distance polar swims in water of 0–3 °C

1.

We report body temperature responses in a single individual to 3 swims of 1000 m or longer in ice-cold water (0–3 °C) during which he swam the normal crawl stroke with his face in the water whilst wearing only a swimming costume, swimming cap and goggles.     

A novel association of mGluR1a with the PDZ scaffold protein CAL modulates receptor activity

Metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 1a (mGluR1a) associates with the proteins mediating its receptor activity, suggesting a complex-controlled function of mGluR1a. Here, using glutathione-S-transferase pull-down, co-immnoprecipitation and immnoflurescence assays in vitro and in vivo, we have found CFTR-associated ligand (CAL) to be a novel binding partner of mGluR1a, through its PSD95/discslarge/ZO1homology domain. Deletion of mGluR1a-carboxyl terminus (CT) or mutation of Leu to Ala in the CT of mGluR1a reduces the association, indicating the essential binding region of mGluR1a for CAL. Functionally, the interaction of mGluR1a with CAL was shown to inhibit mGluR1a-mediated ERK1/2 activation, without an apparent effect, via the C-terminal-truncated receptor. These findings might provide a novel mechanism for the regulation of mGluR1a-mediated signaling through the interaction with CAL.

Structured summary

MINT-6797987, MINT-6798009:

NHERF-2 (uniprotkb:Q15599) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by proteinarray (MI:0089)

MINT-6798026, MINT-6798048, MINT-6798066:

mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) physically interacts (MI:0218) with CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) by pull down (MI:0096)

MINT-6797953, MINT-6797970:

NHERF-1 (uniprotkb:O14745) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by protein array (MI:0089)

MINT-6797935:

CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by protein array (MI:0089)

MINT-6798084:

CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) binds (MI:0407) to mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by filter binding (MI:0049)

MINT-6798134:

mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) physically interacts (MI:0218) with CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)

MINT-6798158:

CAL (uniprotkb:B4F775) physically interacts (MI:0218) with mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006)

MINT-6798233:

CAL (uniprotkb:Q9HD26) colocalizes (MI:0403) with mGluR1a (uniprotkb:Q9R0W0) by fluorescence microscopy (MI:0416)

     

Effect of the acute heat stress on the rat pituitary gland. Morphological and stereological study

1.

Morphological and stereological changes were examined in the pituitary gland of the rats exposed to heat stress (38 °C) for 60 min.     

Thermoregulation in the semi-aquatic yellow anaconda, Eunectes notaeus

1.

Various factors affect a reptile's capacity for thermoregulation and most studies have focussed on terrestrial species.

2.

We investigated the thermoregulatory abilities of the yellow anaconda (Eunectes notaeus) in terms of selected body temperature (T_sel), set-point range (T_set) and body posture in terrestrial and aquatic thermal mosaics.

3.

Yellow anacondas selected higher body temperatures (T_b) and have a narrower T_set in a terrestrial environment than in an aquatic one.

4.

Coiled body postures were most frequently observed and were generally associated with higher T_b.

     

Complex patterns of geographic variation in heat tolerance and Hsp70 expression levels in the common frog Rana temporaria

1.

We tested for geographical variation in heat tolerance and Hsp70 expression levels of Rana temporaria tadpoles along a 1500 km long latitudinal gradient in Sweden.     

Behavioural response of juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha during a sudden temperature increase and implications for survival

·

Juvenile Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha survival and behaviour were evaluated during a temperature increase from 8.8 to 23.2 °C.     

Heat tolerance and altitudinal distribution of a mountainous lizard, Takydromus hsuehshanensis, in Taiwan

1.

We investigated whether heat tolerance has a crucial impact on the altitudinal distribution of a high-altitude lizard, Takydromus hsuehshanensis (>1800 m altitude).     

Temperature changes of selected body’s surfaces of handball players in the course of training estimated by thermovision,and the study of the impact of physiological and morphological factors on the skin temperature

1.

The aim of this study was to assess the temperature changes in the selected body surfaces (upper extremities—arm and forearm) in response to directed 90 min physical exercise as well as to analyse the impact of physiological and morphological factors on the dynamics of temperature changes.     

Thermoregulatory and respiratory responses in asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects breathing cold and warm air during exercise in the cold

1.

The effects of whole-body exposure to ambient temperature of −15 °C on thermoregulatory and respiratory responses in asthmatic and nonasthmatic subjects were investigated. The subjects were exposed to inhalation of cold dry and warm humid air during 30 min submaximal exercise.     

The effect of muscularity on thermal responses,muscle performance,and dexterity during whole body exposure to 10 °C

1.

The study evaluated the effects of exposure to cold air (10 °C) on thermal responses, muscle performance and dexterity of muscular subjects and their matched lean counterparts.     

Effect of temperature on hatching and nest site selection in the Green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans (Araneae:Oxyopidae)

1.

Thirty-seven Peucetia viridans egg sacs were incubated at 15, 17.5, 20, 25, 30, 32.5 or 35 °C. Hatching time was inversely proportional to temperature, and no hatching occurred at the extremes (15, 17.5 and 35 °C).     

« Statut de Berger » des communautés atlasiques, néolithisées du Maghreb oriental, dès 7000 BP

Neolithization through karstic rocky territories from Eastern Maghreb is supported by a special form of pastoralism. Between 7000-5000 BP, a prominent sheep and goat animal husbandry represents a shepherd’ permanent objective, while domestic cattle seems to play a saving role. Aurès reaches allowed us to study a global shepherd living, initiated by small groups, labelled as Neolithic of Capsian Tradition, stricto sensu (NCT). A new approach focuses here on non local archaeological finds from the Capéletti cave, a residential key-site located on the slopes of the Khanguet Si Mohamed Tahar amphitheatre (1540m), gives the lead to explore a winter lowland transhumance behaviour, which was a yearly extension of a summer upland behaviour. Through synchronized data, selected among exotic cultural documents, such as polished stone axes and adzes; marine and ivory-ornaments; and lowland botanic remains from marshes, such as elements of a steppic and salted vegetation, trapped inside sheep fleece, new evidences emerged which were linked, then, with new data based on flocks evaluation as alive animals. This study gives precision on:

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the shepherd’s long term objective;

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the initial and natural animal husbandry which moved, through an empirical management, on an increasing and controlled sheep, goat and cattle breeding;

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the non local cultural goods broad-spectrum, coveted by the shepherds;

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the flock meat/animal goods, coveted by peddling nomadic people;

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the exchange act and its conventions;

•

how and when vanished epipaleolithic traditions of this NCT facies, through shepherds’ deliberate and progressive exchanges;

•

and how and when, outside farming process, might have appeared, on lowlands and hilly areas, a typical open countryside landscape, strictly linked with this ongoing pastoralism.

This first local Status of the Shepherd which was the main objective of this neolithization may have settled and spread out through Maghreb territories, an Atlasic Pastoral Society.     

Lizards in the slow lane: Thermal biology of chameleons

1.

Field body temperatures (T_b's) of Chamaeleo chamaeleon in southwestern Spain averaged 28 °C in October and 30 °C in June. Slopes of regressions of T_b on T_a (ambient temperature at perch height) indicated that individuals were able to maintain a preferred body temperature of about 30 °C in June but not in October.