Metabolic effects of treadmill exercise training on the diabetic heart.

This study determined whether exercise training in rats would prevent the accumulation of lipids and depressed glucose utilization found in hearts from diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intravenous streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Trained diabetic rats were run on a treadmill for 60 min, 27 m/min, 10% grade, 6 days/wk for 10 wk. Training of diabetic rats had no effect on glycemic control but decreased plasma lipids. In vivo myocardial long-chain acylcarnitine, acyl-CoA, and high-energy phosphate levels were similar in sedentary control, sedentary diabetic, and trained diabetic groups. The levels of myocardial triacylglycerol were similar in sedentary control and diabetic rats but decreased in trained diabetic rats. Hearts were perfused with buffer containing diabetic concentrations of glucose (22 mM) and palmitate (1.2 mM). D-[U-14C] glucose oxidation rates (14CO2 production) were depressed in hearts from sedentary diabetic rats relative to sedentary control rats. Hearts from trained diabetic rats exhibited increased glucose oxidation relative to those of sedentary diabetic rats, but this improvement was below that of the sedentary control rats. [9,10(-3)H]palmitate oxidation rates (3H2O production) were identical in all three groups. These findings suggest that exercise training resulted in a partial normalization of myocardial glucose utilization in diabetic rats.     

Acute and chronic effects of SGLT2 blockade on glomerular and tubular function in the early diabetic rat

Tubuloglomerular feedback (TGF) stabilizes nephron function from minute to minute and adapts to different steady-state inputs to maintain this capability. Such adaptation inherently renders TGF less efficient at buffering long-term disturbances, but the magnitude of loss is unknown. We undertook the present study to measure the compromise between TGF and TGF adaptation in transition from acute to chronic decline in proximal reabsorption (Jprox). As a tool, we blocked proximal tubule sodium-glucose cotransport with the SGLT2 blocker dapagliflozin in hyperglycemic rats with early streptozotocin diabetes, a condition in which a large fraction of proximal fluid reabsorption owes to SGLT2. Dapagliflozin acutely reduced proximal reabsorption leading to a 70% increase in early distal chloride, a saturated TGF response, and a major reduction in single nephron glomerular filtration rate (SNGFR). Acute and chronic effects on Jprox were indistinguishable. Adaptations to 10-12 days of dapagiflozin included increased reabsorption by Henle's loop, which caused a partial relaxation in the increased tone exerted by TGF that could be explained without desensitization of TGF. In summary, TGF contributes to long-term fluid and salt balance by mediating a persistent decline in SNGFR as the kidney adapts to a sustained decrease in Jprox.     

岩藻多糖在2型糖尿病大鼠模型的作用及机制研究

目的:研究岩藻多糖(Fucoidan)对链脲佐菌素诱导实验性2型糖尿病大鼠的治疗作用.方法:在SD大鼠建立2型糖尿病动物模型,随机分为5组,分别用生理盐水、岩藻多糖高、中、低剂量(600mg/kg、400mg/kg、150mg/kg)、二甲双胍(200mg/kg)灌胃给药30天,同时采用正常SD大鼠为正常对照.测定各组大鼠体重、空腹血糖、血脂和血清胰岛素水平.结果:高、中剂量岩藻多糖能够明显降低模型动物空腹血糖水平,降低空腹胰岛素水平,改善胰岛素抵抗,降低血清胆固醇、甘油三酯、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量(P<0.05),升高高密度脂蛋白胆固醇含量(P<0.05),其作用效果与阳性对照药二甲双胍效果相当.低剂量岩藻多糖作用效果不明显.结论:岩藻多糖有降血糖、调节血脂紊乱的功能,时实验性2型糖尿病大鼠有治疗作用.     

Differential glucose-regulation of microRNAs in pancreatic islets of non-obese type 2 diabetes model Goto-Kakizaki rat

Background

The Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat is a well-studied non-obese spontaneous type 2 diabetes (T2D) animal model characterized by impaired glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in the pancreatic beta cells. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short regulatory RNAs involved in many fundamental biological processes. We aim to identify miRNAs that are differentially-expressed in the pancreatic islets of the GK rats and investigate both their short- and long term glucose-dependence during glucose-stimulatory conditions.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Global profiling of 348 miRNAs in the islets of GK rats and Wistar controls (females, 60 days, N = 6 for both sets) using locked nucleic acid (LNA)-based microarrays allowed for the clear separation of the two groups. Significant analysis of microarrays (SAM) identified 30 differentially-expressed miRNAs, 24 of which are predominantly upregulated in the GK rat islets. Monitoring of qPCR-validated miRNAs during GSIS experiments on isolated islets showed disparate expression trajectories between GK and controls indicating distinct short- and long-term glucose dependence. We specifically found expression of rno-miR-130a, rno-miR-132, rno-miR-212 and rno-miR-335 to be regulated by hyperglycaemia. The putative targets of upregulated miRNAs in the GK, filtered with glucose-regulated mRNAs, were found to be enriched for insulin-secretion genes known to be downregulated in T2D patients. Finally, the binding of rno-miR-335 to a fragment of the 3′UTR of one of known down-regulated exocytotic genes in GK islets, Stxbp1 was shown by luciferase assay.

Conclusions/Significance

The perturbed miRNA network found in the GK rat islets is indicative of a system-wide impairment in the regulation of genes important for the normal functions of pancreatic islets, particularly in processes involving insulin secretion during glucose stimulatory conditions. Our findings suggest that the reduced insulin secretion observed in the GK rat may be partly due to upregulated miRNA expression leading to decreased production of key proteins of the insulin exocytotic machinery.     

卡托普利对实验性2型糖尿病心肌病大鼠模型心脏保护作用

目的研究卡托普利对实验性2型糖尿病心肌病（T2DC）模型动物心脏保护作用和可能机制。方法以高糖脂饲料负荷30mg／kg剂量链脲佐菌素一次性腹腔注射建立T2DC大鼠模型,观察卡托普利45mg／kg灌胃给药6周对模型动物血糖和血脂水平,心脏功能和结构变化,心肌脂肪酸含量以及心肌组织过氧化物增殖体激活受体α（PPAR）和葡萄糖转运体4（GLUT4）基因表达等指标的影响。结果与T2DC大鼠模型比较,卡托普利给药后,左心室收缩压、左心室最大收缩速率、左心室最大舒张速率的绝对值和心输出量分别显著增加15％、77％、52％和54％（P〈0．05或P〈0．01）;室间隔厚度降低40％（P〈0．001）;血浆糖化血红蛋白和心肌组织游离脂肪酸含量分别降低31％和24％（P〈0．01,P〈0．05）;心肌组织PPARα基因表达显著降低（P〈0．05）,GLUT4基因表达显著增加（P〈0．05）。结论卡托普利可以显著改善T2DC模型动物心脏功能、抑制心室重构,其作用机制可能同调节与能量代谢相关基因表达、减轻心脏内脂肪积聚有关。     

Development and characterization of a novel rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus: the UC Davis type 2 diabetes mellitus UCD-T2DM rat

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is increasing, creating a need for T2DM animal models for the study of disease pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment. The purpose of this project was to develop a rat model of T2DM that more closely models the pathophysiology of T2DM in humans. The model was created by crossing obese Sprague-Dawley rats with insulin resistance resulting from polygenic adult-onset obesity with Zucker diabetic fatty-lean rats that have a defect in pancreatic beta-cell function but normal leptin signaling. We have characterized the model with respect to diabetes incidence; age of onset; longitudinal measurements of glucose, insulin, and lipids; and glucose tolerance. Longitudinal fasting glucose and insulin data demonstrated progressive hyperglycemia (with fasting and fed glucose concentrations >250 and >450 mg/dl, respectively) after onset along with hyperinsulinemia resulting from insulin resistance at onset followed by a progressive decline in circulating insulin concentrations, indicative of beta-cell decompensation. The incidence of diabetes in male and female rats was 92 and 43%, respectively, with an average age of onset of 6 mo in males and 9.5 mo in females. Results from intravenous glucose tolerance tests, pancreas immunohistochemistry, and islet insulin content further support a role for beta-cell dysfunction in the pathophysiology of T2DM in this model. Diabetic animals also exhibit glycosuria, polyuria, and hyperphagia. Thus diabetes in the UC Davis-T2DM rat is more similar to clinical T2DM in humans than in other existing rat models and provides a useful model for future studies of the pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of T2DM.     

Reversal of diabetic vasculopathy in a rat model of type 1 diabetes by opiorphin-related peptides

Diabetes results in a myriad of vascular complications, often referred to as diabetic vasculopathy, which encompasses both microvascular [erectile dysfunction (ED), retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy] and macrovascular complications (hypertension, coronary heart disease, and myocardial infarction). In diabetic animals and patients with ED, there is decreased opiorphin or opiorphin-related gene expression in corporal tissue. Both opiorphin and the rat homologous peptide sialorphin are found circulating in the plasma. In the present study, we investigated if diabetes induced changes in plasma sialorphin levels and if changes in these levels could modulate the biochemistry and physiology of vascular smooth muscle. We show that circulating sialorphin levels are reduced in a rat model of type I diabetes. Intracorporal injection of plasmids expressing sialorphin into diabetic rats restores sialorphin levels to those seen in the blood of nondiabetic animals and results in both improved erectile function and blood pressure. Sialorphin modulated the ability of C-type natriuretic peptide to relax both corporal and aortic smooth muscle strips and of bradykinin to regulate intracellular calcium levels in both corporal and aortic smooth muscle cells. We have previously shown that expression of genes encoding opiorphins is increased when erectile function is improved. Our findings thus suggest that by affecting circulating levels of opiorphin-related peptides, proper erectile function is not only an indicator but also a modulator of overall vascular health of a man.     

Amino acid metabolism in the Zucker diabetic fatty rat: effects of insulin resistance and of type 2 diabetes

We investigated amino acid metabolism in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF Gmi fa/fa) rat during the prediabetic insulin-resistant stage and the frank type 2 diabetic stage. Amino acids were measured in plasma, liver, and skeletal muscle, and the ratios of plasma/liver and plasma/skeletal muscle were calculated. At the insulin-resistant stage, the plasma concentrations of the gluconeogenic amino acids aspartate, serine, glutamine, glycine, and histidine were decreased in the ZDF Gmi fa/fa rats, whereas taurine, alpha-aminoadipic acid, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and the 3 branched-chain amino acids were significantly increased. At the diabetic stage, a larger number of gluconeogenic amino acids had decreased plasma concentrations. The 3 branched-chain amino acids had elevated plasma concentrations. In the liver and the skeletal muscles, concentrations of many of the gluconeogenic amino acids were lower at both stages, whereas the levels of 1 or all of the branched-chain amino acids were elevated. These changes in amino acid concentrations are similar to changes seen in type 1 diabetes. It is evident that insulin resistance alone is capable of bringing about many of the changes in amino acid metabolism observed in type 2 diabetes.     

Renal production of thromboxane and prostaglandins in a rat model of type 2 diabetes

In an investigation of the involvement of prostanoids in the pathogenesis of nephropathy in type 2 diabetes, we repeatedly measured the urinary excretion of prostanoids in both diabetic and healthy rats as the rats aged. Seven rats of the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty strain were used as rats with a model of type 2 diabetes and seven rats of the Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka strain were used as rats without diabetes. Thromboxane (TX) B2 and 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG) F1alpha, the amounts of which reflect renal production of TXA2 and PGI2, respectively, and PGE2 in urine collected in metabolic cages were assayed when rats were 14, 30, 46, and 54 weeks old. Plasma glucose and urinary protein excretion also were measured periodically. The mean plasma glucose concentration of the diabetic rats was higher than that of the healthy rats throughout the study. At 30 weeks and later, urinary protein excretion by the diabetic rats was greater than that of the healthy rats, and it increased with age. Urinary excretion of TXB2 by the diabetic rats was higher than that of the healthy rats at 14 weeks (52.4+/-23.5 vs. 27.0+/-2.6 ng/day; mean +/- SD, P = .015) and the difference continued to the end of the experiment. Urinary excretion of 6-keto-PGF1alpha by the diabetic rats was high at 14 weeks (52.3+/-12.8 vs. 26.9+/-4.6 ng/day; mean +/- SD, P<.001) but decreased with age and was the same as that of the healthy rats at 54 weeks. The urinary excretion of PGE2 by the two groups of rats was not significantly different. These results suggest that altered renal production of TXA2 and PGI2 is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy in rats with type 2 diabetes.     

Exosomes are the novel players involved in the beneficial effects of exercise on type 2 diabetes

Exosomes contain regulatory signals such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids which can be transferred to adjacent or remote cells to mediate cell-to-cell communication. Exercise is a positive lifestyle for metabolic health and a nonpharmacological treatment of insulin resistance and metabolic diseases. Moreover, exercise is a stressor that induces cellular responses including gene expression and exosome release in various types of cells. Exosomes can carry the characters of parent cells by their modified cargoes, representing novel mechanisms for the effects of exercise. Here, we present a review of exosomes as the perspective players in mediating exercise's beneficial impacts on type 2 diabetes (T2D).     

大鼠一次性力竭跑台运动模型的建立及动态评价

目的跑台急性运动疲劳动物模型的建立及评价。方法选取清洁级雄性Wistar大鼠24只(8周龄)作为实验对象。采用多级递增负荷跑台运动方案(跑台坡度为0°,负荷分为三级)建立一次性力竭跑台运动动物模型。尾静脉取血,分别测定大鼠在安静、运动30 min、运动90 min、力竭、恢复30 min、恢复90 min各时间点外周血葡萄糖(GLU)、乳酸(LD)、尿素(BU)、丙二醛(MDA)浓度和肌酸激酶(CK)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性。结果一次性力竭运动过程中大鼠行为能力和运动能力、血液代谢产物及能量物质呈现阶段性的动态变化。外周血LD、BU、MDA浓度及CK活性均较安静时显著性增高(P<0.01,P<0.05);GLU浓度、SOD活性较安静时显著降低(P<0.01,P<0.05)。各指标的变化特征说明大鼠已达到运动疲劳状态。结论建立了大鼠一次性力竭跑台运动模型,并客观动态评价了大鼠在运动疲劳产生、发展、恢复等不同阶段各指标的变化特点及规律。该模型可用于后续运动疲劳机制的相关研究。     

Genetic analysis for diabetes in a new rat model of nonobese type 2 diabetes,Spontaneously Diabetic Torii rat

The Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) rat has recently been established as a new rat model of nonobese type 2 diabetes. In this study, we characterized diabetic features in SDT rats, and performed quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis for glucose intolerance using 319 male (BNxSDT)xSDT backcrosses. Male SDT rats exhibited glucose intolerance at 20 weeks, and spontaneously developed diabetes with the incidence of 100% at 38 weeks, and glucose intolerance is well associated with the development of diabetes. The QTL analysis identified three highly significant QTLs (Gisdt1, Gisdt2, and Gisdt3) for glucose intolerance on rat chromosomes 1, 2, and X, respectively. The SDT allele for these QTLs significantly exacerbated glucose intolerance. Furthermore, synergistic interactions among these QTLs were detected. These findings indicate that diabetic features in SDT rats are inherited as polygenic traits and that SDT rats would provide insights into genetics of human type 2 diabetes.     

Mitochondrial quality control systems sustain brain mitochondrial bioenergetics in early stages of type 2 diabetes

Mitochondria have a crucial role in the supply of energy to the brain. Mitochondrial alterations can lead to detrimental consequences on the function of brain cells and are thought to have a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of several neurologic disorders. This study was aimed to evaluate mitochondrial function, fusion–fission and biogenesis and autophagy in brain cortex of 6-month-old Goto–Kakizaki (GK) rats, an animal model of nonobese type 2 diabetes (T2D). No statistically significant alterations were observed in mitochondrial respiratory chain and oxidative phosphorylation system. A significant decrease in the protein levels of OPA1, a protein that facilitates mitochondrial fusion, was observed in brain cortex of GK rats. Furthermore, a significant decrease in the protein levels of LC3-II and a significant increase in protein levels of mTOR phosphorylated at serine residue 2448 were observed in GK rats suggesting a suppression of autophagy in diabetic brain cortex. No significant alterations were observed in the parameters related to mitochondrial biogenesis. Altogether, these results demonstrate that during the early stages of T2D, brain mitochondrial function is maintained in part due to a delicate balance between mitochondrial fusion–fission and biogenesis and autophagy. However, future studies are warranted to evaluate the role of mitochondrial quality control pathways in late stages of T2D.     

2型糖尿病兼抑郁症大鼠模型的建立与评价

目的：用体重检测、空腹血糖检测、宏观表征、旷场实验行为学评价糖尿病兼抑郁症的大鼠模型。方法采用高脂饲料喂养加腹腔注射小剂量链脲佐菌素（ STZ）的方法制备2型糖尿病模型,在其基础上再用21 d慢性束缚的方法建立糖尿病兼抑郁症大鼠模型。将32只Wistar大鼠随机分为3组（ n ＝8）：正常组（N组）,2型糖尿病组（T组）,2型糖尿病兼抑郁症组（T＋D组）。2型糖尿病模型建立后,在慢性束缚的第0、7、14、21天检测大鼠的空腹血糖和体重,并对大鼠的宏观表征、饮食量、粪便、小便、精神状态进行观察,在第21天利用行为学设备分析软件,对大鼠旷场实验进行分析,检测大鼠的抑郁程度,验证评价2型糖尿病兼抑郁症大鼠模型是否成功。结果给予高脂饲料及腹腔注射STZ制备2型糖尿病模型后,T＋D组大鼠的毛发散乱,无光泽,活动迟缓,进食量、饮水量增加,粪便尿量增加,精神萎靡。第0、7、14、21天T组和T＋D组组大鼠体重均下降,与N组比较差异有显著性（P＜0.05;P＜0.01）,21d慢性束缚刺激后,T＋D组体重比T组大鼠体重增加较慢,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）;第0、7、14、21天,T组和T＋D组大鼠血糖均升高,与N组比较差异有显著性（ P＜0.01）,21 d慢性束缚刺激后,第21天T＋D组大鼠血糖比T组较高,差异有显著性（P＜0.01）,大鼠5 min内总移动距离有变化,与N组相比,T组差异没有显著性（P＞0.05）,T＋D组差异有显著性（P＜0.05）;与N组相比,T组大鼠5 min内移动速度减慢,差异有显著性（P＜0.05）,T＋D组差异有显著性（ P＜0.01）。结论利用高脂饲料喂养加腹腔注射小剂量STZ及21天慢性束缚的方法,可以成功复制2型糖尿病兼抑郁症大鼠模型,适用于后续研究。     

Reversal of reduced parvalbumin neurons in hippocampus and amygdala of Angelman syndrome model mice by chronic treatment of fluoxetine

Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by autism, intellectual disability and motor disturbances. The disease is primarily caused by the loss of function of maternally inherited UBE3A. Ube3a maternal‐deficient mice recapitulates many essential feature of AS. These AS mice have been shown to be under chronic stress and exhibits anxiety‐like behaviour because of defective glucocorticoid receptor signalling. Here, we demonstrate that chronic stress in these mice could lead to down‐regulation of parvalbumin‐positive interneurons in the hippocampus and basolateral amygdala from early post‐natal days. Down‐regulation of parvalbumin‐positive interneurons number could be because of decrease in the expression of parvalbumin in these neurons. We also find that treatment with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, results in restoration of impaired glucocorticoid signalling, elevated serum corticosterone level, parvalbumin‐positive interneurons and anxiety‐like behaviours. Our findings suggest that impaired glucocorticod signalling in hippocampus and amygdala of AS mice is critical for the decrease in parvalbumin interneurons number, emergence of anxiety and other behavioural deficits and highlights the importance of fluoxetine in the recovery of these abnormalities.

     

Differential expression of alpha2D-adrenoceptor and eNOS in aortas from early and later stages of diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki rats

The aim of the present study was to compare vascular dysfunction between the early (12 wk old) and later (36 wk old) stages of spontaneous diabetes in Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rats. We also evaluated the aortic expression of the alpha(2D)-adrenoceptor and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Vascular reactivity was assessed in thoracic aortas from age-matched control rats and 12- and 36-wk GK rats. Using RT-PCR and immunoblots, we also examined the changes in expression of the alpha(2D-)adrenoceptor and eNOS. In aortas from GK rats (vs. those from age-matched control rats): 1) the relaxation response to ACh was enhanced at 12 wk but decreased at 36 wk; 2) the relaxation response to sodium nitroprusside was decreased at both 12 and 36 wk, 3) norepinephrine (NE)-induced contractility was decreased at 12 wk but not at 36 wk, 4) the expressions of alpha(1B)- and alpha(1D)-adrenoceptors were unaffected, whereas those of alpha(2D)-adrenoceptor and eNOS mRNAs were increased at both 12 and 36 wk; and 5) NE- and ACh-stimulated NO(x) (nitrite and nitrate) levels were increased at 12 wk, although at 36 wk ACh-stimulated NO(x) was lower, whereas NE-stimulated NO(x) showed no change. These results clearly demonstrate that enhanced ACh-induced relaxation and impaired NE-induced contraction, due to NO overproduction via eNOS and increased alpha(2D)-adrenoceptor expression, occur in early-stage GK rats and that the impaired ACh-induced relaxation in later-stage GK rats is due to reductions in both NO production and NO responsiveness (but not in eNOS expression).     

2型糖尿病伴发高血压大鼠模型的建立

目的：建立一种2型糖尿病伴发高血压大鼠的模型。方法：65只SD雄性大鼠,随机分为正常对照组、1% NaCl饮水组、20 mg/kg STZ-1% NaCl组、30 mg/kg STZ-1% NaCl组、40 mg/kg STZ-1% NaCl组（n=13）。除正常对照组大鼠普通饮食喂养外,其余各组大鼠以高脂饲料4周+普通饲料结合1% NaCl饮水9周喂养。第4周末链脲霉素（STZ）组大鼠分别腹腔注射STZ （20 mg/kg、30 mg/kg、40 mg/kg）。实验周期13周。检测大鼠一般状况、体重、平均摄食量、血糖、血压、血脂和血浆胰岛素水平。结果：与正常对照组和1% NaCl饮水组比较,在STZ注射后仅30 mg/kg STZ-1% NaCl组、40 mg/kg STZ-1% NaCl组大鼠体重减少（P<0.05）、平均食量、空腹和随机血糖均增加（P<0.05）;第4周起血压显著升高（P<0.05）,收缩压均值达到150 mmHg进入高血压期,并在其后5周（实验结束前）稳定于150~170 mmHg;第9周血浆胰岛素水平升高（P<0.05）,血浆甘油三酯（TG）水平下降（P<0.05）。结论：高脂饲料喂养4周+腹腔注射STZ 30~40 mg/kg结合1% NaCl饮水喂养,能诱导出2型糖尿病伴发高血压的大鼠模型。     

Differential effects of kynurenine and tryptophan treatment on quinolinate immunoreactivity in rat lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs

Quinolinate is a tryptophan metabolite and an intermediary in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) synthesis in hepatocytes. Kynurenine is an upstream metabolite in the same biochemical pathway. Under normal physiological conditions, kynurenine is thought to be produced primarily in the liver as an NAD+ precursor. However, during immune stimulation or inflammation, numerous extrahepatic tissues convert systemic tryptophan to kynurenine, and its concentration subsequently rises dramatically in blood. The fate and role of extrahepatic kynurenine are uncertain. In order to begin addressing this question, the present study was performed to determine which cell types can produce quinolinate from either systemic tryptophan or kynurenine. By using highly specific antibodies to protein-coupled quinolinate, we found that intraperitoneal injections of tryptophan led to increased quinolinate immunoreactivity primarily in hepatocytes, with moderate increases in tissue macrophages and splenic follicles. In contrast, intraperitoneal injections of kynurenine did not result in any significant increase in hepatocyte quinolinate immunoreactivity, but rather led to dramatic increases in immunoreactivity in tissue macrophages, splenic white pulp, and thymic medulla. These findings suggest that hepatocytes do not make significant use of extracellular kynurenine for quinolinate or NAD+ synthesis, and that, instead, extrahepatic kynurenine is preferentially metabolized by immune cells throughout the body. The possible significance of the preferential metabolism of kynurenine by immune cells during an immune response is discussed.