Respiratory Quotient Predicts Fat Mass Gain in Premenopausal Women

High respiratory quotient (RQ) has been associated with fat mass (FM) gain in some, but not all studies. Variability among results may reflect differences in the RQ variable measured (fasting vs. 24‐h) or may be due to differences in control for factors that affect RQ, such as diet, energy balance, circulating insulin, and insulin sensitivity. The objective of this study was to determine whether different RQ values (fasting, sleeping, nonsleeping, and 24‐h) would predict change in FM over 2 years in obesity‐prone women, controlling for diet and adjusting for energy balance, circulating insulin, and insulin sensitivity. Participants were 33 previously overweight premenopausal women. Fasting, sleeping, nonsleeping, and 24‐h RQ values were measured during controlled‐diet conditions by respiratory chamber calorimetry. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests were also performed to adjust for fasting insulin, acute insulin response to glucose, and insulin sensitivity. Over the following 2 years, changes in FM were tracked annually by dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry. High nonsleeping RQ (NSRQ) predicted 2‐year change in FM independently of energy balance, circulating insulin, and insulin sensitivity. This observation suggests that low postprandial fat oxidation may uniquely predispose obesity‐prone individuals to accrual of adipose tissue.     

Estimating cell specific oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production rates for mammalian cells in perfusion culture

We present robust methods for online estimation of cell specific oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production rates (q(O2) and q(CO2), respectively) during perfusion cultivation of mammalian cells. Perfusion system gas and liquid phase mass balance expressions for oxygen and carbon dioxide were used to estimate q(O2), q(CO2) and the respiratory quotient (RQ) for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in perfusion culture over 12 steady states with varying dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, and temperature set points. Under standard conditions (DO = 50%, pH = 6.8, T = 36.5°C), q(O2) and q(CO2) ranges were 5.14-5.77 and 5.31-6.36 pmol/cell day, respectively, resulting in RQ values of 0.98-1.14. Changes to DO had a slight reducing effect on respiration rates with q(O2) and q(CO2) values of 4.64 and 5.47, respectively, at DO = 20% and 4.57 and 5.12 at DO = 100%. Respiration rates were lower at low pH with q(O2) and q(CO2) values of 4.07 and 4.15 pmol/cell day at pH = 6.6 and 4.98 and 5.36 pmol/cell day at pH = 7. Temperature also impacted respiration rates with respective q(O2) and q(CO2) values of 3.97 and 4.02 pmol/cell day at 30.5°C and 5.53 and 6.25 pmol/cell day at 37.5°C. Despite these changes in q(O2) and q(CO2) values, the RQ values in this study ranged from 0.98 to 1.23 suggesting that RQ was close to unity. Real-time q(O2) and q(CO2) estimates obtained using the approach presented in this study provide additional quantitative information on cell physiology both during bioprocess development and commercial biotherapeutic manufacturing.     

Energy Metabolic Profile of Mice after Chronic Activation of Central NPY Y1, Y2, or Y5 Receptors**

Objective: Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36‐amino acid peptide with orexigenic properties, is expressed abundantly in the central nervous system and binds to several NPY receptor subtypes. This study examines the roles of the NPY Y1, Y2, and Y5 receptor(s) in energy homeostasis. Research Methods and Procedures: We administered intracerebroventricular NPY (3 μg/d) or selective peptide agonists for the Y1, Y2, and Y5 receptor subtypes to C57Bl/6 mice for 6 days by mini‐osmotic pumps to assess the role of each receptor subtype in NPY‐induced obesity. Energy expenditure (EE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were studied using indirect calorimetry. Adiposity was measured by DXA scanning and fat pad dissection. Insulin sensitivity was tested by whole‐blood glucose measurement after an insulin challenge. Results: Central administration of the selective Y1 agonist, Y5 agonist, or NPY for 6 days in mice significantly increased body weight, adiposity, and RQ, with significant hyperphagia in the Y5 agonist‐ and NPY‐treated groups but not in the Y1 agonist‐treated group. The NPY, Y1, or Y5 agonist‐treated mice had little change in total EE during ad libitum and pair‐feeding conditions. Conversely, selective activation of the Y2 receptor reduced feeding and resulted in a significant, but transient, weight loss. Discussion: Central activation of both Y1 and Y5 receptors increases RQ and adiposity, whereas only Y5 receptor activation reduces energy expended per energy ingested. Selective activation of Y2 autoreceptors leads to hypophagia and transient weight loss, with little effect on total EE. Our study indicates that all three NPY receptor subtypes may play a role in regulating energy homeostasis in mice.     

System of automated gas-exchange analysis for the investigation of metabolic processes.

Conventional gas-exchange instruments are confined to the measurement of O(2) consumption (VO(2)) and CO(2) production (VCO(2)) and are subject to a variety of errors. This handicaps the performance of these devices at inspired O(2) fraction (FI(O(2))) > 0.40 and limits their applicability to indirect calorimetry only. We describe a device based on the automation of the Douglas bag technique that is capable of making continuous gas-exchange measurements of multiple species over a broad range of experimental conditions. This system is validated by using a quantitative methanol-burning lung model modified to provide reproducible (13)CO(2) production. The average error for VO(2) and VCO(2) over the FI(O(2)) range of 0.21-0.8. is 2.4 and 0.8%, respectively. The instrument is capable of determining the differential atom% volume of known references of (13)CO(2) to within 3.4%. This device reduces the sources of error that thwart other instruments at FI(O(2)) > 0. 40 and demonstrates the capacity to explore other expressions of metabolic activity in exhaled gases related to the excretion of (13)CO(2).     

Direct animal calorimetry,the underused gold standard for quantifying the fire of life

Direct animal calorimetry, the gold standard method for quantifying animal heat production (HP), has been largely supplanted by respirometric indirect calorimetry owing to the relative ease and ready commercial availability of the latter technique. Direct calorimetry, however, can accurately quantify HP and thus metabolic rate (MR) in both metabolically normal and abnormal states, whereas respirometric indirect calorimetry relies on important assumptions that apparently have never been tested in animals with genetic or pharmacologically-induced alterations that dysregulate metabolic fuel partitioning and storage so as to promote obesity and/or diabetes. Contemporary obesity and diabetes research relies heavily on metabolically abnormal animals. Recent data implicating individual and group variation in the gut microbiome in obesity and diabetes raise important questions about transforming aerobic gas exchange into HP because 99% of gut bacteria are anaerobic and they outnumber eukaryotic cells in the body by ～ 10-fold. Recent credible work in non-standard laboratory animals documents substantial errors in respirometry-based estimates of HP. Accordingly, it seems obvious that new research employing simultaneous direct and indirect calorimetry (total calorimetry) will be essential to validate respirometric MR phenotyping in existing and future pharmacological and genetic models of obesity and diabetes. We also detail the use of total calorimetry with simultaneous core temperature assessment as a model for studying homeostatic control in a variety of experimental situations, including acute and chronic drug administration. Finally, we offer some tips on performing direct calorimetry, both singly and in combination with indirect calorimetry and core temperature assessment.     

Validation of oxygen consumption measurements during artificial ventilation

We describe a system for the absolute calibration of indirect calorimeters, under the conditions of artificial ventilation and increased inspired O2 concentration, in which butane, at a measured flow rate, is burned downstream of an artificial lung. One milliliter of butane requires 6.4 ml O2 for its combustion, and the respiratory quotient is 0.615. With the closed-circuit O2-replenishment method there was no significant systematic error in the measurement of either O2 consumption or CO2 output and a random error with a SD of 8.3 ml/min for O2 consumption and 6.3 ml/min for CO2 output. There were no significant differences in the errors with inspired O2 concentrations between 23.8 and 59.5% and O2 consumptions between 89 and 366 ml/min.     

达乌尔黄鼠入眠准备期的体温、代谢率及能量特征

贮脂类动物在冬眠前大量积累脂肪来准备冬眠,并在入眠时迅速降低体温和代谢率。为探究入眠准备期达乌尔黄鼠体温、代谢率、呼吸商及能量代谢的变化,将其入眠准备期分为育肥期、体重高峰期、育肥后期和冬眠前的试降期,使用植入式半导体温度记录元件iButton、开放式代谢仪和改进的代谢笼,监测其体温、代谢率及呼吸商和能量摄入的变化。结果显示:(1)达乌尔黄鼠体温在冬眠前13 - 34 d 开始下降,远早于冬眠但晚于体重高峰期;体重高峰期体温有降低的趋势,持续时间为1 - 3 d;育肥后期体温显著下降,体温日波动幅度增加。(2)体重高峰期的静止代谢率高于育肥期,育肥后期有降低的趋势,试降期最低。(3)呼吸商在体重高峰期先升高,之后迅速衰减;入眠准备期的能量摄入在体重达高峰期前达到最大值。结果表明,达乌尔黄鼠在入眠准备期,其体温和代谢率已开始降低,能源物质已开始转变;体重高峰期可能是达乌尔黄鼠入眠的一个转折点或启动入眠的开关。     

钙化作用对养殖长牡蛎及其附着生物呼吸熵的影响

呼吸熵(RQ)是动物生理及能量代谢的常用指标之一.在计算呼吸熵时,释放CO₂的量通常被直接应用.在具有钙化作用的海洋生物中,钙化会影响试验水体溶解无机碳(DIC)含量,如果被忽略可能会产生方法上的误差.本文通过呼吸瓶法对养殖长牡蛎及其3种附着生物(紫贻贝、玻璃海鞘和柄海鞘)呼吸熵与氧氮比(O/N)的测定,探讨水产动物呼吸熵测定中钙化作用的影响.结果表明: 长牡蛎与紫贻贝的钙化率分别为(56.37±14.85)和(17.95±7.21) μmol·g^-1·h^-1,并因此减少水体DIC(3.72±0.80)和(1.48±0.14) mg·L^-1,分别占到呼吸增加DIC的(60.9±7.6)%和(39.9±5.7)%.4种试验生物的呼吸熵分别为：长牡蛎1.38±0.19、紫贻贝1.18±0.11、玻璃海鞘1.11±0.05、柄海鞘1.32±0.19.除玻璃海鞘外,均与O/N的结果相符.而其中具有钙化作用的长牡蛎和紫贻贝校正前的呼吸熵仅为0.56±0.19和0.70±0.04,不符合O/N的测定值.表明生物钙化对水体中的DIC有明显地吸收固定作用,在呼吸熵的测定中应被准确计算在内.     

Reduction in metabolic heat production during exposure to radio-frequency radiation in the rat

The purpose of this study was to assess the ability of the rat to reduce metabolic rate when exposed to deep-penetrating radio-frequency (RF) radiation. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were maintained at an ambient temperature (Ta) of 10 degrees C and exposed to 600-MHz radiation while metabolic rate (MR) was measured by indirect calorimetry. RF radiation exposures were made in a waveguide-type system that permitted the continuous control of specific absorption rate (SAR). SAR's of 2-5 W/kg led to significant reductions in MR when averaged from 30 to 60 min after the initiation of RF radiation exposure. The total decrease in MR during RF radiation exposure accounted for approximately 37% of the total RF heat load. Exposure of another group of rats to the same SAR's at a Ta of 10 degrees C resulted in a significant elevation in colonic temperature. Thus, despite the decrease in MR, heat gain still exceeded heat loss during RF radiation exposure, with a resultant elevation in deep body temperature. In conclusion, in a cold environment the rat exposed to RF radiation decreases its MR. However, the response time and efficiency of the response is not adequate to prevent an increase in body temperature.     

Calibration of simultaneous measurements of photosynthetic carbon dioxide uptake and oxygen evolution in leaves

The stoichiometric ratio of O2 evolution to CO2 uptake during photosynthesis reveals information about reductive metabolism, including the reduction of alternative electron acceptors, such as nitrite and oxaloacetate. Recently we reported that in simultaneous measurements of CO2 uptake and O2 evolution in a sunflower leaf, O2 evolution changed by 7% more than CO2 uptake when light intensity was varied. Since the O2/CO2 exchange ratio is approximately 1, small differences are important. Thus, these gas exchange measurements need precise calibration. In this work, we describe a new calibration procedure for such simultaneous measurements, based on the changes of O2 concentration caused by the addition of pure CO2 or O2 into a flow of dry air (20.95% O2) through one and the same capillary. The relative decrease in O2 concentration during the addition of CO2 and the relative increase in O2 concentration during the addition of O2 allowed us to calibrate the CO2 and O2 scales of the measurement system with an error (relative standard deviation, RSD) of <1%. Measurements on a sunflower leaf resulted in an O2/CO2 ratio between 1.0 and 1.03 under different CO2 concentrations and light intensities, in the presence of an ambient O2 concentration of 20-50 micromol mol(-1). This shows that the percentage use of reductive power from photochemistry in synthesis of inorganic or organic matter other than CO2 assimilation in the C3 cycle is very low in mature leaves and, correspondingly, the reduction of alternative acceptors is a weak source of coupled ATP synthesis.     

Determination of the respiration quotient in mammalian cell culture in bicarbonate buffered media

The determination of the respiration quotient (RQ = CER/OUR) has not been used so far as a tool for understanding animal cell metabolism. This is due to problems in measuring the carbon dioxide evolution rate (CER) rather than the oxygen uptake rate (OUR). The determination of the CER is complicated by the use of bicarbonate in the medium. Using liquid and gas balances we have derived an equation for continuous culture to quantify the amount of CO(2) that comes from the bicarbonate in the feed. Under cell-free conditions, values predicted by this equation agree within 4% with the experimental results. In continuous culture using hybridoma cells, the CO(2) from the feed, as determined by an IR-gas analyzer, was found to represent a significant amount of the total measured CO(2) in the off-gas (50% in a suboptimal, and 30% in high-growth medium). Furthermore, the problem of CO(2) loss from the medium during medium preparation and storage was solved using both a theoretical and an experimental approach. RQ values in continuous culture were evaluated for two different growth media. Small but significant differences in RQ were measured, which were matched by differences in specific antibody rates and other metabolic quotients. In a medium with Primatone RL, an enzymatic hydrolysate of animal cell tissue that causes a more than twofold increase in cell density, the RQ was found to be 1.05, whereas in medium without Primatone RL (but containing amino acids equivalent in composition and concentration to Primatone RL) the RQ was found to be 0.97. We suggest the RQ to be a useful parameter for estimating the physiological state of cells. Its determination could be a suitable tool for both the on-line control of animal cell cultivations and the understanding of cell metabolism. (c) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Gas exchange and energy metabolism of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) embryo.

We measured oxygen consumption (V(O(2))) and carbon dioxide emission (V(CO(2))) rates, air-cell gas partial pressures of oxygen (P(A)O(2)) and CO(2) (P(A)CO(2)), eggshell water vapour conductance and energy content of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) egg, 'true hatchling' and residual yolk, and calculated RQ and total oxygen consumption (V(O(2)tot)) for ostrich eggs incubated at 36.5 degrees C and 25% relative humidity. The V(O(2)) pattern showed a drop of approximately 5% before internal pipping. V(O(2)) just prior to internal pipping agrees with allometric calculations. Despite the higher incubation temperature compared to other studies, and the resultant shorter incubation duration (42 days), V(O(2)tot) (91.7 l kg(-1)) was similar to a previously reported value. RQ values during the second half of incubation (approx. 0.68) were lower than expected for lipid catabolism. Prior to internal pipping, P(A)O(2) and P(A)CO(2) were 98 and 48.3 torr (13.1 and 6.4 kPa), respectively. The growth pattern of the ostrich embryo is different from the typical precocial pattern, showing a time delay in the rapid growth phase. As a result, the lowered overall energy expenditure for tissue maintenance, as compared to other species, is reflected in the low yolk utilization and high residual yolk fraction of the whole hatchling dry mass. These could also result from the relatively short incubation period of the ostrich egg, thereby evading desiccation by excess water loss.     

Longevity and fecundity of Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) on foliage grown under elevated carbon dioxide

Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide (CO(2)) have been increasing steadily over the last century. Plants grown under elevated CO(2) experience physiological changes that influence their suitability as food. Previous studies have found increased insect herbivory on plants grown under elevated CO(2). To determine effects of consuming foliage of soybean (Glycine max) grown under elevated CO(2) on adult survivorship and fecundity, Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica Newman) were fed for the duration of their adult lives leaves grown under elevated CO(2) (550 mumol/mol), under ambient atmosphere (370 mumol/mol), or grown under ambient atmosphere but supplemented with a solution of sugars. To determine effects of a diet of foliage grown under elevated ozone (O(3)), another anthropogenic gaseous pollutant, beetles in the laboratory were fed soybean leaves grown under elevated CO(2), elevated O(3), or a combination of both elevated gases. Leaf tissue was also analyzed for longevity-enhancing antioxidants, because increases in dietary antioxidants can increase lifespan. Lifespan of Japanese beetles was prolonged by 8-25% when fed foliage developed under elevated CO(2), but consuming foliage that had taken up sugars to approximately the same level as foliage grown under elevated CO(2) had no effect on fecundity or longevity. Females consuming elevated CO(2) foliage laid approximately twice as many eggs as females fed foliage grown under ambient conditions. Consuming foliage grown under elevated O(3) had no effect on fecundity. No significant differences in total antioxidant content of foliage from ambient and elevated CO(2) conditions were detected. Although the precise mechanism is unclear, by altering components of leaf chemistry other than sugar content, elevated CO(2) may increase populations of Japanese beetles and their impact on crop productivity.     

Alterations in hepatic mitochondrial compartment in a model of obesity and insulin resistance

The objective of this paper is to evaluate adaptations in hepatic mitochondrial protein mass, function and efficiency in a rat model of high-fat diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance that displays several correlates to human obesity. Adult male rats were fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks. Mitochondrial state 3 and state 4 respiratory capacities were measured in liver homogenate and isolated mitochondria by using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, flavin adenine dinucleotide and lipid substrates. Mitochondrial efficiency was evaluated by measuring proton leak kinetics. Mitochondrial mass was assessed by ultrastructural observations and citrate synthase (CS) activity measurements. Mitochondrial oxidative damage and antioxidant defence were also considered by measuring lipid peroxidation, aconitase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) specific activity. Whole body metabolic characteristics were obtained by measuring 24-h oxygen consumption (VO2), carbon dioxide production (VCO2), respiratory quotient (RQ) and nonprotein respiratory quotient (NPRQ), using indirect calorimetry with urinary nitrogen analysis. Whole body glucose homeostasis was assessed by measuring plasma insulin and glucose levels after a glucose load. Adult rats fed a high-fat diet for 7 weeks, exhibit not only obesity, insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, but also reduced respiratory capacity and increased oxidative stress in liver mitochondria. Our present results indicate that alterations in the mitochondrial compartment induced by a high-fat diet are associated with the development of insulin resistance and ectopic fat storage in the liver. Our results thus fit in with the emerging idea that mitochondrial dysfunction can led to the development of metabolic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.     

A new measurement technique reveals rapid post-illumination changes in the carbon isotope composition of leaf-respired CO2

We describe an open leaf gas exchange system coupled to a tunable diode laser (TDL) spectroscopy system enabling measurement of the leaf respiratory CO(2) flux and its associated carbon isotope composition (delta(13)C(Rl)) every 3 min. The precision of delta(13)C(Rl) measurement is comparable to that of traditional mass spectrometry techniques. delta(13)C(Rl) from castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) leaves tended to be positively related to the ratio of CO(2) produced to O(2) consumed [respiratory quotient (RQ)] after 24-48 h of prolonged darkness, in support of existing models. Further, the apparent fractionation between respiratory substrates and respired CO(2) within 1-8 h after the start of the dark period was similar to previous observations. In subsequent experiments, R. communis plants were grown under variable water availability to provide a range in delta(13)C of recently fixed carbohydrate. In leaves exposed to high light levels prior to the start of the dark period, CO(2) respired by leaves was up to 11 per thousand more enriched than phloem sap sugars within the first 10-15 min after plants had been moved from the light into the dark. The (13)C enrichment in respired CO(2) then decreased rapidly to within 3-7 per thousand of phloem sap after 30-60 min in the dark. This strong enrichment was not observed if light levels were low prior to the start of the dark period. Measurements of RQ confirmed that carbohydrates were the likely respiratory substrate for plants (RQ > 0.8) within the first 60 min after illumination. The strong (13)C enrichment that followed a high light-to-dark transition coincided with high respiration rates, suggesting that so-called light-enhanced dark respiration (LEDR) is fed by (13)C-enriched metabolites.     

不同氮素水平下二氧化碳加富对草莓叶片光抑制的影响

用便携式调制叶绿素荧光仪和光合仪研究了强光下不同供氮水平（12、4和0.4 mmol·L^-1）和不同CO₂浓度下（700和390 μl·L^-1）丰香草莓叶片的荧光参数及净光合速率的变化.结果表明,CO₂和氮素对草莓叶片光抑制有明显的互作效应.在富CO₂下,12 mmol·L^-1供氮水平的草莓叶片净光合速率升高了62.7%,4和0.4 mmol·L^-1供氮水平则分别降低了7.4%和21.3%;12 mmol·L^-1供氮水平的F_m和F_v/F_m在强光胁迫时降辐减小,暗恢复时F_m和F_v/F_m恢复程度提高,而4和0.4 mmol·L^-1供氮水平却相反.表明氮素供应不足时草莓叶片在富CO₂环境下光合作用出现适应性下调,光抑制增强.     

Stimulation of border cell production in response to increased carbon dioxide levels

Field soil atmospheres have higher CO(2) and lower O(2) concentrations compared with ambient atmosphere, but little is known about the impact of such conditions on root exudation patterns. We used altered levels of CO(2) and O(2) relative to ambient conditions to examine the influence of the atmosphere on the production of root border cells by pea (Pisum sativum) root tips. During germination, atmospheres with high CO(2) and low O(2) inhibited root development and border cell separation in pea seedlings. Later in development, the same atmospheric composition stimulated border cell separation without significantly influencing root growth. Increased CO(2), not low O(2), was responsible for the observed stimulation of border cell number. High CO(2) apparently can override endogenous signals that regulate the number of border cells released from pea roots into the rhizosphere. The same conditions that stimulated border cell production in pea had no such effect in alfalfa (Medicago sativa).     

Interactive Effects of Elevated CO2 and Ozone on Leaf Thermotolerance in Field-grown Glycine max

Humans are increasing atmospheric CO2, ground-level ozone (O3), and mean and acute high temperatures. Laboratory studies show that elevated CO2 can increase thermotolerance of photosynthesis in C3 plants. O3-related oxidative stress may offset benefits of elevated CO2 during heat-waves. We determined effects of elevated CO2 and O3 on leaf thermotolerance of field-grown Glycine max (soybean, C3). Photosynthetic electron transport (φet) was measured in attached leaves heated in situ and detached leaves heated under ambient CO2 and O3. Heating decreased φet, which O3 exacerbated. Elevated CO2 prevented O3-related decreases during heating, but only increased φet under ambient O3 in the field. Heating decreased chlorophyll and carotenoids, especially under elevated CO2. Neither CO2 nor O3 affected heat-shock proteins. Heating increased catalase (except in high O3) and CulZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), but not MnSOD; CO2 and O3 decreased catalase but neither SOD. Soluble carbohydrates were unaffected by heating, but increased in elevated CO2. Thus, protection of photosynthesis during heat stress by elevated CO2 occurs in field-grown soybean under ambient O3, as in the lab, and high CO2 limits heat damage under elevated O3, but this protection is likely from decreased photorespiration and stomatal conductance rather than production of heat-stress adaptations.     

Transgenic MSH overexpression attenuates the metabolic effects of a high-fat diet

To determine whether long-term melanocortinergic activation can attenuate the metabolic effects of a high fat diet, mice overexpressing an NH(2)-terminal POMC transgene that includes alpha- and gamma(3)-MSH were studied on either a 10% low-fat diet (LFD) or 45% high-fat diet (HFD). Weight gain was modestly reduced in transgenic (Tg-MSH) male and female mice vs. wild type (WT) on HFD (P < 0.05) but not LFD. Substantial reductions in body fat percentage were found in both male and female Tg-MSH mice on LFD (P < 0.05) and were more pronounced on HFD (P < 0.001). These changes occurred in the absence of significant feeding differences in most groups, consistent with effects of Tg-MSH on energy expenditure and partitioning. This is supported by indirect calorimetry studies demonstrating higher resting oxygen consumption and lower RQ in Tg-MSH mice on the HFD. Tg-MSH mice had lower fasting insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance on both diets. Histological and biochemical analyses revealed that hepatic fat accumulation was markedly reduced in Tg-MSH mice on the HFD. Tg-MSH also attenuated the increase in corticosterone induced by the HFD. Higher levels of Agrp mRNA, which might counteract effects of the transgene, were measured in Tg-MSH mice on LFD (P = 0.02) but not HFD. These data show that long-term melanocortin activation reduces body weight, adiposity, and hepatic fat accumulation and improves glucose metabolism, particularly in the setting of diet-induced obesity. Our results suggest that long-term melanocortinergic activation could serve as a potential strategy for the treatment of obesity and its deleterious metabolic consequences.     

Effects of elevated carbon dioxide and ozone on the phytochemistry of aspen and performance of an herbivore

The purpose of this study was to assess the independent and interactive effects of CO(2), O(3), and plant genotype on the foliar quality of a deciduous tree and the performance of a herbivorous insect. Two trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michaux) genotypes differing in response to CO(2) and O(3) were grown at the Aspen FACE (Free Air CO(2) Enrichment) site located in northern Wisconsin, USA. Trees were exposed to one of four atmospheric treatments: ambient air (control), elevated carbon dioxide (+CO(2); 560 microl/l), elevated ozone (+O(3); ambient x1.5), and elevated CO(2)+O(3). We measured the effects of CO(2) and O(3) on aspen phytochemistry and on performance of forest tent caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria Hübner) larvae. CO(2) and O(3) treatments influenced foliar quality for both genotypes, with the most notable effects being that elevated CO(2) reduced nitrogen and increased tremulacin levels, whereas elevated O(3) increased early season nitrogen and reduced tremulacin levels, relative to controls. With respect to insects, the +CO(2) treatment had little or no effect on larval performance. Larval performance improved in the +O(3) treatment, but this response was negated by the addition of elevated CO(2) (i.e., +CO(2)+O(3) treatment). We conclude that tent caterpillars will have the greatest impact on aspen under current CO(2) and high O(3) levels, due to increases in insect performance and decreases in tree growth, whereas tent caterpillars will have the least impact on aspen under high CO(2) and low O(3) levels, due to moderate changes in insect performance and increases in tree growth.