Campest-5-en-3-one,an oxidized derivative of campesterol,activates PPARα, promotes energy consumption and reduces visceral fat deposition in rats

Dietary campest-5-en-3-one (campestenone), an oxidized derivative of campesterol, significantly reduced visceral fat weight and the concentration of triacylglycerol in serum and liver of rats. Dietary campestenone dramatically increased the activities and the mRNA expressions of mitochondrial and peroxisomal enzymes involved in β-oxidation in the liver. Campestenone activated human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α as determined using the novel GAL4 ligand-binding domain chimera assay system with coactivator coexpression. In contrast, dietary campestenone reduced the activities and the mRNA expressions of enzymes involved in fatty acid synthesis, except for the malic enzyme. Dietary campestenone decreased the sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) mRNA level. Energy expenditure was significantly higher in the feeding of campestenone in rats. Dietary campestenone reduced hepatic cholesterol concentration and increased fecal excretion of neutral steroids originated from cholesterol. Lymphatic absorption of cholesterol was reduced by the coadministration of campestenone in rats cannulated in the thoracic duct. These observations suggest a possibility that campestenone has an ability to prevent coronary heart disease by improving obesity and abnormality of lipid metabolism.     

Ultrastructural localization of hCG in the placenta and in testicular germ cell tumors

Human chorionic gonadotrophin(hCG)-producing cells in the human placenta and in testicular germ cell tumors have been investigated by ultrastructural immunohistochemistry using labeled Fab'fragments of anti-hCG-alpha and anti-hCG-beta. Most reaction products were demonstrated in the rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER) and perinuclear spaces of syncytiotrophoblastic giant cells ( STGC ) occurring in embryonal carcinomas and in syncytial cells observed in choriocarcinomas and in normal placenta. The rER of placental and choriocarcinomatous syncytial cells was highly developed and invariably showed a positive reaction. However, the rER of STGCs varied both with regard to its degree of development and its immunoreactivity with hCG. Localization of hCG in the Golgi apparatus and in cytoplasmic granules was indefinite. Mononuclear cells reacting positively with anti-hCG-alpha or -beta were also demonstrated. Cytotrophoblast-like cells which failed to react with anti-hCG-alpha or -beta were noted adjacent to sTGCs and the significance of these cells is discussed.