bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the night eating syndrome
Authors: Birketvedt Grethe S. , Sundsfjord Johan , Florholmen Jon R.
Published: February 2015

The typical neuroendocrine characteristics of the night eating syndrome have previously been described as changes in the circadian rhythm by an attenuation in the nocturnal rise of the plasma concentrations of melatonin and leptin and an increased circadian secretion of cortisol. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that night eaters have an overexpressed hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with an attenuated response to stress. Five female subjects with the night-eating syndrome and five sex-, age-, and weight-matched controls performed a 120-min corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) test (100 μg iv). Blood samples were drawn intravenously for measurements of the plasma concentrations of ACTH and cortisol. The results showed that, in night eaters compared with controls, the CRH-induced ACTH and cortisol response was significantly decreased to 47 and 71%, respectively. In conclusion, disturbances in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis with an attenuated ACTH and cortisol response to CRH were found in subjects with night-eating syndrome.
Leg and arm lactate and substrate kinetics during exercise
Authors: van Hall G. , Jensen-Urstad M. , Rosdahl H. , Holmberg H.-C. , Saltin B. , Calbet J. A. L.
Published: February 2015

To study the role of muscle mass and muscle activity on lactate and energy kinetics during exercise, whole body and limb lactate, glucose, and fatty acid fluxes were determined in six elite cross-country skiers during roller-skiing for 40 min with the diagonal stride (Continuous Arm + Leg) followed by 10 min of double poling and diagonal stride at 72–76% maximal O2 uptake. A high lactate appearance rate (Ra, 184 ± 17 μmol · kg−1 · min−1) but a low arterial lactate concentration (∼2.5 mmol/l) were observed during Continuous Arm + Leg despite a substantial net lactate release by the arm of ∼2.1 mmol/min, which was balanced by a similar net lactate uptake by the leg. Whole body and limb lactate oxidation during Continuous Arm + Leg was ∼45% at rest and ∼95% of disappearance rate and limb lactate uptake, respectively. Limb lactate kinetics changed multiple times when exercise mode was changed. Whole body glucose and glycerol turnover was unchanged during the different skiing modes; however, limb net glucose uptake changed severalfold. In conclusion, the arterial lactate concentration can be maintained at a relatively low level despite high lactate Ra during exercise with a large muscle mass because of the large capacity of active skeletal muscle to take up lactate, which is tightly correlated with lactate delivery. The limb lactate uptake during exercise is oxidized at rates far above resting oxygen consumption, implying that lactate uptake and subsequent oxidation are also dependent on an elevated metabolic rate. The relative contribution of whole body and limb lactate oxidation is between 20 and 30% of total carbohydrate oxidation at rest and during exercise under the various conditions. Skeletal muscle can change its limb net glucose uptake severalfold within minutes, causing a redistribution of the available glucose because whole body glucose turnover was unchanged.
l-Carnitinel-tartrate supplementation favorably affects markers of recovery from exercise stress
Authors: Volek Jeff S. , Kraemer William J. , Rubin Martyn R. , Gómez Ana L. , Ratamess Nicholas A. , Gaynor Paula
Published: February 2015

We examined the influence ofl-carnitine l-tartrate (LCLT) on markers of purine catabolism, free radical formation, and muscle tissue disruption after squat exercise. With the use of a balanced, crossover design (1 wk washout), 10 resistance-trained men consumed a placebo or LCLT supplement (2 g l-carnitine/day) for 3 wk before obtaining blood samples on six consecutive days (D1 to D6). Blood was also sampled before and after a squat protocol (5 sets, 15–20 repetitions) on D2. Muscle tissue disruption at the midthigh was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before exercise and on D3 and D6. Exercise-induced increases in plasma markers of purine catabolism (hypoxanthine, xanthine oxidase, and serum uric acid) and circulating cytosolic proteins (myoglobin, fatty acid-binding protein, and creatine kinase) were significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) attenuated by LCLT. Exercise-induced increases in plasma malondialdehyde returned to resting values sooner during LCLT compared with placebo. The amount of muscle disruption from MRI scans during LCLT was 41–45% of the placebo area. These data indicate that LCLT supplementation is effective in assisting recovery from high-repetition squat exercise.
Glandular regulation of interstitial diffusion: a model and simulation of a novel physiological mechanism
Authors: Petrasek Danny , Samtaney Ravi , Cohen Donald S.
Published: February 2015

In endocrine glands, vigorous and coordinated responses are often elicited by modest changes in the concentration of the agonist molecule. The mammalian parathyroid gland is a representative case. Small (5%) changes in serum calcium result in 10-fold (1,000%) changes in glandular parathyroid hormone (PTH) release. In vitro, single isolated cells are observed to secrete fewer hormones than cells residing within a connected group, suggesting that a network has emergent regulatory properties. In PTH-secreting tumors, however, the ability to respond quickly to changes in calcium is strongly damped. A unifying hypothesis that accounts for these phenomena is realized by extracellular modulation of calcium diffusivity. A theoretical model and computational experiments demonstrate qualitative agreement with published experimental results. Our results suggest that, in addition to the cellular mechanisms, endocrine glandular networks may have regulatory prowess at the level of interstitial transport.
n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent the defect of insulin receptor signaling in muscle
Authors: Taouis Mohammed , Dagou Carine , Ster Céline , Durand Georges , Pinault Michèle , Delarue Jacques
Published: February 2015

A high-fat diet containing polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA: n-3 or n-6) given for 4 wk to 5-wk-old male Wistar rats induced a clear hyperglycemia (10.4 ± 0.001 mmol/l for n-6 rats and 10.1 ± 0.001 for n-3 rats) and hyperinsulinemia (6.6 ± 0.8 ng/ml for n-6 rats and 6.4 ± 1.3 for n-3 rats), signs of insulin resistance. In liver, both diets (n-3 and n-6) significantly reduced insulin receptor (IR) number, IR and IR substrate (IRS)-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3′-kinase activity. In contrast, in leg muscle, IR density, as determined by Western blotting, was not affected, whereas IR and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation in response to insulin treatment was restored in animals fed with n-3 PUFA to normal; in n-6 PUFA, the phosphorylation was depressed, as evidenced by Western blot analysis using specific antibodies. In addition, PI 3′-kinase activity and GLUT-4 content in muscle were maintained at normal levels in rats fed with n-3 PUFA compared with rats fed a normal diet. In rats fed with n-6 PUFA, both PI 3′-kinase activity and GLUT-4 content were reduced. Furthermore, in adipose tissue and using RT-PCR, we show that both n-3 and n-6 PUFA led to slight or strong reductions in p85 expression, respectively, whereas GLUT-4 and leptin expression was depressed in n-6 rats. The expression was not affected in n-3 rats compared with control rats. In conclusion, a high-fat diet enriched in n-3 fatty acids maintained IR, IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and PI 3′-kinase activity and total GLUT-44 content in muscle but not in liver. A high-fat diet (n-3) partially altered the expression of p85 but not that of GLUT-4 and leptin mRNAs in adipose tissue.
Impairment of albumin and whole body postprandial protein synthesis in compensated liver cirrhosis
Authors: Tessari P. , Barazzoni R. , Kiwanuka E. , Davanzo G. , De Pergola G. , Orlando R. , Vettore M. , Zanetti M.
Published: February 2015

To investigate the anabolic effects of feeding in cirrhosis, we measured albumin fractional synthesis rate (FSR) and whole body protein synthesis in six nondiabetic patients with stable liver cirrhosis (three in the Child-Pugh classification Class A, three in Class B) and in seven normal control subjects, before and after administration of a 4-h mixed meal. Leucine tracer precursor-product relationships and whole body kinetics were employed at steady state. Basal levels of postabsorptive albumin concentration and FSR, whole body leucine rate of appearance, oxidation, and nonoxidative leucine disposal (NOLD, ≈protein synthesis) were similar in the two groups. However, after the meal, in the patients neither albumin FSR (from 8.5 ± 1.5 to 8.8 ± 1.8 %/day) nor NOLD (from 1.69 ± 0.22 to 1.55 ± 0.26 μmol · kg−1· min−1) changed ( P = nonsignificant vs. basal), whereas they increased in control subjects (albumin FSR: from 10.9 ± 1.5 to 15.9 ± 1.9 %/day, P < 0.002; NOLD: from 1.80 ± 0.14 to 2.10 ± 0.19 μmol · kg−1· min−1, P = 0.032). Thus mixed meal ingestion did not stimulate either albumin FSR or whole body protein synthesis in compensated liver cirrhosis. The mechanism(s) maintaining normoalbuminemia at this disease stage need to be further investigated.
Effect of IGF-I on FFA and glucose metabolism in control and type 2 diabetic subjects
Authors: Pratipanawatr Thongchai , Pratipanawatr Wilailak , Rosen Clifford , Berria Rachele , Bajaj Mandeep , Cusi Kenneth , Mandarino Lawrence , Kashyap Sangeta , Belfort Renata , DeFronzo Ralph A.
Published: February 2015

The effects of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and insulin on free fatty acid (FFA) and glucose metabolism were compared in eight control and eight type 2 diabetic subjects, who received a two-step euglycemic hyperinsulinemic (0.25 and 0.5 mU · kg−1· min−1) clamp and a two-step euglycemic IGF-I (26 and 52 pmol · kg−1· min−1) clamp with [3-3H]glucose, [1-14C]palmitate, and indirect calorimetry. The insulin and IGF-I infusion rates were chosen to augment glucose disposal (Rd) to a similar extent in control subjects. In type 2 diabetic subjects, stimulation of Rd(second clamp step) in response to both insulin and IGF-I was reduced by ∼40–50% compared with control subjects. In control subjects, insulin was more effective than IGF-I in suppressing endogenous glucose production (EGP) during both clamp steps. In type 2 diabetic subjects, insulin-mediated suppression of EGP was impaired, whereas EGP suppression by IGF-I was similar to that of controls. In both control and diabetic subjects, IGF-I-mediated suppression of plasma FFA concentration and inhibition of FFA turnover were markedly impaired compared with insulin ( P < 0.01–0.001). During the second IGF-I clamp step, suppression of plasma FFA concentration and FFA turnover was impaired in diabetic vs. control subjects ( P < 0.05–0.01). Conclusions: 1) IGF-I is less effective than insulin in suppressing EGP and FFA turnover; 2) insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic subjects also exhibit IGF-I resistance in skeletal muscle. However, suppression of EGP by IGF-I is not impaired in diabetic individuals, indicating normal hepatic sensitivity to IGF-I.
Increased muscle proteolysis after local trauma mainly reflects macrophage-associated lysosomal proteolysis
Authors: Farges Marie-Chantal , Balcerzak Denis , Fisher Brian D. , Attaix Didier , Béchet Daniel , Ferrara Marc , Baracos Vickie E.
Published: February 2015

Rat gastrocnemius showed increased protein degradation (+75–115%) at 48 h after traumatic injury. Injured muscle showed increased cathepsin B activity (+327%) and mRNA encoding cathepsin B (+670%), cathepsin L (+298%), cathepsin H (+159%), and cathepsin C (+268%). In in situ hybridization, cathepsin B mRNA localized to the mononuclear cell infiltrate in injured muscle, and only background levels of hybridization were observed either over muscle cells in injured tissue or in uninjured muscle. Immunogold/electron microscopy showed specific staining for cathepsin B only in lysosome-like structures in cells of the mononuclear cell infiltrate in injured muscle. Muscle cells were uniformly negative in the immunocytochemistry. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (granulocyte-macrophage gelatinase) mRNA and activity were not present in uninjured muscle but were expressed after trauma. There was no activation of the ATP-ubiquitin-proteasome-dependent proteolytic pathway in injured muscle, by contrast to diverse forms of muscle wasting where the activity of this system and the expression of genes encoding ubiquitin and proteasome elements rise. These results suggest that proteolytic systems of the muscle cells remain unstimulated after local injury and that lysosomal enzymes of the inflammatory infiltrated cells are likely to be the major participant in protein catabolism associated with local trauma.
Ligand-specific regulation of proteasome-mediated proteolysis of estrogen receptor-α
Authors: Preisler-Mashek Mara T. , Solodin Natalia , Stark Bethany L. , Tyriver Michael K. , Alarid Elaine T.
Published: February 2015

Proteasome-mediated proteolysis modulates the cellular concentration of estrogen receptor-α (ERα) and is induced by treatment of cells with 17β-estradiol. Herein, we show that multiple receptor agonists, including 17α-estradiol and estriol as well as the antagonist ICI-182780, stimulate proteasome-dependent proteolysis of ERα in a process that requires ligand binding to the receptor. Proteolysis of receptor depends on ligand concentration, and there exists a direct correlation between ligand-binding affinity and the half-maximal dose of ligand required to stimulate receptor degradation. Furthermore, introduction of a point mutation into the receptor ligand-binding pocket yields a stable receptor resistant to proteolysis. Interestingly, although all ligands stimulate receptor degradation, the extent to which overall ER levels are affected varies with each ligand and is not related to ligand-binding affinity or activation of transcription. These results demonstrate ligand-specific regulation of ERα proteolysis, and they introduce the concept that cellular receptor concentration is governed not only at the level of induction of proteolysis but also by the efficiency with which the receptor is degraded.
Effects of an oral androgen on muscle and metabolism in older, community-dwelling men
Authors: Schroeder E. Todd , Singh Atam , Bhasin Shalender , Storer Thomas W. , Azen Colleen , Davidson Tina , Martinez Carmen , Sinha-Hikim Indrani , Jaque S. Victoria , Terk Michael , Sattler Fred R.
Published: February 2015

To determine whether oxymetholone increases lean body mass (LBM) and skeletal muscle strength in older persons, 31 men 65–80 yr of age were randomized to placebo ( group 1) or 50 mg ( group 2) or 100 mg ( group 3) daily for 12 wk. For the three groups, total LBM increased by 0.0 ± 0.6, 3.3 ± 1.2 ( P < 0.001), and 4.2 ± 2.4 kg ( P < 0.001), respectively. Trunk fat decreased by 0.2 ± 0.4, 1.7 ± 1.0 ( P = 0.018), and 2.2 ± 0.9 kg ( P= 0.005) in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Relative increases in 1-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength for biaxial chest press of 8.2 ± 9.2 and 13.9 ± 8.1% in the two active treatment groups were significantly different from the change (−0.8 ± 4.3%) for the placebo group ( P < 0.03). For lat pull-down, 1-RM changed by −0.6 ± 8.3, 8.8 ± 15.1, and 18.4 ± 21.0% for the groups, respectively (1-way ANOVA, P = 0.019). The pattern of changes among the groups for LBM and upper-body strength suggested that changes might be related to dose. Alanine aminotransferase increased by 72 ± 67 U/l in group 3 ( P < 0.001), and HDL-cholesterol decreased by −19 ± 9 and −23 ± 18 mg/dl in groups 2 and 3, respectively ( P = 0.04 and P = 0.008). Thus oxymetholone improved LBM and maximal voluntary muscle strength and decreased fat mass in older men.
Vascular recruitment in skeletal muscle during exercise and hyperinsulinemia assessed by contrast ultrasound
Authors: Dawson Dana , Vincent Michelle A. , Barrett Eugene J. , Kaul Sanjiv , Clark Andrew , Leong-Poi Howard , Lindner Jonathan R.
Published: February 2015

The purpose of this study was to noninvasively quantify the effects of insulin on capillary blood volume (capBV) and RBC velocity ( V RBC) in skeletal muscle in vivo with the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound. We performed contrast ultrasound of the rat hindlimb adductor muscles at baseline and after 2-h infusions of either insulin (3 or 40 mU · kg−1 · min−1) or saline. Saline-treated animals were also studied during contractile exercise. V RBC and capBV were calculated from the relation between pulsing interval and video intensity. Femoral artery blood flow, measured by a flow probe, increased with both contractile exercise and insulin. Contractile exercise increased capBV more than twofold and V RBC fivefold. Insulin also increased capBV more than twofold in a dose-dependent fashion but did not significantly alter V RBC. Saline infusion did not significantly alter capBV, V RBC, or femoral artery blood flow. We conclude that physiological changes in skeletal muscle capillary perfusion can be assessed in vivo with the use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Exercise increases both V RBC and capBV, whereas hyperinsulinemia selectively increases only capBV, which may enhance skeletal muscle glucose uptake.
Glucose release from GLUT2-null hepatocytes: characterization of a major and a minor pathway
Authors: Hosokawa Masaya , Thorens Bernard
Published: February 2015

We previously reported that glucose can be released from GLUT2-null hepatocytes through a membrane traffic-based pathway issued from the endoplasmic reticulum. Here, we further characterized this glucose release mechanism using biosynthetic labeling protocols. In continuous pulse-labeling experiments, we determined that glucose secretion proceeded linearly and with the same kinetics in control and GLUT2-null hepatocytes. In GLUT2-deficient hepatocytes, however, a fraction of newly synthesized glucose accumulated intracellularly. The linear accumulation of glucose in the medium was inhibited in mutant, but not in control, hepatocytes by progesterone and low temperature, as previously reported, but, importantly, also by microtubule disruption. The intracellular pool of glucose was shown to be present in the cytosol, and, in pulse-chase experiments, it was shown to be released at a relatively slow rate. Release was not inhibited by S-4048 (an inhibitor of glucose-6-phosphate translocase), cytochalasin B, or progesterone. It was inhibited by phloretin, carbonyl cyanide p-(trifluoromethoxy)phenylhydrazone, and low temperature. We conclude that the major release pathway segregates glucose away from the cytosol by use of a membrane traffic-based, microtubule-dependent mechanism and that the release of the cytosolic pool of newly synthesized glucose, through an as yet unidentified plasma membrane transport system, cannot account for the bulk of glucose release.
Prolactin regulation of the pendrin-iodide transporter in the mammary gland
Authors: Rillema James A. , Hill Melissa A.
Published: February 2015

Iodide is an essential constituent of milk that is present in concentrations more than an order of magnitude higher than in the maternal plasma. Earlier, a sodium-iodide symporter was identified in the mammary gland; this transporter is presumed to take iodide from the maternal plasma into the alveolar epithelial cells of the mammary gland. We now report the existence of a second iodide transporter, pendrin, which is also essential for iodide accumulation in milk. Via Western blotting methods, high levels of the transporter were detected in lactating tissues; lesser amounts were found in tissues from midpregnant and virgin mice. Prolactin, at physiological concentrations, stimulated the expression of the pendrin transporter in cultured mammary tissues taken from 12- to 14-day-pregnant mice. The prolactin effect on iodide uptake into cultured mammary tissues was abolished by pendrin transport inhibitors, including DIDS, furosemide, and probenecid. These studies suggest that the prolactin stimulation of pendrin activity is an essential element in the prolactin stimulation of iodide uptake into milk.
Alterations of nPKC distribution, but normal Akt/PKB activation in denervated rat soleus muscle
Authors: Lin Yenshou , Brady Matthew J. , Wolanske Kristen , Holbert Richard , Ruderman Neil B. , Yaney Gordon C.
Published: February 2015

Denervation has been shown to impair the ability of insulin to stimulate glycogen synthesis and, to a lesser extent, glucose transport in rat skeletal muscle. Insulin binding to its receptor, activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase do not appear to be involved. On the other hand, it has been shown that denervation causes an increase in the total diacylglycerol (DAG) content and membrane-associated protein kinase C (PKC) activity. In this study, we further characterize these changes in PKC and assess other possible signaling abnormalities that might be related to the decrease of glycogen synthesis. The results reveal that PKC-ε and -θ, but not -α or -ζ, are increased in the membrane fraction 24 h after denervation and that the timing of these changes parallels the impaired ability of insulin to stimulate glycogen synthesis. At 24 h, these changes were associated with a 65% decrease in glycogen synthase (GS) activity ratio and decreased electrophoretic mobility, indicative of phosphorylation in GS in muscles incubated in the absence of insulin. Incubation of the denervated soleus with insulin for 30 min minimally increased glucose incorporation into glycogen; however, it increased GS activity threefold, to a value still less than that of control muscle, and it eliminated the gel shift. In addition, insulin increased the apparent abundance of GS kinase (GSK)-3 and protein phosphatase (PP)1α in the supernatant fraction of muscle homogenate to control values, and it caused the same increases in GSK-3 and Akt/protein kinase B (PKB) phosphorylation and Akt/PKB activity that it did in nondenervated muscle. No alterations in hexokinase I or II activity were observed after denervation; however, in agreement with a previous report, glucose 6-phosphate levels were diminished in 24-h-denervated soleus, and they did not increase after insulin stimulation. These results indicate that alterations in the distribution of PKC-ε and -θ accompany the impairment of glycogen synthesis in the 24-h-denervated soleus. They also indicate that the basal rate of glycogen synthesis and its stimulation by insulin in these muscles are diminished despite a normal activation of Akt/PKB and phosphorylation of GSK-3. The significance of the observed alterations to GSK-3 and PP1α distribution remain to be determined.
Weight loss-induced rise in plasma pollutant is associated with reduced skeletal muscle oxidative capacity
Authors: Imbeault Pascal , Tremblay Angelo , Simoneau Jean-Aimé , Joanisse Denis R.
Published: February 2015

In this study, we examined whether weight loss-induced changes in plasma organochlorine compounds (OC) were associated with those in skeletal muscle markers of glycolytic and oxidative metabolism. Vastus lateralis skeletal muscle enzyme activities and plasma OC (Aroclor 1260, polychlorinated biphenyl 153, p,p′-DDE, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, and hexachlorobenzene) were measured before and after a weight loss program in 17 men and 20 women. Both sexes showed a similar reduction in body weight (∼11 kg) in response to treatment, although men lost significantly more fat mass than women ( P < 0.05). Enzymatic markers of glycolysis, phosphofructokinase (PFK) activity, and oxidative metabolism, β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (HADH), citrate synthase (CS), and cytochrome c oxidase (COX) activities, remained unchanged after weight loss. A significant increase in plasma OC levels was observed in response to weight loss, an effect that was more pronounced in men. No relationship was observed between changes in OC and those in PFK activity in either sex [−0.31 < r < 0.12, not significant (NS)]. However, the greater the increase in plasma OC levels, the greater the reduction in oxidative enzyme (HADH, CS, COX) activities was in response to weight loss in men (−0.75 < r < −0.50, P < 0.05) but not in women (−0.33 < r < 0.33, NS). These results suggest that the weight loss-induced increase in plasma pollutant levels is likely to be associated with reduced skeletal muscle oxidative metabolism in men but not in women.
Effects of endurance training on activity and expression of AMP-activated protein kinase isoforms in rat muscles
Authors: Durante Paula E. , Mustard Kirsty J. , Park Soo-Hyun , Winder William W. , Hardie D. Grahame
Published: February 2015

The effects of endurance training on the response of muscle AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) to moderate treadmill exercise were examined. In red quadriceps, there was a large activation of α2-AMPK and inactivation of ACC in response to exercise. This response was greatly reduced after training, probably because of reduced metabolic stress. In white quadriceps, there were no effects of exercise on AMPK or ACC, but α2-activity was higher after training because of increased phosphorylation of Thr172. In soleus, there were small increases in α2-activity during exercise that were not affected by training. The expression of all seven AMPK subunit isoforms was also examined. The β2- and γ2-isoforms were most highly expressed in white quadriceps, and γ3 was expressed in red quadriceps and soleus. There was a threefold increase in expression of γ3 after training in red quadriceps only. Our results suggest that γ3 might have a special role in the adaptation to endurance exercise in muscles utilizing oxidative metabolism.
Influence of puberty on muscle development at the forearm
Authors: Neu C. M. , Rauch F. , Rittweger J. , Manz F. , Schoenau E.
Published: February 2015

Despite its fundamental importance for physical development, the growth of the muscle system has received relatively little consideration. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between cross-sectional area (CSA) of forearm muscles and maximal isometric grip force with age and pubertal stage. The study population comprised 366 children, adolescents, and young adults from 6 to 23 yr of age (185 female) and 107 adults (88 female) aged 29 to 40 yr. By use of peripheral quantitative computed tomography, muscle CSA was determined at the site of the forearm, whose distance to the ulnar styloid process corresponded to 65% of forearm length. Both muscle CSA and grip force were higher in prepubertal boys than in girls. The gender differences decreased until pubertal stage 3 and reincreased thereafter. In girls at pubertal stage 5, muscle CSA no longer increased with age ( P > 0.4), whereas there was still some age-related increase in grip force ( P = 0.02). In boys at pubertal stage 5, both muscle CSA and grip force continued to increase significantly with age ( P < 0.005 each). Specific grip force (grip force per muscle CSA) adjusted for forearm length increased by almost one-half between 6 and 20 yr of age, with no difference between the genders. In conclusion, forearm muscle growth takes a gender-specific course during puberty, indicating that it is influenced by hormonal changes. However, the increase in specific grip force is similar in both genders and thus appears to be independent of sex hormones.
Differential expression of VEGF receptors in adrenal atrophy induced by dexamethasone: a protective role of ACTH
Authors: Mallet Christine , Féraud Olivier , Ouengue-Mbélé Gaehl , Gaillard Isabelle , Sappay Nicolas , Vittet Daniel , Vilgrain Isabelle
Published: February 2015

Although ACTH is important to adrenal growth and steroidogenesis, its role in vascular development and function has not been established in vivo. In the present study, we demonstrate the expression of mRNA for all four VEGF isoforms (mVEGF120,144,164,188) and for Flk-1/KDR and Flt-1 receptors in the mouse adrenal in vivo. Suppression of the pituitary adrenocortical axis by dexamethasone (0.5 mg · 100 g body wt−1· day−1during 6 days) induced a decrease in corticosterone levels, adrenal weights by 50% ( P < 0.001), VEGF188mRNA, and Flk-1/KDR mRNA, whereas Flt-1 remained consistent during steroid treatment. A daily injection of ACTH-(1–39) restored the transcript for Flk-1/KDR and both VEGF188and plasma corticosterone to control levels. To gain further insights into the effects of ACTH, cultured endothelial cells (ECs) were treated with forskolin, which increases cAMP, the second messenger in ACTH action. We demonstrate that Flk-1/KDR protein expression was markedly increased by forskolin within 24–48 h of treatment in a dose-dependent manner (0.1–10 μM). The biological effect of ACTH on ECs was then tested by use of coincubations of fasciculata cells and ECs in 3D-collagen assay. Within 5–7 days of culture, ECs organized into multicellular structures that resemble networks of microvasculature, which characterize angiogenesis in vitro.
GLP-1-(9–36) amide reduces blood glucose in anesthetized pigs by a mechanism that does not involve insulin secretion
Authors: Deacon Carolyn F. , Plamboeck Astrid , Møller Søren , Holst Jens J.
Published: February 2015

Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is a potent anti-hyperglycemic hormone currently under investigation for its therapeutic potential. However, due to rapid degradation by dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP IV), which limits its metabolic stability and eliminates its insulinotropic activity, it has been impossible to assess its true efficacy in vivo. In chloralose-anesthetized pigs given valine-pyrrolidide (to block endogenous DPP IV activity), the independent effects of GLP-1-(7–36) amide on glucose and insulin responses to intravenous glucose were assessed, and the metabolite generated by DPP IV, GLP-1-(9–36) amide, was investigated for any ability to influence these responses. GLP-1-(7–36) amide enhanced insulin secretion ( P < 0.03 vs. vehicle), but GLP-1-(9–36) amide was without effect, either alone or when coinfused with GLP-1-(7–36) amide. In contrast, GLP-1-(9–36) amide did affect glucose responses ( P < 0.03). Glucose excursions were greater after saline (121 ± 17 mmol · l−1· min) than after GLP-1-(9–36) amide (73 ± 19 mmol · l−1· min; P < 0.05), GLP-1-(7–36) amide (62 ± 13 mmol · l−1· min; P < 0.02) or GLP-1-(7–36) amide + GLP-1-(9–36) amide (50 ± 13 mmol · l−1· min; P < 0.005). Glucose elimination rates were faster after GLP-1-(7–36) amide + (9–36) amide (10.3 ± 1.2%/min) than after GLP-1-(7–36) amide (7.0 ± 0.9%/min; P < 0.04), GLP-1-(9–36) amide (6.8 ± 1.0%/min; P < 0.03), or saline (5.4 ± 1.2%/min; P < 0.005). Glucagon concentrations were unaffected. These results demonstrate that GLP-1-(9–36) amide neither stimulates insulin secretion nor antagonizes the insulinotropic effect of GLP-1-(7–36) amide in vivo. Moreover, the metabolite itself possesses anti-hyperglycemic effects, supporting the hypothesis that selective DPP IV action is important in glucose homeostasis.
Role of PKC isoforms in glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes: insignificance of atypical PKC
Authors: Tsuru Masatoshi , Katagiri Hideki , Asano Tomoichiro , Yamada Tetsuya , Ohno Shigeo , Ogihara Takehide , Oka Yoshitomo
Published: February 2015

To elucidate the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms in insulin-induced and phorbol ester-induced glucose transport, we expressed several PKC isoforms, conventional PKC-α, novel PKC-δ, and atypical PKC isoforms of PKC-λ and PKC-ζ, and their mutants in 3T3-L1 adipocytes using an adenovirus-mediated gene transduction system. Endogenous expression and the activities of PKC-α and PKC-λ/ζ, but not of PKC-δ, were detected in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Overexpression of each wild-type PKC isoform induced a large amount of PKC activity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Phorbol 12-myristrate 13-acetate (PMA) activated PKC-α and exogenous PKC-δ but not atypical PKC-λ/ζ. Insulin also activated the overexpressed PKC-δ but not PKC-α. Expression of the wild-type PKC-α or PKC-δ resulted in significant increases in glucose transport activity in the basal and PMA-stimulated states. Dominant-negative PKC-α expression, which inhibited the PMA activation of PKC-α, decreased in PMA-stimulated glucose transport. Glucose transport activity in the insulin-stimulated state was increased by the expression of PKC-δ but not of PKC-α. These findings demonstrate that both conventional and novel PKC isoforms are involved in PMA-stimulated glucose transport and that other novel PKC isoforms could participate in PMA-stimulated and insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Atypical PKC-λ/ζ was not significantly activated by insulin, and expression of the wild-type, constitutively active, and dominant-negative mutants of atypical PKC did not affect either basal or insulin-stimulated glucose transport. Thus atypical PKC enzymes do not play a major role in insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
Abdominal adiposity and insulin resistance in obese men
Authors: Ross Robert , Aru James , Freeman Jennifer , Hudson Robert , Janssen Ian
Published: February 2015

We examined the independent relationships among various visceral and abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (AT) depots, glucose tolerance, and insulin sensitivity in 89 obese men. Measurements included an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glucose disposal by euglycemic clamp, and abdominal and nonabdominal (e.g., peripheral) AT by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). OGTT glucose and glucose disposal rates were related ( P < 0.05) to visceral AT ( r = 0.50 and −0.41, respectively). These observations remained significant ( P < 0.05) after control for nonabdominal and abdominal subcutaneous AT, and maximal O2 consumption (V˙o 2 max). Abdominal subcutaneous AT was not a significant correlate ( P > 0.05) of any metabolic variable after control for nonabdominal and visceral AT andV˙o 2 max. Division of abdominal subcutaneous AT into deep and superficial depots and visceral AT into intra- and extraperitoneal AT depots did not alter the observed relationships. Further analysis matched two groups of men for abdominal subcutaneous AT but also for low and high visceral AT. Men with high visceral AT had higher OGTT glucose values and lower glucose disposal rates compared with those with low visceral AT values ( P < 0.05). A similar analysis performed on two groups of men matched for visceral AT but also for high and low abdominal subcutaneous AT revealed no statistically different values for any metabolic variable ( P > 0.10). In conclusion, visceral AT alone is a strong correlate of insulin resistance independent of nonabdominal and abdominal subcutaneous AT and cardiovascular fitness. Subdivision of visceral and abdominal subcutaneous AT by MRI did not provide additional insight into the relationship between abdominal obesity and metabolic risk in obese men.
Exercise training increases lipid metabolism gene expression in human skeletal muscle
Authors: Tunstall Rebecca J. , Mehan Kate A. , Wadley Glenn D. , Collier Gregory R. , Bonen Arend , Hargreaves Mark , Cameron-Smith David
Published: February 2015

The effects of a single bout of exercise and exercise training on the expression of genes necessary for the transport and β-oxidation of fatty acids (FA), together with the gene expression of transcription factors implicated in the regulation of FA homeostasis were investigated. Seven human subjects (3 male, 4 female, 28.9 ± 3.1 yr of age, range 20–42 yr, body mass index 22.6 kg/m2, range 17–26 kg/m2) underwent a 9-day exercise training program of 60 min cycling per day at 63% peak oxygen uptake (V˙o2 peak; 104 ± 14 W). On days 1 and 9 of the program, muscle biopsies were sampled from the vastus lateralis muscle at rest, at the completion of exercise, and again 3 h postexercise. Gene expression of key components of FA transport [FA translocase (FAT/CD36), plasma membrane-associated FA-binding protein], β-oxidation [carntine palmitoyltransferase(CPT) I, β-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase] and transcriptional control [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)α, PPARγ, PPARγ coactivator 1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c] were unaltered by exercise when measured at the completion and at 3 h postexercise. Training increased total lipid oxidation by 24% ( P < 0.05) for the 1-h cycling bout. This increased capacity for lipid oxidation was accompanied by an increased expression of FAT/CD36 and CPT I mRNA. Similarly, FAT/CD36 protein abundance was also upregulated by exercise training. We conclude that enhanced fat oxidation after exercise training is most closely associated with the genes involved in regulating FA uptake across the plasma membrane (FAT/CD36) and across the mitochondrial membrane (CPT I).
Glitazones regulate glutamine metabolism by inducing a cellular acidosis in MDCK cells
Authors: Coates Greg , Nissim Itzhak , Battarbee Harold , Welbourne Tomas
Published: February 2015

We studied the effect of the antihyperglycemic glitazones, ciglitazone, troglitazone, and rosiglitazone, on glutamine metabolism in renal tubule-derived Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Troglitazone (25 μM) enhanced glucose uptake and lactate production by 108 and 92% (both P < 0.001). Glutamine utilization was not inhibited, but alanine formation decreased and ammonium formation increased (both P < 0.005). The decrease in net alanine formation occurred with a change in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) reactants, from close to equilibrium to away from equilibrium, consistent with inhibition of ALT activity. A shift of glutamine's amino nitrogen from alanine into ammonium was confirmed by usingl-[2-15N]glutamine and measuring the [15N]alanine and [15N]ammonium production. The glitazone-induced shift from alanine to ammonium in glutamate metabolism was dose dependent, with troglitazone being twofold more potent than rosiglitazone and ciglitazone. All three glitazones induced a spontaneous cellular acidosis, reflecting impaired acid extrusion in responding to both an exogenous (NH[Formula: see text]) and an endogenous (lactic acid) load. Our findings are consistent with glitazones inducing a spontaneous cellular acidosis associated with a shift in glutamine amino nitrogen metabolism from predominantly anabolic into a catabolic pathway.
Inhibition of glycogen synthesis by fatty acid in C2C12muscle cells is independent of PKC-α, -ε, and -θ
Authors: Cazzolli R. , Craig D. L. , Biden T. J. , Schmitz-Peiffer C.
Published: February 2015

We have previously shown that glycogen synthesis is reduced in lipid-treated C2C12skeletal muscle myotubes and that this is independent of changes in glucose uptake. Here, we tested whether mitochondrial metabolism of these lipids is necessary for this inhibition and whether the activation of specific protein kinase C (PKC) isoforms is involved. C2C12myotubes were pretreated with fatty acids and subsequently stimulated with insulin for the determination of glycogen synthesis. The carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 inhibitor etomoxir, an inhibitor of β-oxidation of acyl-CoA, did not protect against the inhibition of glycogen synthesis caused by the unsaturated fatty acid oleate. In addition, although oleate caused translocation, indicating activation, of individual PKC isoforms, inhibition of PKC by pharmacological agents or adenovirus-mediated overexpression of dominant negative PKC-α, -ε, or -θ mutants was unable to prevent the inhibitory effects of oleate on glycogen synthesis. We conclude that neither mitochondrial lipid metabolism nor activation of PKC-α, -ε, or -θ plays a role in the direct inhibition of glycogen synthesis by unsaturated fatty acids.
Central leptin increases insulin sensitivity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
Authors: Lin Chia-Yu , Higginbotham D. Allan , Judd Robert L. , White B. Douglas
Published: February 2015

This study examined the effect of intracerebroventricular leptin on insulin sensitivity in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were cannulated in the lateral ventricle and, after recovery, administered either intravenous STZ (50 mg/kg) to induce diabetes or citrate buffer. Chronic leptin (10 μg/10 μl icv) or vehicle injections were administered daily for 14 days beginning 2 days after establishment of hyperglycemia in the diabetic animals. At the end of the 2 wk of injections, insulin sensitivity was measured by the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) method. Blood glucose concentrations were dramatically reduced and normalized by the 4th day in diabetic animals receiving intracerebroventricular leptin treatment. Diabetic animals exhibited insulin resistance, whereas intracerebroventricular leptin significantly enhanced insulin sensitivity, as indicated by decreased SSPG. Circulating leptin levels were not increased in animals injected with intracerebroventricular leptin. Thus the increased peripheral insulin sensitivity appears to be due solely to the presence of leptin in the brain, not to leptin acting peripherally. These data imply that inadequate central leptin signaling may lead to insulin resistance.
Testosterone-induced increase in muscle size in healthy young men is associated with muscle fiber hypertrophy
Authors: Sinha-Hikim Indrani , Artaza Jorge , Woodhouse Linda , Gonzalez-Cadavid Nestor , Singh Atam B. , Lee Martin I. , Storer Thomas W. , Casaburi Richard , Shen Ruoquing , Bhasin Shalender
Published: February 2015

Administration of replacement doses of testosterone to healthy hypogonadal men and supraphysiological doses to eugonadal men increases muscle size. To determine whether testosterone-induced increase in muscle size is due to muscle fiber hypertrophy, 61 healthy men, 18–35 yr of age, received monthly injections of a long-acting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist to suppress endogenous testosterone secretion and weekly injections of 25, 50, 125, 300, or 600 mg testosterone enanthate (TE) for 20 wk. Thigh muscle volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and muscle biopsies were obtained from vastus lateralis muscle in 39 men before and after 20 wk of combined treatment with GnRH agonist and testosterone. Administration of GnRH agonist plus TE resulted in mean nadir testosterone concentrations of 234, 289, 695, 1,344, and 2,435 ng/dl at the 25-, 50-, 125-, 300-, and 600-mg doses, respectively. Graded doses of testosterone administration were associated with testosterone dose and concentration-dependent increase in muscle volume measured by MRI (changes in vastus lateralis volume, −4, +7, +15, +32, and +48 ml at 25-, 50-, 125-, 300-, and 600-mg doses, respectively). Changes in cross-sectional areas of both type I and II fibers were dependent on testosterone dose and significantly correlated with total ( r = 0.35, and 0.44, P < 0.0001 for type I and II fibers, respectively) and free ( r = 0.34 and 0.35, P < 0.005) testosterone concentrations during treatment. The men receiving 300 and 600 mg of TE weekly experienced significant increases from baseline in areas of type I (baseline vs. 20 wk, 3,176 ± 186 vs. 4,201 ± 252 μm2, P < 0.05 at 300-mg dose, and 3,347 ± 253 vs. 4,984 ± 374 μm2, P = 0.006 at 600-mg dose) muscle fibers; the men in the 600-mg group also had significant increments in cross-sectional area of type II (4,060 ± 401 vs. 5,526 ± 544 μm2, P = 0.03) fibers. The relative proportions of type I and type II fibers did not change significantly after treatment in any group. The myonuclear number per fiber increased significantly in men receiving the 300- and 600-mg doses of TE and was significantly correlated with testosterone concentration and muscle fiber cross-sectional area. In conclusion, the increases in muscle volume in healthy eugonadal men treated with graded doses of testosterone are associated with concentration-dependent increases in cross-sectional areas of both type I and type II muscle fibers and myonuclear number. We conclude that the testosterone induced increase in muscle volume is due to muscle fiber hypertrophy.
Effect of gender on lipid kinetics during endurance exercise of moderate intensity in untrained subjects
Authors: Mittendorfer Bettina , Horowitz Jeffrey F. , Klein Samuel
Published: February 2015

We evaluated lipid metabolism during 90 min of moderate-intensity (50% V˙o2peak) cycle ergometer exercise in five men and five women who were matched on adiposity (24 ± 2 and 25 ± 1% body fat, respectively) and aerobic fitness (V˙o2peak: 49 ± 2 and 47 ± 1 ml · kg fat-free mass−1· min−1, respectively). Substrate oxidation and lipid kinetics were measured by using indirect calorimetry and [13C]palmitate and [2H5]glycerol tracer infusion. The total increase in glycerol and free fatty acid (FFA) rate of appearance (Ra) in plasma during exercise (area under the curve above baseline) was ∼65% greater in women than in men (glycerol Ra: 317 ± 40 and 195 ± 33 μmol/kg, respectively; FFA Ra: 652 ± 46 and 453 ± 70 μmol/kg, respectively; both P < 0.05). Total fatty acid oxidation was similar in men and women, but the relative contribution of plasma FFA to total fatty acid oxidation was higher in women (76 ± 5%) than in men (46 ± 5%; P< 0.05). We conclude that lipolysis of adipose tissue triglycerides during moderate-intensity exercise is greater in women than in men, who are matched on adiposity and fitness. The increase in plasma fatty acid availability leads to a greater rate of plasma FFA tissue uptake and oxidation in women than in men. However, total fat oxidation is the same in both groups because of a reciprocal decrease in the oxidation rate of fatty acids derived from nonplasma sources, presumably intramuscular and possibly plasma triglycerides, in women.
Control of ubiquitination of proteins in rat tissues by ubiquitin conjugating enzymes and isopeptidases
Authors: Rajapurohitam Venkatesh , Bedard Nathalie , Wing Simon S.
Published: February 2015

The activity of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic system in differentiated tissues under basal conditions remains poorly explored. We measured rates of ubiquitination in rat tissue extracts. Accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins increased in the presence of ubiquitin aldehyde, indicating that deubiquitinating enzymes can regulate ubiquitination. Rates of ubiquitination varied fourfold, with the highest rate in the testis. We tested whether ubiquitin-activating enzyme (E1) or ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes (E2s) could be limiting for conjugation. Immunodepletion of the E2s UBC2 or UBC4 lowered rates of conjugation similarly. Supplementation of extracts with excess UBC2 or UBC4, but not E1, stimulated conjugation. However, UBC2-stimulated rates of ubiquitination still differed among tissues, indicating that tissue differences in E3s or substrate availability may also be rate controlling. UBC2 and UBC4 stimulated conjugation half-maximally at concentrations of 10–50 and 28–44 nM, respectively. Endogenous tissue levels of UBC2, but not UBC4, appeared saturating for conjugation, suggesting that in vivo modulation of UBC4 levels can likely control ubiquitin conjugation. Thus the pool of ubiquitin conjugates and therefore the rate of degradation of proteins by this system may be controlled by E2s, E3s, and isopeptidases. The regulation of the ubiquitin pathway appears complex, but precise.