A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.     

Inadequate dietary magnesium intake increases atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits

Epidemiological studies have shown dietary magnesium (Mg) intake and serum Mg levels to be inversely correlated with the development of atherosclerosis. We hypothesized that low levels of Mg would promote atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits. New Zealand white rabbits (4 months old, n = 22) were fed an atherogenic diet containing 0.12% (−Mg), 0.27% (control), or 0.43% (+Mg) Mg for 8 weeks. Blood samples were obtained at baseline, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks and were assayed for total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), non-HDL, triglycerides (TG), C-reactive protein, serum Mg, and erythrocyte Mg. Aortas from −Mg had significantly more plaque, with an intima thickness 42% greater than control and 36% greater than +Mg. Serum cholesterol levels rose over time, and at 8 weeks, −Mg had the highest and +Mg the lowest total and non-HDL cholesterol and TG levels, although these results did not reach significance. Over time, serum Mg levels increased, and erythrocyte Mg levels decreased. C-reactive protein significantly increased in all groups at 4 and 6 weeks but returned to baseline levels by 8 weeks. This study supports the hypothesis that inadequate intake of Mg results in an increase in atherosclerotic plaque development in rabbits.     

Human multiple myeloma cells express peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma and undergo apoptosis upon exposure to PPARgamma ligands

Multiple myeloma is essentially an incurable malignancy and it is therefore of great interest to develop new therapeutic approaches. We previously reported that human B cell-lymphomas express the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and are killed by PPARgamma ligands. Herein, we investigate the therapeutic potential of PPARgamma ligands for multiple myeloma. The human multiple myeloma cell lines ANBL6 and 8226 express PPARgamma mRNA and protein. The PPARgamma ligands, 15-deoxy-Delta12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) and ciglitazone, induced multiple myeloma cell apoptosis as determined by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and caspase activation. Importantly, the ability of PPARgamma ligands to kill both multiple myeloma cell lines was not abrogated by Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a multiple myeloma growth survival factor. Finally, the RXR ligand 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA) in combination with PPARgamma ligands greatly enhanced multiple myeloma cell killing. These new findings support that PPARgamma ligands may represent a novel therapy for multiple myeloma.     

PPARY2基因Pro12Ala和C1431T多态性及其单倍型与2型糖尿病和肥胖的相关性研究

目的 研究过氧化物体增殖活化受体γ2(peroxisome proliferator activated receptorγ2,PPARγ2)基因Pro12Ala和C1431T多态性及其单倍型与汉族人2型糖尿病、肥胖的关系.方法 应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性的方法,对207例2型糖尿病患者和101名非糖尿病对照者进行PPARγ2基因Pro12Ala和C1431T多态性研究.结果 (1)在非糖尿病对照人群中Aal 12等位基因频率是0.064,T1431等位基因频率是0.252.单倍型分析显示Pro12Ala和C1431T两个位点连锁不平衡(D'=0.63,r2=0.074),组成了3种常见单倍型Pro-C、Pro-T和Ala-T.(2)Pro12Ala和C1431T多态性分布及其单倍型分布频率在2型糖尿病组与对照组组间差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).(3)Pro12Ala变异与糖尿病患者的血压、血脂相关,地等位基因降低非肥胖糖尿病患者的舒张压(P<0.05),而对肥胖糖尿病患者的血脂水平无保护作用(P<0.05);C1431T多态性与糖尿病患者的超重和肥胖相关,超重和肥胖的糖尿病者T等位基因频率相对较高(P<0.05).结论 Pro12Ala和C1431T多态性可能在汉族人糖尿病发病中不是起主要作用;C1431T多态性与糖尿病患者的超重和肥胖相关.     

The Nutraceutical N-Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) Reveals Widespread Molecular Effects Unmasking New Therapeutic Targets in Murine Varicocele

Varicocele is an age-related disease with no current medical treatments positively impacting infertility. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression is present in normal testis with an involvement in the immunological reactions. The role of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α), a nuclear receptor, in fertility is still unclear. N-Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA), an emerging nutraceutical compound present in plants and animal foods, is an endogenous PPAR-α agonist with well-demonstrated anti-inflammatory and analgesics characteristics. In this model of mice varicocele, PPAR-α and TLR4 receptors’ roles were investigated through the administration of ultra-micronized PEA (PEA-um). Male wild-type (WT), PPAR-α knockout (KO), and TLR4 KO mice were used. A group underwent sham operation and administration of vehicle or PEA-um (10 mg/kg i.p.) for 21 days. Another group (WT, PPAR-α KO, and TLR4 KO) underwent surgical varicocele and was treated with vehicle or PEA-um (10 mg/kg i.p.) for 21 days. At the end of treatments, all animals were euthanized. Both operated and contralateral testes were processed for histological and morphometric assessment, for PPAR-α, TLR4, occludin, and claudin-11 immunohistochemistry and for PPAR-α, TLR4, transforming growth factor-beta3 (TGF-β3), phospho-extracellular signal-Regulated-Kinase (p-ERK) 1/2, and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLR) family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) Western blot analysis. Collectively, our data showed that administration of PEA-um revealed a key role of PPAR-α and TLR4 in varicocele pathophysiology, unmasking new nutraceutical therapeutic targets for future varicocele research and supporting surgical management of male infertility.     

Effect of short-term administration of lead to pregnant rats.

Lead was administred to adult female rats in drinking water (0;0.1:1 and 10 ppm) for 3 weeks before mating, during pregnancy and during 3 weeks after delivery. On day 21 after delivery the mothers and their newborns were sacrified and various parameters of blood -- lead concentration on (Pb-B), hematocrit (Htc), hemoglobin (Hb), free erythrocyte porphyrins (FEP), delta0aminolevulinate dehydratase (ALAD) -- and tissue -- ALAD, free tissue porphyrins (FTP), lead concentration (Pb-T) -- were determined. In mothers a significant increase in Pb-B and Pb concentration in kidney was found in the 10 ppm group, but this increase in lead concentration was not associated with any statistically significant modification of the biochemical parameters. In newborns, lead concentration in blood and in kidney was also significantly increased in the 10 ppm group and this lead exposure was associated with a decrease of the ALAD activity in blood and an increase of FTP in kidney. On the basis of the biochemical parameters investigated one can therefore conclude that the developing organism is more susceptible to the biological action of lead than the organism of adult animals and that the "no-effect" level of lead administered during pregnancy and in the neonatal period is around 1 ppm.     

PPAR-γ的激动剂抑制肺癌细胞生长的实验研究

目的　研究肺癌细胞上过氧化物酶体增生物激活受体γ(PPAR γ)的表达及其经配体 (激动剂 )活化后抑制肺癌细胞生长的机制。方法　以RT PCR和Westernblot检测肺癌细胞上PPAR γ的表达 ,并通过MTT和细胞计数检测经PPAR γ的激动剂作用后的细胞增殖情况 ,以TUNEL检测细胞的凋亡情况。结果　两种细胞上均有PPAR γ的表达 ;PPAR γ的配体作用后明显抑制细胞生长 ,且与时间和剂量有关 ;经配体活化的PPAR γ能诱导细胞凋亡 ,使其增殖受抑。结论　作为肺癌治疗的新靶点———PPAR γ在肺癌细胞上表达 ,且经配体活化后能通过诱导凋亡而抑制肺癌细胞的生长 ,从而为未来肺癌的治疗提供了新的途径     

Effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) and its metabolites on fatty acid homeostasis regulating proteins in rat placental HRP-1 trophoblast cells.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is a widely used plasticizer and ubiquitous environmental contaminant. The potential health hazards, including teratogenicity, from exposure to DEHP may be related to the role of DEHP or its metabolites in the trans-activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs). Fetal essential fatty acid (EFA) homeostasis is controlled by directional transfer across the placenta through a highly regulated process, including PPAR activation. Using HRP-1 rat trophoblastic cells, the effects of DEHP and two of its metabolites, mono-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (MEHP) and 2-ethylhexanoic acid (EHA), on the mRNA and protein expression of the three known PPAR isoforms (alpha, beta, and gamma), fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), plasma membrane fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm), and the heart cytoplasmic fatty acid binding protein (HFABP) were investigated. This study also investigated the functional effects of exposure on the uptake and transport of six long chain fatty acids (LCFAs): arachidonic acid (AA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), linoleic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), oleic acid (OA), and stearic acid (SA). In the presence of DEHP, MEHP, and EHA, the expression of PPARalpha, PPARgamma, FATP1, and HFABP were up-regulated in a dose- and time- dependent manner, while PPARbeta and FABPpm demonstrated variable expression. The uptake rates of EFAs (AA, DHA, LA, ALA) increased significantly upon exposure, and the transport of AA (omega-6) and DHA (omega-3) were directionally induced. These results suggest that DEHP, MEHP, and EHA can influence EFA transfer across HRP-1 cells, implying that these compounds may alter placental EFA homeostasis and potentially result in abnormal fetal development.     

共轭亚油酸对肥胖大鼠PPARγ基因表达及血清瘦素水平的影响

目的　研究不同剂量共轭亚油酸 (CLA)对饮食诱导肥胖大鼠PPARγ基因、瘦素、血糖、血脂的影响。方法　选用雄性Wistar大鼠 ,随机分为对照组、高脂组、高脂 +CLA组 (每 10 0g饲料含CLA分别为 0 75g、1 5 0g、3 0 0g) ,于第 12周末处死动物 ,计算脂 体比 ,测定大鼠血糖、血脂及瘦素水平 ,并应用RT PCR的方法检测大鼠白色脂肪组织过氧化物酶体增殖物激活受体γ(PPARγ)的表达水平。结果　CLA可降低肥胖大鼠血糖、甘油三酯 (TG)、总胆固醇 (TC)及瘦素水平 ,增加脂肪组织PPARγmRNA的表达水平。结论　CLA可降低肥胖大鼠血糖、血脂 ,并可通过激活PPARγ下调瘦素水平 ,有改善肥胖大鼠的瘦素抵抗作用。     

基于报告基因和PPARγ信号通路的药物筛选模型的建立

目的　建立基于报告基因和PPARγ(peroxisomeprolif erator activatedreceptorγ)信号通路的药物筛选模型,用此模型筛选具有胰岛素增敏活性的小分子化合物。方法　五种细胞分别进行瞬时转染,将含有目的片段PPRE(peroxisomeproliferatorresponseelement)和报告基因荧光素酶(Luc)的质粒及表达PPARγ的质粒共转染到细胞中,通过测定荧光素酶活力来考察马来酸罗格列酮对PPARγ信号通路的影响,选取诱导表达倍数最高的细胞株建立模型。用其他类型核受体激动剂对此模型进行特异性考察。结果　293T细胞中,荧光素酶的表达受马来酸罗格列酮的诱导倍数最高,可达4 9倍,并呈现一定的剂量依赖关系,Z′因子为0 .72。而其他各类核受体激动剂的诱导表达率均在1倍左右。马来酸罗格列酮在转染剂量范围内无促进细胞增殖的作用。结论　马来酸罗格列酮对共转染报告基因质粒和表达PPARγ质粒的293T细胞Luc的表达具有较强的诱导作用,此模型具有较好的特异性和稳定性,适用于建立筛选PPARγ激动剂的高通量筛选模型。