Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

Effects of glucagon-like peptide 1 (7–36 amide) on whole-body protein metabolism in healthy man

The incretin glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) shows glucose-dependent insulinotropic activity and may exert anabolic effects. Whole-body protein metabolism was assessed by measuring [1-¹³C]-leucine kinetics in 13 healthy volunteers during hyperglycaemic clamping with or without pancreatic clamping (somatostatin infusion) in order to differentiate between insulin-mediated and direct GLP-1 effects. During intact pancreatic secretion leucine flux and leucine oxidation rate as parameters of whole-body protein breakdown decreased markedly after 180 min of synthetic GLP-1 infusion (GLP-1 vs. placebo: P  < 0.003). Indirect calorimetry showed an increase in energy expenditure and CO₂ production during GLP-1 administration ( P  < 0.0005). Plasma insulin increased after 3 h of GLP-1 infusion to 1486 ± 145 pmol L⁻¹ vs. 185 ± 12 pmol L⁻¹ for saline ( P  < 0.0001). When plasma insulin levels were kept constant (GLP-1 vs. saline, NS) during pancreatic clamping, GLP-1 effects on both protein metabolism and energy expenditure were abolished. Thus, GLP-1 infusion in man exerts protein anticatabolic and thermic effects, which are mediated by GLP-1-induced stimulation of insulin secretion.     

Toll样受体2胞外域及其氨基端和羧基端片段的克隆与序列分析

目的：为研究TLR2胞外域在肽聚糖诱导的信号转导中的功能，构建TLR2胞外域及其氨基端和羧基端片段真核表达载体。方法：提取HL－60细胞总RNA，以RT－PCR方法获取了TLR2胞外域cDNA片段，将其与pGEM-T Easy载体连接，转化E.coli JM109,建立了TLR2胞外域的cDNA克隆；籍此，又相继克隆了胞外域的氨基端和羧基端片段，然后将这三个片段克隆到真核表达载体pcDNA3中。结果：序列分析表明，与GenBank中的人TLR2全长cDNA序列比较，仅4个碱基不同，同源性为0．998。结论：成功获得了HL－60细胞TLR2胞外域及其氨基端和羧基端片段的克隆。     

Biochemical characterization of I-Ak proteins from mutant antigen-presenting B-cell--B-lymphoma hybridomas

Chemically induced mutants of an I-Ak,d expressing antigen-presenting B-cell--B-lymphoma hybridoma have recently been generated by immunoselection in vitro and were found to possess alterations in some of their serologically and functionally defined I-Ak region dependent functions. In order to identify at the structural level the origin of the differences in serological and functional properties of these mutants, I-Ak molecules from several of these mutant hybridomas were compared biochemically to wild-type I-Ak polypeptides by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and high-pressure liquid chromatographic tryptic peptide analyses. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis indicated that no major structural alterations, resulting in changes in mol. wt or charge, had occurred in the Ak alpha or Ak beta polypeptides from the mutant cells. Likewise, Ak alpha peptide maps of the mutants were indistinguishable from the normal Ak alpha peptide maps. However, two of the three mutants studied did exhibit one additional peptide in their Ak beta peptide maps. These results suggest that the major deficiencies in T-cell-activating functions of these mutants are a result of a limited alteration in the Ak beta polypeptide primary structure.     

慢性束缚应激大鼠海马CA1区L-ENK的变化及逍遥散的调节作用

目的:研究慢性束缚应激时大鼠海马CA1区L-ENK的变化以及逍遥散的调节作用。方法:用特制束缚架连续束缚7d与21d,每天3h的方法制作大鼠束缚应激模型,用免疫组织化学方法结合图像分析检测中枢（海马CA1区、齿状回、大脑皮层）L-ENK的变化。结果:大鼠海马CA1区L-ENK免疫反应阳性细胞的平均光密度、积分光密度、平均总面积、面密度和数密度等在造模7d时都有不同程度的增强,到造模21d时大鼠海马CA1区L-ENK有极显著性增强;7d与21d两模型组、四君子汤组及金匮肾气丸组大鼠CA1区L-ENK免疫反应积分光密度与逍遥散组比较显著增强,而逍遥散组和正常对照组相比则没有明显差异;可见逍遥散组对大鼠海马CA1区L-ENK的积分光密度有显著的影响。结论:逍遥散、四君子汤和金匮肾气丸对慢性束缚应激时海马CA1区有不同程度的调节作用,而以逍遥散作用为优。     

Nutritional Strategies for the Preservation of Fat Free Mass at High Altitude

Exposure to extreme altitude presents many physiological challenges. In addition to impaired physical and cognitive function, energy imbalance invariably occurs resulting in weight loss and body composition changes. Weight loss, and in particular, loss of fat free mass, combined with the inherent risks associated with extreme environments presents potential performance, safety, and health risks for those working, recreating, or conducting military operations at extreme altitude. In this review, contributors to muscle wasting at altitude are highlighted with special emphasis on protein turnover. The article will conclude with nutritional strategies that may potentially attenuate loss of fat free mass during high altitude exposure.     

Acute effects of phenylbutyrate on glutamine,branched‐chain amino acid and protein metabolism in skeletal muscles of rats

Phenylbutyrate (PB) acts as chemical chaperone and histone deacetylase inhibitor, which is used to decrease ammonia in urea cycle disorders and has been investigated for use in the treatment of a number of lethal illnesses. We performed in vivo and in vitro experiments to examine the effects of PB on glutamine (GLN), branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA; valine, leucine and isoleucine) and protein metabolism in rats. In the first study, animals were sacrificed one hour after three injections of PB (300mg/kg b.w.) or saline. In the second study, soleus (SOL, slow twitch) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL, fast twitch) muscles were incubated in a medium with or without PB (5 mM). L‐[1‐¹⁴C] leucine was used to estimate protein synthesis and leucine oxidation, and 3‐methylhistidine release was used to evaluate myofibrillar protein breakdown. PB treatment decreased GLN, BCAA and branched‐chain keto acids (BCKAs) in blood plasma, decreased BCAA and increased GLN concentrations in muscles, and increased GLN synthetase activities in muscles. Addition of PB to incubation medium increased leucine oxidation (55% in EDL, 29% in SOL), decreased BCKA and increased GLN in medium of both muscles, increased GLN in muscles, decreased protein synthesis in SOL and increased proteolysis in EDL. It is concluded that PB decreases BCAA, BCKA and GLN in blood plasma, activates BCAA catabolism and GLN synthesis in muscle and exerts adverse effects on protein metabolism. The results indicate that BCAA and GLN supplementation is needed when PB is used therapeutically and that PB may be a useful prospective agent which could be effective in management of maple syrup urine disease.     

Advances in understanding the molecular basis of the first steps in color vision

Serving as one of our primary environmental inputs, vision is the most sophisticated sensory system in humans. Here, we present recent findings derived from energetics, genetics and physiology that provide a more advanced understanding of color perception in mammals. Energetics of cis–trans isomerization of 11-cis-retinal accounts for color perception in the narrow region of the electromagnetic spectrum and how human eyes can absorb light in the near infrared (IR) range. Structural homology models of visual pigments reveal complex interactions of the protein moieties with the light sensitive chromophore 11-cis-retinal and that certain color blinding mutations impair secondary structural elements of these G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Finally, we identify unsolved critical aspects of color tuning that require future investigation.