Specific binding of [3H]ouabain to heart is inhibited by long-chain fatty acids and alcohols

Long-chain fatty acids and alcohols inhibit specific binding of [³H]ouabain to a particulate fraction from dog heart. The magnitude of inhibition increases with chain length, reaching a maximum with lauric acid, myristoleic acid and decanol in a series of saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and alcohols, respectively, followed by a decline with longer chain members of homologous series. Unsaturated fatty acids and alcohols are more inhibitory than their corresponding saturated congeners; in general, inhibitory potency is greater in cis than trans forms and increases with higher degree of unsaturation. Methyl esters of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids tested were inactive at 10^?3m or lower concentrations. The inhibition of ouabain binding by fatty acids and alcohols was specific and appears to be competitive. This study extends our earlier findings on the inhibitory activity of fatty acid fractions from bovine liver.     

Effects of unsaturated fatty acids on calcium-activated potassium current in gastric myocytes of guinea pigs

AIM: To investigate the effects of exogenous unsaturated fatty acids on calcium-activated potassium current [IK(Ca)] in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pigs. METHODS: Gastric myocytes were isolated by collagenase from the antral circular layer of guinea pig stomach. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to record /K(Ca) in the isolated single smooth muscle cells with or without different concentrations of arachidonic acid (AA), linoleic acid (LA), and oleic acid (OA). RESULTS: AA at concentrations of 2,5 and 10 μmol/L markedly increased IK(Ca) in a dose-dependent manner. LA at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L also enhanced /K(Ca) in a dose-dependent manner. The increasing potency of AA, LA, and oleic acid (OA) on /K(Ca)at the same concentration (10μmol/L) was in the order of AA>LA>OA. AA (10 μmol/L)-induced increase of Ik(ca) was not blocked by H-7 (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), or indomethacin (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of the cyclooxygenase pathway, and 17-octadecynoic acid (10 μmol/L), an inhibitor of the cytochrome P450 pathway, but weakened by nordihydroguaiaretic acid (10μmol/L), an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase pathway. CONCLUSION: Unsaturated fatty acids markedly increase Ik(Ca), and the enhancing potencies are related to the number of double bonds in the fatty acid chain. The lipoxygenase pathway of unsaturated fatty acid metabolism is involved in the unsaturated fatty acid-induced increase of IK(Ca) in gastric antral circular myocytes of guinea pigs.     

Cholecystokinin antagonist L364,718 induces alterations in acinar cells that prevent improvement of acute pancreatitis induced by obstruction

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the most potent CCK receptor antagonist, L364,718, on two major factors involved in pancreatitis development: enzyme load and cytosolic calcium (Ca²⁺) levels in acinar cells. L364,718 (0.1 mg/kg/12 hr) was administered from 30 min before inducing acute pancreatitis (AP) by pancreatic duct obstruction (PDO) for 48 hr. The results obtained at different AP stages in PDO rats treated and not treated with the CCK antagonist were compared. Similar increases in the intracellular enzyme content were found at earlier stages of pancreatitis in all PDO rats treated or not treated with L364,718. The CCK antagonist increased cytosolic Ca²⁺ levels up to 6 hr after administration, inducing a higher cytosolic Ca²⁺ overload at the earliest stages of pancreatitis in L364,718-treated PDO rats than in those not treated. This event might justify the higher increases in ascites volume and haematocrit found in PDO rats treated with L364,718 and the exacerbation in pancreatic morphological alterations induced by PDO. The CCK receptor antagonist L364,718 produces alterations in the acinar calcium homeostasis that prevent to reduction in the severity of pancreatitis induced by obstruction.     

Pancreatic protease activation by alcohol metabolite depends on Ca2+ release via acid store IP3 receptors

Toxic alcohol effects on pancreatic acinar cells, causing the often fatal human disease acute pancreatitis, are principally mediated by fatty acid ethyl esters (non-oxidative products of alcohol and fatty acids), emptying internal stores of Ca²⁺. This excessive Ca²⁺ liberation induces Ca²⁺-dependent necrosis due to intracellular trypsin activation. Our aim was to identify the specific source of the Ca²⁺ release linked to the fatal intracellular protease activation. In 2-photon permeabilized mouse pancreatic acinar cells, we monitored changes in the Ca²⁺ concentration in the thapsigargin-sensitive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as well as in a bafilomycin-sensitive acid compartment, localized exclusively in the apical granular pole. We also assessed trypsin activity in the apical granular region. Palmitoleic acid ethyl ester (POAEE) elicited Ca²⁺ release from both the ER as well as the acid pool, but trypsin activation depended predominantly on Ca²⁺ release from the acid pool, that was mainly mediated by functional inositol 1,4,5- trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs) of types 2 and 3. POAEE evoked very little Ca²⁺ release and trypsin activation when IP₃Rs of both types 2 and 3 were knocked out. Antibodies against IP₃Rs of types 2 and 3, but not type 1, markedly inhibited POAEE-elicited Ca²⁺ release and trypsin activation. We conclude that Ca²⁺ release through IP₃Rs of types 2 and 3 in the acid granular Ca²⁺ store induces intracellular protease activation, and propose that this is a critical process in the initiation of alcohol-related acute pancreatitis.     

Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ channel blockade as a potential tool in antipancreatitis therapy

Alcohol-related acute pancreatitis can be mediated by a combination of alcohol and fatty acids (fatty acid ethyl esters) and is initiated by a sustained elevation of the Ca²⁺ concentration inside pancreatic acinar cells ([Ca²⁺]_i), due to excessive release of Ca²⁺ stored inside the cells followed by Ca²⁺ entry from the interstitial fluid. The sustained [Ca²⁺]_i elevation activates intracellular digestive proenzymes resulting in necrosis and inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that pharmacological blockade of store-operated or Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ channels (CRAC) would prevent sustained elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i and therefore protease activation and necrosis. In isolated mouse pancreatic acinar cells, CRAC channels were activated by blocking Ca²⁺ ATPase pumps in the endoplasmic reticulum with thapsigargin in the absence of external Ca²⁺. Ca²⁺ entry then occurred upon admission of Ca²⁺ to the extracellular solution. The CRAC channel blocker developed by GlaxoSmithKline, GSK-7975A, inhibited store-operated Ca²⁺ entry in a concentration-dependent manner within the range of 1 to 50 μM (IC₅₀ = 3.4 μM), but had little or no effect on the physiological Ca²⁺ spiking evoked by acetylcholine or cholecystokinin. Palmitoleic acid ethyl ester (100 μM), an important mediator of alcohol-related pancreatitis, evoked a sustained elevation of [Ca²⁺]_i, which was markedly reduced by CRAC blockade. Importantly, the palmitoleic acid ethyl ester-induced trypsin and protease activity as well as necrosis were almost abolished by blocking CRAC channels. There is currently no specific treatment of pancreatitis, but our data show that pharmacological CRAC blockade is highly effective against toxic [Ca²⁺]_i elevation, necrosis, and trypsin/protease activity and therefore has potential to effectively treat pancreatitis.     

Synergistic action of diacylglycerol and unsaturated fatty acid for protein kinase C activation: its possible implications.

Kinetic properties of the purified alpha, beta, and gamma subspecies of protein kinase C (PKC) to respond to diacylglycerol, phosphatidylserine (PtdSer), and Ca2+ were reinvestigated in the presence of several fatty acids. Although responses of these enzyme subspecies to the lipids slightly differed from one another, the reaction velocity of these subspecies was significantly enhanced by synergistic action of diacylglycerol and a cis-unsaturated fatty acid. Arachidonic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, and docosahexaenoic acids were active in this role, whereas saturated fatty acids such as palmitic and stearic acids were inactive. Elaidic acid was also inactive. In the presence of both PtdSer and diacylglycerol, the cis-unsaturated fatty acids increased further an apparent affinity of PKC to Ca2+ and allowed the enzyme to exhibit almost full activation at nearly basal levels of Ca2+ concentration. The concentration of fatty acid giving rise to the maximum activation of enzyme was approximately 20-50 microM. The result presented herein implies that the receptor-mediated release of unsaturated fatty acids from phospholipids may take part, in synergy with diacylglycerol, in the activation of PKC even when the Ca2+ concentration is low. A possibility arises, then, that the activation of PKC is an integral part of the signal-induced degradation cascade of various membrane phospholipids, which is initiated by the actions of phospholipase C and phospholipase A2.     

两种Q热疫苗的脂肪酸分析

目的比较分析灭活贝氏柯克斯体全细胞(WC)和氯仿-甲醇提取WC的残存组分(CMR)Q热疫苗的脂肪酸种类及含量差异。方法制备WC和CMR,采用高压气相色谱检测WC和CMR脂肪酸种类及相对含量。结果WC经氯仿-甲醇回馏处理后得到的不溶性组分CMR。气相色谱分析发现CMR较WC减少了11种脂肪酸,其中4种为不饱和脂肪酸,4种为支链脂肪酸,70%为C原子数≥18的较长链的脂肪酸。另外,两种疫苗的支链脂肪酸与直链脂肪酸、不饱和脂肪酸与饱和脂肪酸的比值也明显不同。结论灭活贝氏柯克斯体疫苗经氯仿-甲醇提取后,除去了它的多种脂肪酸或减少某些脂肪酸含量,这些脂肪酸的消除与减少可能是CMR疫苗诱导的局部和全身不良反应消失或减轻的主要原因。     

Free calcium and calmodulin levels in acinar carcinoma and normal acinar cells of rat pancreas

Summary Exposure of acinar carcinoma cells and normal acinar cells of rat pancreas to the muscarinic agonist drug carbamylcholine stimulated⁴⁵Ca²⁺ outflux from⁴⁵Ca²⁺-labeled cells. More rapid outflux of⁴⁵Ca²⁺ was detected for carcinoma cells following muscarinic stimulation than for normal cells. Direct flurometric measurement of cytosolic Ca²⁺ under basal (unstimulated) conditions in quin 2-loaded cells revealed significantly lower concentration of free Ca²⁺ in carcinoma cells (≈180 nM) than in normal cells (≈200 nM). Stimulation with 1 mM carbamylcholine increased the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration in carcinoma and normal cells to ≈ 1900 nM, after which carcinoma cells removed cytosolic Ca²⁺ at a faster rate to a post-stimulation plateau concentration of ≈140 nM, in comparison to normal cells which, obtained a poststimulation stimulation plateau concentration of ≈ 300 nM. Essentially identical differences between carcinoma and normal cells were detected upon stimulation with the peptidergic agonist cholecystokinin octapeptide. Finally, carcinoma cells demonstrated ≈ times greater calmodulin concentration than normal acinar cells. Also, the calmodulin antagonist drug W7 (N-6-(aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene sulfonamide) inhibited the carbamylcholine-induced release of intracellular Ca²⁺ in acinar carcinoma cells. These results indicate that neoplastic pancreatic acinar cells have retained mechanisms of muscarinic- and peptidergic-stimulated intracellular Ca²⁺ release, and implicate calmodulin as a regualatory in secretagogue activation of intracellular Ca²⁺ release. We propose that the more rapid decline of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration following muscarinic or peptidergic stimulation and the increased intracellular calmodulin concentration indicate calmodulin-mediated down-regulation of free cytosolic Ca²⁺ in acinar carcinoma cells to levels lower than those of normal cells.     

Ethanol toxicity in pancreatic acinar cells: mediation by nonoxidative fatty acid metabolites

Ethanol causes pancreatic damage by an unknown mechanism. Previously, we demonstrated that a sustained rise of the cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) causes pancreatic acinar cell injury. Here we have investigated the effects of ethanol and its metabolites on Ca(2+) signaling in pancreatic acinar cells. Most cells exposed to ethanol (up to 850 mM) showed little or no increase in [Ca(2+)](i) (and never at concentrations <50 mM). During sustained exposure to 850 mM ethanol, acetylcholine (ACh) evoked a normal [Ca(2+)](i) elevation and following ACh removal there was a normal and rapid recovery to a low resting level. The oxidative metabolite acetaldehyde (up to 5 mM) had no effect, whereas the nonoxidative unsaturated metabolite palmitoleic acid ethyl ester (10-100 microM, added on top of 850 mM ethanol) induced sustained, concentration-dependent increases in [Ca(2+)](i) that were acutely dependent on external Ca(2+) and caused cell death. These actions were shared by the unsaturated metabolite arachidonic acid ethyl ester, the saturated equivalents palmitic and arachidic acid ethyl esters, and the fatty acid palmitoleic acid. In the absence of external Ca(2+), releasing all Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum by ACh (10 microM) or the specific Ca(2+) pump inhibitor thapsigargin (2 microM) prevented such Ca(2+) signal generation. We conclude that nonoxidative fatty acid metabolites, rather than ethanol itself, are responsible for the marked elevations of [Ca(2+)](i) that mediate toxicity in the pancreatic acinar cell and that these compounds act primarily by releasing Ca(2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum.     

Fatty acid induced insulin resistance in rat-1 fibroblasts overexpressing human insulin receptors: impaired insulin-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase activity

Summary Saturated fatty acids cause insulin resistance but the underlying molecular mechanism is still unknown. We examined the effect of saturated non-esterified fatty acids on insulin binding and action in transfected Rat-1 fibroblasts, which over-expressed human insulin receptors. Incubation with 1.0 mmol/l palmitate for 1–4 h did not affect insulin binding, insulin receptor autophosphorylation, insulin-stimulated tyrosine kinase activity toward poly(Glu⁴:Tyr¹), pp185 and Shc phosphorylation and PI3-kinase activity in these cells. However, the dose response curve of insulin-stimulated glucose transport was right-shifted. Palmitate inhibited the maximally insulin-stimulated mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinase activity toward synthetic peptide to 7 % that of control. The palmitate treatment influenced neither cytosolic protein kinase A activity nor cAMP levels. These results suggested that 1) palmitate did not inhibit the early steps of insulin action from insulin binding to pp185 or Shc phosphorylation but inhibited insulin-stimulated MAP kinase, and that 2) palmitate decreased insulin sensitivity as manifested by inhibited insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. In conclusion, the mechanism of saturated non-esterified fatty acid induced insulin resistance in glucose uptake may reside at post PI3-kinase or Shc steps, including the level of MAP kinase activation. [Diabetologia (1997) 40: 894–901] Received: 15 January 1997 and in revised form: 9 April 1997     

高糖、高饱和脂肪酸及高不饱和脂肪酸饮食对老年大鼠胰岛素抵抗的影响

目的 探讨不同类型高脂肪酸及高糖饮食对老年大鼠胰岛素抵抗（IR）的影响。方法 用高不饱和脂肪酸（HUFA），高饱和脂肪酸（HSFA），高糖（HS）饲料饲养大鼠24w，观察体重（BW）、总胆固醇（TC）、甘油三酯（TG）、空腹血糖（FBG）、空腹胰岛素（FINS）、游离脂肪酸（FFA）的变化，并以正常血糖高胰岛素钳夹技术的葡萄糖输注率（GIR）对大鼠IR进行评价。结果 12w和24w GIR在不同实验组间出现显著差异（均P〈0.01），HSFA组GIR最低，24w时HUFA组、HSFA组、HS组及对照组（NC组）GIR与0w相比分别下降51.6％、52.1％、34.2％、26.4％。各实验组BW、TG、TC、FFA、FBG、FINS与NC组相比有不同程度升高，经多元回归分析，GIR与FFA、TG呈显著负相关（均P〈0.01）。结论 HUFA、HSFA和HS饮食长期摄入均可诱导大鼠IR；TG及FFA的升高与IR的形成有明显相关；随月龄增长大鼠的GIR有显著下降趋势，但饮食结构的影响更重要。     

Plasma fatty acids and lipoproteins in type 2 diabetic patients

BACKGROUND: The dyslipidemia of type 2 diabetic patients is characterized by high VLDL, abnormal LDL composition and low HDL cholesterol concentrations. The aim of this study was to establish whether the type of dietary fats affects LDL size and density and HDL cholesterol concentrations in these patients. METHODS: Plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition, which reflects the type of dietary fatty acids, was quantified by gas chromatography. LDL relative flotation (LDL-Rf), a measure of LDL particle size and density, was determined by single vertical spin density gradient ultracentrifugation in 97 type 2 diabetic patients. RESULTS: By linear regression analysis of the data, plasma fatty acids were associated neither with LDL-cholesterol levels nor with LDL-Rf. The HDL cholesterol concentrations were negatively related with saturated fatty acids (r = -0.23; p = 0.02) but positively related with monounsaturated fatty acids (r = +0.20; p = 0.00). Furthermore, higher HDL concentrations were associated with large and buoyant LDL particles (HDL cholesterol vs LDL-Rf: r = +0.47; p = 0.00). In the multiple regression analysis, the LDL-Rf was significantly related both to triglycerides (beta coefficient = -0.55, p = 0.000) and HDL cholesterol (beta coefficient = 0.19, p = 0.034) concentrations. In a stepwise regression analysis including both triglycerides and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides alone explained the 43.0% of the LDL-Rf variability. CONCLUSIONS: A reduction of the dietary saturated fats and an increment of monounsaturated fats might increase HDL cholesterol concentrations in type 2 diabetic patients. Modifications of LDL composition might be expected from interventions aimed to reduce plasma triglycerides.     

Calcium signaling of pancreatic acinar cells in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an increasingly common and sometimes severe disease that lacks a specific therapy.The pathogenesis of pancreatitis is still not well understood.Calcium(Ca2+)is a versatile carrier of signals regulating many aspects of cellular activity and plays a central role in controlling digestive enzyme secretion in pancreatic acinar cells.Ca2+overload is a key early event and is crucial in the pathogenesis of many diseases.In pancreatic acinar cells,pathological Ca2+signaling(stimulated by bile,alcohol metabolites and othercauses)is a key contributor to the initiation of cell injury due to prolonged and global Ca2+elevation that results in trypsin activation,vacuolization and necrosis,all of which are crucial in the development of pancreatitis.Increased release of Ca2+from stores in the intracellular endoplasmic reticulum and/or increased Ca2+entry through the plasma membrane are causes of such cell damage.Failed mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate(ATP)production reduces re-uptake and extrusion of Ca2+by the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-activated ATPase and plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase pumps,which contribute to Ca2+overload.Current findings have provided further insight into the roles and mechanisms of abnormal pancreatic acinar Ca2+signals in pancreatitis.The lack of available specific treatments is therefore an objective of ongoing research.Research is currently underway to establish the mechanisms and interactions of Ca2+signals in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis.     

Fatty acids inhibit apical membrane chloride channels in airway epithelia.

Apical membrane Cl- channels control the rate of transepithelial Cl- secretion in airway epithelia. cAMP-dependent protein kinase and protein kinase C regulate Cl- channels by phosphorylation; in cystic fibrosis cells, phosphorylation-dependent activation of Cl- channels is defective. Another important signaling system involves arachidonic acid, which is released from cell membranes during receptor-mediated stimulation. Here we report that arachidonic acid reversibly inhibited apical membrane Cl- channels in cell-free patches of membrane. Arachidonic acid itself inhibited the channel and not a cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase metabolite because (i) inhibitors of these enzymes did not block the response, (ii) fatty acids that are not substrates for the enzymes had the same effect as arachidonic acid, and (iii) metabolites of arachidonic acid did not inhibit the channel. Inhibition occurred only when fatty acids were added to the cytosolic surface of the membrane patch. Unsaturated fatty acids were more potent than saturated fatty acids. Arachidonic acid inhibited Cl- channels from both normal and cystic fibrosis cells. These results suggest that fatty acids directly inhibit apical membrane Cl- channels in airway epithelial cells.     

Dietary fructose exacerbates hepatocellular injury when incorporated into a methionine‐choline‐deficient diet

Background: Methionine‐choline‐deficient (MCD) diets cause steatohepatitis in rodents and are used to model fatty liver disease in human beings. Recent studies have identified sucrose as a major contributor to MCD‐related liver disease through its ability to promote hepatic de novo lipogenesis. Aims: To determine whether glucose and fructose, the two constitutents of sucrose, differ in their capacity to provoke steatohepatitis when incorporated individually into MCD formulas. Materials & Methods: MCD and control formulas prepared with either glucose or fructose as the sole source of carbohydrate were fed to mice for 21 days. Liver injury was assessed biochemically and histologically together with hepatic gene expression and fatty acid analysis. Results: Mice fed MCD formulas developed similar degrees of hepatic steatosis whether they contained glucose or fructose. By contrast, mice fed MCD‐fructose developed significantly more hepatocellular injury than mice fed MCD‐glucose, judged by histology, apoptosis staining and serum alanine aminotransferase. Liver injury in MCD‐fructose mice coincided with an exaggerated rise in the ratio of long‐chain saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in the liver. Notably, hepatic inflammation was not enhanced in mice fed MCD‐fructose, correlating instead with hepatic lipid peroxidation, which was equivalent in the two MCD groups. Discussion: Fructose is more cytotoxic than glucose when used as the source of carbohydrate in MCD formulas. Conclusion: The data suggest the enhanced cytotoxicity of fructose in the MCD model is related to its ability to stimulate de novo lipogenesis, which yields harmful long‐chain saturated fatty acids.     

Substituting dietary saturated for monounsaturated fat impairs insulin sensitivity in healthy men and women: The KANWU study

Aims/hypothesis. The amount and quality of fat in the diet could be of importance for development of insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders. Our aim was to determine whether a change in dietary fat quality alone could alter insulin action in humans. Methods. The KANWU study included 162 healthy subjects chosen at random to receive a controlled, isoenergetic diet for 3 months containing either a high proportion of saturated (SAFA diet) or monounsaturated (MUFA diet) fatty acids. Within each group there was a second assignment at random to supplements with fish oil (3.6 g n-3 fatty acids/d) or placebo. Results. Insulin sensitivity was significantly impaired on the saturated fatty acid diet (-10 %, p = 0.03) but did not change on the monounsaturated fatty acid diet ( + 2 %, NS) (p = 0.05 for difference between diets). Insulin secretion was not affected. The addition of n-3 fatty acids influenced neither insulin sensitivity nor insulin secretion. The favourable effects of substituting a monounsaturated fatty acid diet for a saturated fatty acid diet on insulin sensitivity were only seen at a total fat intake below median (37E %). Here, insulin sensitivity was 12.5 % lower and 8.8 % higher on the saturated fatty acid diet and monounsaturated fatty acid diet respectively (p = 0.03). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) increased on the saturated fatty acid diet ( + 4.1 %, p < 0.01) but decreased on the monounsaturated fatty acid diet (MUFA) (–5.2, p < 0.001), whereas lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] increased on a monounsaturated fatty acid diet by 12 % (p < 0.001). Conclusions/interpretation. A change of the proportions of dietary fatty acids, decreasing saturated fatty acid and increasing monounsaturated fatty acid, improves insulin sensitivity but has no effect on insulin secretion. A beneficial impact of the fat quality on insulin sensitivity is not seen in individuals with a high fat intake ( > 37E %). [Diabetologia (2001) 44: 312–319] Received: 21 August 2000 and in revised form: 8 November 2000     

Kinetic analysis of myocardial fatty acid oxidation suggesting an albumin receptor mediated uptake process

The relationship between extracellular albumin and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) concentrations and the rate of fatty acid oxidation was studied. The data were obtained from tests performed on a working rat heart. When NEFA concentration was increased the rate of fatty acid oxidation showed a saturation curve at a constant NEFA/albumin ratio. Keeping constant the albumin concentration, a rise in NEFA concentration resulted in a linear increase of fatty acid oxidation. No correlation, however, was found between fatty acid oxidation and the unbound fraction of fatty acids. These results suggest an albumin receptor mediated NEFA uptake. With this assumption the following rate law of the NEFA uptake was derived: UPT = UPT0 X [FA]/(Km + [ALB] ) where [FA] and [ALB] are the total NEFA- and albumin concentrations, UPT0 and Km are constants. The rates of oxidation computed with this equation show a very good congruence to the values obtained experimentally. The validity of the rate law is confirmed by the fact that it is shown to be in agreement to the results of other investigators.     

Fatty acid metabolism and insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells

Increases in glucose or fatty acids affect metabolism via changes in long-chain acyl-CoA formation and chronically elevated fatty acids increase total cellular CoA. Understanding the response of pancreatic beta cells to increased amounts of fuel and the role that altered insulin secretion plays in the development and maintenance of obesity and Type 2 diabetes is important. Data indicate that the activated form of fatty acids acts as an effector molecule in stimulus-secretion coupling. Glucose increases cytosolic long-chain acyl-CoA because it increases the "switch" compound malonyl-CoA that blocks mitochondrial -oxidation, thus implementing a shift from fatty acid to glucose oxidation. We present arguments in support of the following: (i) A source of fatty acid either exogenous or endogenous (derived by lipolysis of triglyceride) is necessary to support normal insulin secretion; (ii) a rapid increase of fatty acids potentiates glucose-stimulated secretion by increasing fatty acyl-CoA or complex lipid concentrations that act distally by modulating key enzymes such as protein kinase C or the exocytotic machinery; (iii) a chronic increase of fatty acids enhances basal secretion by the same mechanism, but promotes obesity and a diminished response to stimulatory glucose; (iv) agents which raise cAMP act as incretins, at least in part, by stimulating lipolysis via beta-cell hormone-sensitive lipase activation. Furthermore, increased triglyceride stores can give higher rates of lipolysis and thus influence both basal and stimulated insulin secretion. These points highlight the important roles of NEFA, LC-CoA, and their esterified derivatives in affecting insulin secretion in both normal and pathological states.Abbreviations ACS acyl-CoA synthetase - ACC acetyl-CoA carboxylase - BAT brown adipose tissue - CPT carnitine palmitoyl transferase - CL citrate lyase - DAG diacylglycerol - GSIS glucose-stimulated insulin secretion - HSL hormone-sensitive lipase - K_ATP ATP-sensitive K⁺ channel - LC-CoA long chain acyl-CoA - PA phosphatidate - PFK-1 phosphofructokinase-1 - PKC protein kinase C - PMA phorbol myristate acetate - PC pyruvate carboxylase - PS phosphatidylserine - SNAP soluble NSF-associated protein - SNAP-25 synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kD - t-SNARE target SNAP receptor - v-SNARE vesicle SNAP receptor - VAMP vesicle-associated membrane protein - VDCC voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channel - WAT white adipose tissue     

Can specific calcium channel blockade be the basis for a drug-based treatment of acute pancreatitis?

Acute pancreatitis is an inflammatory disease with a significant mortality, triggered by autodigestion and cell death. There is currently no specific treatment. Excessive intracellular Ca²⁺ signals, elicited by combinations of fat and alcohol or bile acids, initiate the intracellular protease activation that causes autodigestion. These abnormal Ca²⁺ signals are generated by excessive Ca²⁺ release from internal stores followed by excessive Ca²⁺ influx from the interstitial fluid. The intracellular protease activation is totally dependent on sustained Ca²⁺ influx. It has recently been shown that the influx pathway belongs to the CRAC (Ca²⁺ release activated Ca²⁺) channel type. A selective blocker is now available for this channel and recent work, reviewed in this editorial, shows that pharmacological blockade in isolated pancreatic acinar cells, prevents the excessive Ca²⁺ signal generation, intracellular protease activation and necrosis that is the root cause of acute pancreatitis. This gives hope for a rational treatment of this disease.     

Changes in plasma free fatty acid concentrations in rheumatoid arthritis patients during fasting and their effects upon T-lymphocyte proliferation.

OBJECTIVE: To measure whether changes in the concentrations of circulating free fatty acids (FFAs) after a 7 day fast in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients would inhibit in vitro T-lymphocyte proliferation. METHODS: The concentration and composition of plasma FFAs were measured in nine RA patients at the conclusion of a 7 day fast. A FFA mixture was made up based on these findings (20% linoleic, 43% oleic, 10% stearic, 27% palmitic acid). Mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferative responses were measured after co-culture of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy individuals in the presence of increasing concentrations of this FFA mixture (from 0 to 2000 microM) and in the presence of FFA mixtures where the relative proportions of fatty acids varied. RESULTS: Both the concentration of the FFA mixture and the ratio between the unsaturated and saturated fatty acids significantly influenced in vitro lymphocyte proliferation (P<0.0001). Unexpectedly, the highest concentrations of the FFA mixture increased lymphocyte proliferation. At equimolar concentrations (600 microM), manipulating the amounts of oleic and linoleic fatty acids relative to stearic and palmitic fatty acids had a potent inhibitory effect upon lymphocyte proliferation. CONCLUSION: Fasting-associated increases in total plasma FFA concentrations do not inhibit, but rather enhance, in vitro lymphocyte proliferation. An inhibitory effect could only be achieved by manipulating the balance between the unsaturated and saturated fatty acids.