Effect of breathing 100% oxygen on retinal and optic nerve head capillary blood flow in smokers and non-smokers

AIM—The effect of breathing 100% oxygen on retinal and optic nerve head capillary blood flow in smokers and non-smokers was investigated using scanning laser Doppler flowmetry (SLDF) as a new non-invasive method to visualise and quantify ocular blood flow.
METHOD—10 eyes of 10 young healthy non-smoking volunteers (mean age 26 (SD 3) years) and nine eyes of nine young healthy smoking volunteers (mean age 26 (4) years) were investigated. All participants were asked not to smoke or consume caffeine containing drinks for at least 4 hours before the measurements. Blood flow measurements were performed before and after 100% oxygen was applied to the subjects through a mask over a period of 5 minutes (6 litres per minute). Juxtapapillary retinal and optic nerve head blood flow were determined in arbitrary units using SLDF representing a combination of laser Doppler flowmetry and a scanning laser system allowing visualisation and quantification of the retinal and optic nerve head blood flow. Blood flow was determined in an area of 100 µm × 100 µm. The level of carboxyhaemoglobin was determined in all subjects. A Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test (non-parametric) was used for statistical evaluation.
RESULTS—In the non-smoking group, retinal `flow' was reduced by 33% (p = 0.005), optic nerve head `flow' by 37% (p = 0.005). In the smoking group retinal flow was reduced by 10% (p = 0.01), optic nerve head flow by 13% (p <0.008). The difference in reactivity to oxygen breathing between smokers and non-smokers was highly significant (p <0.00001). Increased carboxyhaemoglobin levels were not found in either of the groups. A significant reduction of the mean arterial blood pressure of 6% (5%) (p <0.02) was observed in the non-smoking group after administration of oxygen.
CONCLUSION—These results indicate that hyperoxia leads to a decrease in capillary blood flow of the retina and optic nerve head secondary to vasoconstriction, and that smokers do not respond to oxygen breathing as non-smokers do. The findings might be based on factors such as long term effects of nicotine on the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system.

     

Labyrinth Exploration, Emotional Reactivity, and Conditioned Fear in Young Roman/Verh Inbred Rats

An inbreeding program has been carried out with the Swiss sublines of Roman high- and low-avoidance rats since 1993. The present study reports the first experiments conducted with young animals of those inbred strains (RHA-I/Verh and RLA-I/Verh, respectively) from the sixth and seventh inbreeding generations. The results confirmed expected behavioral profiles. Compared to the RHA-I/Verh strain, RLA-I/Verh rats showed decreased entries into the illuminated central arena of an hexagonal tunnel maze, as well as decreased spontaneous locomotor activity and increased defecations, in two independent experiments. Young RLA-I/Verh females explored less than did their RHA-I/Verh counterparts during session 1 of a conditioned-fear experiment preceding shock administration, and in session 2 (conducted 24 h after the application of three footshocks), they showed greater conditioned behavioral inhibition (i.e., reduced amount of rearing), as well as higher defecation scores, than did RHA-I/Verh females.Karl Bättig tragically and unexpectedly died on December 27, 1996     

Suppression of hepatic fatty acid oxidation and food intake in men

We investigated the effects of the fatty acid oxidation inhibitor etomoxir (ETO) on food intake and on fat and carbohydrate metabolism in two double-blind crossover studies in male, normal-weight subjects. In study 1, ETO (75 mg [+]-racemate) or placebo was given orally 30 min after completion of a standardized, fat-enriched (total energy: 2698 kJ, 40% from fat) lunch. The subjects (n = 15) were isolated from external time cues and free to choose when to eat dinner from an oversized serving (total energy: 6656 kJ, 60% from fat). In study 2, subjects (n = 13) were selected for habitually high fat intake (mean: 44% of energy intake). ETO (150 mg) or placebo was given after an overnight fast, 2.5 h before offering an oversized high fat breakfast (6960 kJ, 72% from fat). In both studies, blood samples were taken and the respiratory quotient (RQ) was measured several times during each test period. In study 1, ETO (75 mg) did not affect the timing and size of the dinner or subjective feelings of hunger and satiety. Although ETO (75 mg) did not affect the RQ, it decreased plasma beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and increased plasma lactate compared with placebo. Plasma triacylglycerols (TG), free fatty acids (FFA), glucose, and insulin were not affected by ETO. In study 2, ETO (150 mg) enhanced hunger feelings and increased the size of the breakfast by 22.7%. ETO did not affect the RQ, but baseline RQ was lower in study 2 than in study 1 (0.83 versus 0.89, P < 0.01). Compared with placebo, ETO (150 mg) decreased plasma BHB and increased plasma FFA and plasma lactate. Baseline plasma concentrations of BHB, FFA, and lactate were higher in study 2 than in study 1 (BHB: 242 versus 81 mumol/L, P < 0.001; FFA: 0.674 versus 0.406 mmol/L, P < 0.01; lactate: 1.08 versus 0.74 mmol/L, P < 0.05). Plasma concentrations of TG, glucose, and insulin were not affected by ETO. The results suggest that inhibition of hepatic fatty acid oxidation stimulates eating in men when baseline fatty acid oxidation is sufficiently high and markedly suppressed by the treatment.     

Glucose and leucine kinetics in idiopathic ketotic hypoglycaemia.

AIMS: To investigate glucose and leucine kinetics in association with metabolic and endocrine investigations in children with ketotic hypoglycaemia (KH) in order to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology. METHODS: Prospective interventional study using stable isotope tracer in nine children (mean age 4.23 years, range 0.9-9.8 years; seven males) with KH and 11 controls (mean age 4.57 years, range 0.16-12.3 years; four males). RESULTS: Plasma insulin levels were significantly lower in KH compared to subjects in the non-KH group. Plasma ketone body levels were significantly higher in KH than in non-KH. Basal metabolic rate was significantly higher in subjects with KH (45.48+/-7.41 v 31.81+/-6.72 kcal/kg/day) but the respiratory quotients were similar in both groups (KH v non-KH, 0.84+/-0.05 v 0.8+/-0.04. Leucine oxidation rates were significantly lower in children with KH (12.25+/-6.25 v 31.96+/-8.59 micromol/kg/h). Hepatic glucose production rates were also significantly lower in KH (3.84+/-0.46 v 6.6+/-0.59 mg/kg/min). CONCLUSIONS: KH is caused by a failure to sustain hepatic glucose production rather than by increased glucose oxidation rates. Energy demand is significantly increased, whereas leucine oxidation is reduced.     

Anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome protein Cdc27 is a target for curcumin-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

Background  

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), the yellow pigment in the Asian spice turmeric, is a hydrophobic polyphenol from the rhizome of Curcuma longa. Because of its chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential with no discernable side effects, it has become one of the major natural agents being developed for cancer therapy. Accumulating evidence suggests that curcumin induces cell death through activation of apoptotic pathways and inhibition of cell growth and proliferation. The mitotic checkpoint, or spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC), is the major cell cycle control mechanism to delay the onset of anaphase during mitosis. One of the key regulators of the SAC is the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) which ubiquitinates cyclin B and securin and targets them for proteolysis. Because APC/C not only ensures cell cycle arrest upon spindle disruption but also promotes cell death in response to prolonged mitotic arrest, it has become an attractive drug target in cancer therapy.     

Effect of concurrent vitamin a and iodine deficiencies on the thyroid-pituitary axis in rats.

Objective: Deficiencies of vitamin A and iodine are common in many developing countries. Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) may adversely affect thyroid metabolism. The study aim was to investigate the effects of concurrent vitamin A and iodine deficiencies on the thyroid-pituitary axis in rats. Design: Weanling rats (n = 56) were fed diets deficient in vitamin A (VAD group), iodine (ID group), vitamin A and iodine (VAD + ID group), or sufficient in both vitamin A and iodine (control) for 30 days in a pair-fed design. Serum retinol (SR), thyroid hormones (FT(4), TT(4), FT(3), and TT(3)), serum thyrotropin (TSH), pituitary TSHbeta mRNA expression levels, and thyroid weights were determined at the end of the depletion period. Main outcome: Compared to the control and ID groups, SR concentrations were about 35% lower in the VAD and VAD + ID groups (p < 0.001), indicating moderate VA deficiency. Comparing the VAD and control groups, there were no significant differences in TSH, TSHbeta mRNA, thyroid weight, or thyroid hormone levels. Compared to the control group, serum TSH, TSHbeta mRNA, and thyroid weight were higher (p < 0.05), and FT4 and TT4 were lower (p < 0.001), in the VAD + ID and ID groups. Compared to the ID group, TSH, TSHbeta mRNA, and thyroid weight were higher (p < 0.01) and FT(4) and TT(4) were lower (p < 0.001) in the VAD + ID group. There were no significant differences in TT3 or FT3 concentrations among groups. Conclusion: Moderate VAD alone has no measurable effect on the pituitary-thyroid axis. Concurrent ID and VAD produce more severe primary hypothyroidism than ID alone.     

Traumatic aortic and mitral valve injury following blunt chest injury with a variable clinical course

Blunt trauma is uncommonly followed by intracardiac valvar injuries. The resulting valvar insufficiency rapidly or progressively leads to congestive heart failure or death unless surgically corrected. Three patients with sustained blunt chest trauma were found to have two aortic valve and one mitral valve ruptures. They had variable clinical courses. However, after the diagnosis was established, surgical intervention was attempted promptly, which consisted of two aortic valve replacements and one mitral valvoplasty. Their postoperative courses were uneventful. Careful observation and repeated physical examination, aided by echocardiography, were required after the blunt chest trauma.     

Augmenting muscle diacylglycerol and triacylglycerol content by blocking fatty acid oxidation does not impede insulin sensitivity

A low fat oxidative capacity has been linked to muscle diacylglycerol (DAG) accumulation and insulin resistance. Alternatively, a low fat oxidation rate may stimulate glucose oxidation, thereby enhancing glucose disposal. Here, we investigated whether an ethyl-2-[6-(4-chlorophenoxy)hexyl]-oxirane-2-carboxylate (etomoxir)-induced inhibition of fat oxidation leads to muscle fat storage and insulin resistance. An intervention in healthy male subjects was combined with studies in human primary myotubes. Furthermore, muscle DAG and triacylglycerol (TAG), mitochondrial function, and insulin signaling were examined in etomoxir-treated C57bl6 mice. In humans, etomoxir administration increased glucose oxidation at the expense of fat oxidation. This effect was accompanied by an increased abundance of GLUT4 at the sarcolemma and a lowering of plasma glucose levels, indicative of improved glucose homeostasis. In mice, etomoxir injections resulted in accumulation of muscle TAG and DAG, yet improved insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. Also in human myotubes, insulin signaling was improved by etomoxir, in the presence of increased intramyocellular lipid accumulation. These insulin-sensitizing effects in mice and human myotubes were accompanied by increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our results show that a reduction in fat oxidation leading to accumulation of muscle DAG does not necessarily lead to insulin resistance, as the reduction in fat oxidation may activate AMPK.     

Current perspectives on behavioural and cellular mechanisms of illness anorexia

Here we review our current understanding of the integration of immune, neural, metabolic and endocrine signals involved in the generation of anorexia during acute infection, with the focus on anorexia elicited by peripheral administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We chose to limit this review to peripheral LPS-anorexia because the mechanisms underlying this response may also be valid for anorexia during other types of acute or chronic infections, with slight differences in the duration of anorexia, levels of circulating concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and hypermetabolism. Evidence so far indicates that LPS-anorexia is a complex response beneficial to host defence that involves both peripheral and central action of pro-inflammatory cytokines, other immune factors, such as prostanoids, and neurotransmitters, such as serotonin. One interesting characteristic of LPS-anorexia is its sexual differentiation, an aspect mainly mediated by the gonadal hormone estradiol. Understanding the behavioural and molecular mechanisms of LPS-anorexia may even provide useful leads for identifying mechanisms of eating disorders in humans.