Evidence Of Altered Metabolism Research Articles

Perilipin 1 and adipophilin immunoexpression suggests the presence of lipid droplets in tooth germ, ameloblastoma, and ameloblastic carcinoma.

Increased lipogenesis and lipid droplet accumulation are observed in diverse tumors, and these processes are associated with poor prognosis in several tumors, representing potential therapeutic targets. The presence of lipid droplets in odontogenic tissues and/or tumors is unknown. Immunohistochemistry for perilipin 1 and adipophilin was performed in 12 human tooth germs (TG), 27 conventional ameloblastoma (AM), and 8 ameloblastic carcinoma (AC) samples. Cytoplasmic staining was analyzed using an immunoreactive score (IRS), and the results were compared for the TG, AM, and AC samples by Kruskal-Wallis test followed by Dunn's post-test and confirmed by Mann-Whitney U test. Perilipin 1 was negative in 91.7% of the TG samples, positive in 48.2% of the AM samples, and positive in 87.5% of the AC samples. Adipophilin was positive in 100% of the TG samples, 92.6% of the AM samples, and 100% of the AC samples. The perilipin 1 and adipophilin IRS revealed statistically significant differences between the TG, AM, and AC samples (p=.007 and p=.018, respectively). The perilipin 1 levels among the TG and AC samples were statically significant (**p=.0085), as well as the adipophilin levels when TG and AM samples were compared (**p<.0029). Adipophilin exhibits significant activity in human tooth development. The immunoexpression of perilipin 1 and adipophilin in the AM and AC samples suggests the presence of lipid droplets, providing further evidence of metabolic alterations in these tumors. Additional studies with larger samples and alternative techniques are necessary to confirm these findings.

Supplementation of OmniGen-AF improves the metabolic response to a glucose tolerance test in beef heifers.

This study determined whether feeding the immunomodulating supplement, OmniGen-AF, to feedlot heifers would alter metabolic profiles to a glucose tolerance test. Heifer calves (n = 32; 217 ± 2 kg) were allocated into two treatment diets: 1) Control, fed a standard receiving ration, and 2) OmniGen, fed the Control diet supplemented with OmniGen at 4.54 g/45 kg BW/d. Heifers were fed for 42 d. On d 42, Heifers were processed through a working facility for placement of indwelling jugular catheters. After these procedures, heifers were moved into individual stanchions in an enclosed barn and all heifers were fed their treatment diets at 1400 h. All orts were removed at 2000 h to allow for a 12-h fast prior to first blood collection. The following day, heifers were administered 0.5 mL/kg BW of a 50% dextrose solution at 0900 h (0 min). Blood samples were collected for serum isolation at -60, -45, -30, -15, 0, 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, and 150 min relative to bolus dextrose infusion. Serum was stored at -80 oC until analyzed for cortisol, glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) and urea N concentrations. There was a treatment × time interaction for post-challenge cortisol (P = 0.004) such that cortisol was greater in OmniGen heifers than Control heifers from 10- to 45- min post-infusion. Glucose concentrations increased post-infusion (P < 0.01) and were reduced in OmniGen compared to Control heifers at 10-, 45-, and 90-min after challenge (treatment × time P < 0.001). Similarly, there was a treatment × time interaction for post-challenge insulin concentrations (P = 0.04) such that insulin was greater in OmniGen-fed heifers than Control heifers from 10 to 30 min. In addition, there was a treatment × time interaction (P = 0.01) for NEFA concentrations such that concentrations were reduced in OmniGen-supplemented heifers from 10 to 30 min following administration of the dextrose bolus. Serum urea N concentrations were greater in Control heifers at 150 min compared to OmniGen-fed heifers (post-challenge treatment × time interaction: P < 0.001). These data suggest that OmniGen-fed heifers were more responsive to changes in glucose, perhaps affecting the storage and/or redistribution of energy deposits and provide further evidence for altered metabolism in OmniGen-supplemented cattle. The differences observed may explain differences observed in the immune response in OmniGen-supplemented calves.

Altered Sulfur Amino Acid Metabolism In Immune Cells of Children Diagnosed With Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a behaviorally defined neurodevelopmental disorder whose etiology is poorly understood. Recent studies have shown that autistic children may be experiencing increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Altered immune regulation may be one contributing factor to inflammation and oxidative stress in autistic children. Sulfur amino acid (SAA) metabolism plays a critical role in regulating blood leukocyte functions and oxidative stress. However, it is not known whether autism impacts SAA metabolism in peripheral immune cells. To address this question, a novel liquid chromatography linked tandem mass spectrometric (LC/MS/MS) method was used to determine the levels of SAA metabolites in peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from 11 healthy controls and 31 autistic children. Improved detection sensitivity and selectivity of the LC/MS/MS method allowed accurate quantification using small samples. Results show that leukocytes from autistic children contained significantly lower concentrations of S-adenosylmethionine (-35%; p = 0.01), and elevated levels of intracellular homocysteine content (+80%; p=0.003). Additionally, the levels of intracellular total cysteine and glutathione (GSH) were reduced by 39% (p=0.004) and 25% (p=0.01), respectively. These autism-associated changes were leukocyte specific in that no significant alterations in SAA metabolite concentrations were detected in the plasma samples. Our results provide novel evidence for altered metabolism in immune cells; furthermore, this data suggest the involvement of inflammation in autism. Dietary differences between controls and patients, however, remain a potential confounder.

Calcinosis cutis: a propósito de un caso

We present the case of a woman of 72 years with high blood pressure evaluated in Surgery Outpatient Unit for overinfected and recurring pretibial cutaneous ulcers. In the radiographies of the extremity, calcifications were observed in soft parts and the biopsy showed calcified subepidermic nodules. Because of these findings, she was sent to Internal Medicine Consultations to complete the study. In the anamnesis, traumatism in the zone was ruled out, and was there consumption of calcium or phosphorous rich medicines; the physical exploration was normal, except for the lesions described previously. A study was requested to rule out any underlying pathology that might justify the clinical picture, without a possible etiological pathological cause in evidence. Given that the cutaneous calcinosis of the patient was not secondary to titular lesions, nor was there evidence of metabolic alterations or medical procedures that might justify it, and no lesions at another level were found, the diagnosis was established of idiopathic localised cutaneous calcinosis. It was treated with diltiazem.

Effects of naphthalene metabolites on cultured cells from eye lens

Naphthalene is toxic to the eye and results in opacification of the lens. To investigate the metabolic events that may be occurring in the lens epithelial cells, a cell line of lens from a transgenic mouse was incubated with various metabolites of naphthalene. Naphthoquinone at 50 μM was toxic to most cells with a depletion of glutathione levels noted within 6 h of incubation. At 10 μM, naphthoquinone caused an increase in specific activity of the enzyme DT-diaphorase. This enzyme is thought to be a defense against quinones since semiquinone formation is thought to be lessened. Naphthalene-1,2-dihydrodiol at 50 μM also caused an increase in the specific activity of the DT-diaphorase, while at 10 μM no apparent change occurred in the cells. Although there was evidence of metabolic alterations in the cells with the metabolites of naphthalene, the protein profile by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis did not change and there was no indication of an increase in carbonyl formation in the soluble proteins of the cells. These experiments indicate that the metabolites of naphthalene can cause alteration in the metabolism of the lens cells but may not cause apparent changes in the major proteins within the lens epithelium.