Total Molecular Weight Research Articles

Change of serum total and high molecular weight adiponectin levels in type 2 diabetic patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of serum total and high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW APN) levels in type 2 diabetic patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods Serum levels of total adiponectin and HMW APN were measured by ELISA,in 58 type 2 diabetic patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (T2DM with NAFLD group),59 type 2 diabetic patients without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (T2DM group),and 55 control subjects with normal glucose tolerance and without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NC group).Results (1) Alanine transaminase and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in T2DM with NAFLD group than those in NC group(P＜0.01),while body mass index (BMI),aspartate aminotransferase,triglyceride (TG),and fasting insulin were also significantly increased (P＜0.05 or P＜ 0.01),and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were significantly decreased compared with those in NC and T2DM groups (P＜0.01).(2) Total adiponectin,HMW APN,and the ratio of HMW APN to total adiponectin in T2DM group were lower than those in NC group.Total adiponectin and HMW APN levels in T2DM with NAFLD group were significantly lower than those in T2DM group(P＜0.01).(3) Regression analysis showed that homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR),TG,and HDL-C levels were independent predicting factors for total adiponectin and HMW APN levels.TG and BMI were independent risk factors for T2DM complicated with NAFLD,while total adiponectin and HMW APN levels were the protective ones (OR =0.701,0.489,respectively).Conclusions Hypoadiponectinemia may partially play an important role in the development and progression of NAFLD in T2DM. Key words: Adiponectin, high molecular weight ; Diabetes mellitus, type 2 ; Fatty liver, non-alcoholic

Total and high molecular weight adiponectin levels and risk of cardiovascular disease in individuals with high blood glucose levels

ObjectiveThe association of adiponectin levels with cardiovascular disease (CVD) may vary by age and health condition. It is unknown whether adiponectin predicts CVD events among individuals with high blood glucose levels. MethodsWe conducted a nested case–control study among 15,566 men and women aged 40–85 years from four communities, who were free of CVD at baseline. During 192,181 person-years of follow-up, 117 individuals subsequently developed coronary heart disease or ischemic stroke and had high plasma glucose concentrations (fasting/nonfasting ≥ 5.6/7.2 mmol/L or treated) at baseline. Controls were randomly selected at a 2:1 ratio and matched for sex, age, blood glucose, year of survey, fasting conditions, and community (n = 234). Baseline total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin and their ratio were examined for total subjects and the association with CVD was compared between ages of 40–69 and 70–85 years. ResultsAfter adjustment for matched variables and traditional risk factors, total and HMW adiponectin and their ratio were not associated with overall risk of CVD. However, significant interactions of the associations between the age groups were found. The highest quartile for HMW adiponectin and HMW/total adiponectin ratio decreased risk of CVD compared with the lowest quartile among middle-aged individuals (multivariable-adjusted odds ratio = 0.33 [95%CI, 0.13–0.83] and 0.47 [0.22–0.98], respectively), while this association was not seen among the elderly. ConclusionsHigh HMW adiponectin levels may decrease the risk of CVD in middle-aged adults with high blood glucose.

Abstract P291: Adipocytokines, Lipoproteins & Obesity Among Black & White Postmenopausal Women from the Women’s Health Initiative

Background: Despite the prevalence of severe obesity, particularly among women and African-American women, there is little data on CV risk factor differences across the BMI spectrum including extreme obesity. Methods: Participants were 1200 black and white postmenopausal women sampled from the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study according to BMI categories and waist circumference tertiles: 300 black and 300 white women with BMI 40-65 kg/m 2 and 75 black and 75 white women in BMI categories 8.5-<25, 25-<30, 30-<35 and 35-<40 kg/m 2 . Using stored baseline serum, total and high molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, leptin, ghrelin and insulin were measured by immunoassay; plasma lipoproteins and subclasses were measured by NMR spectroscopy. Race-ethnicity differences were tested in linear regression models adjusted for age, diabetes, BMI, waist, hip, hormone therapy and lipid-lowering medication. Results: Compared with white women, black women had lower levels of total and HMW adiponectin and ghrelin, and higher levels of insulin and leptin. Despite similar levels of total LDL particles (LDL-P), black women had lower levels of small LDL-P and higher levels of large LDL-P and larger mean LDL size. Levels of large HDL particles (HDL-P) and small HDL-P were also similar for black and white women, but black women had lower levels of total and medium HDL-P and larger mean HDL particle size. Black women also had lower levels of total, large, medium and small VLDL particles (VLDL-P) which increased little across BMI category, such that mean levels of total or large VLDL-P among black women with BMI≥ 40 kg/m 2 were lower than white women of normal BMI (<25 kg/m 2 ) (Figure). Among white, but not black women, total LDL-P was higher and total HDL-P was lower with higher BMI category (Figure). Conclusions: Among postmenopausal women of similar BMI and waist circumference, black women have lower levels of ghrelin and total and HMW adiponectin, but better lipoprotein levels that are less related to obesity compared with white women.

The effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D on insulin sensitivity in obesity: is it mediated via adiponectin?

There has been substantial recent interest in using vitamin D to improve insulin sensitivity and preventing/delaying diabetes in those at risk. There is little consensus on the physiological mechanisms and whether the association is direct or indirect through enhanced production of insulin-sensitising chemicals, including adiponectin. We examined cross-sectional associations between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index), parathyroid hormone (PTH), waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, HMW : total adiponectin ratio (HMW : total adiponectin), and total cholesterol : HDL cholesterol ratio (TC:HDL cholesterol) in 137 Caucasian adults of mean age 43.3 ± 8.3 years and BMI 38.8 ± 6.9 kg/m(2). Total adiponectin (standardised β = 0.446; p < 0.001), waist circumference (standardised β = -0.216; p < 0.05), BMI (standardised β = -0.212; p < 0.05), and age (standardised β = -0.298; p < 0.001) were independently associated with insulin sensitivity. Serum 25(OH)D (standardised β = 0.114; p = 0.164) was not associated with insulin sensitivity, total or HMW adiponectin, HMW : total adiponectin, or lipids. Our results provide the novel finding that 25(OH)D is not associated with HMW adiponectin or HMW : total adiponectin in nondiabetic, obese adults and support the lack of association between 25(OH)D and lipids noted by others in similar groups of patients.

Facile synthesis for well-defined A2B miktoarm star copolymer of poly(3-hexylthiophene) and poly(methyl methacrylate) by the combination of anionic polymerization and click reaction

We have introduced a facile synthetic route for well-defined A2B miktoarm star copolymer composed of regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene) and poly(methyl methacrylate) ((P3HT)2PMMA) by the combination of anionic polymerization and click reaction. First, we synthesized PMMA terminated with 1,3,5-tris(bromomethyl)benzene (PMMA-(Br)2) by anionic polymerization, and two bromines attached to the end of the PMMA chains were replaced by azides (PMMA-(N3)2). Also, monoethynyl-capped P3HT was synthesized by Grignard metathesis polymerization and post-end functionalization. Then, copper(I)-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition click reaction between monoethynyl-capped P3HT and PMMA-(N3)2 was performed to synthesize (P3HT)2PMMA. We used a slightly excess amount of monoethynyl-capped P3HT so that all of the azide groups at the end of the PMMA chains completely reacted with monoethynyl-capped P3HT. After complete removal of unreacted monoethynyl-capped P3HT by column chromatography, pure (P3HT)2PMMA with narrow molecular weight distribution (the polydispersity of 1.18) was obtained. The weight fraction of P3HT and the total molecular weight of (P3HT)2PMMA are 0.48 and 16,000, respectively. To investigate the effect of the chain architecture on optical property and thin-film morphology, we synthesized two linear P3HT-b-PMMAs (P3HT-b-PMMA-L and P3HT-b-PMMA-H) with similar weight fraction of P3HT block (0.48 for P3HT-b-PMMA-L and 0.45 for P3HT-b-PMMA-H) but two different total molecular weights (7900 for P3HT-b-PMMA-L and 15,300 for P3HT-b-PMMA-H). UV–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectrum and the fibril width of (P3HT)2PMMA thin film were similar to those of P3HT-b-PMMA-L thin film. However, UV–vis spectrum for P3HT-b-PMMA-H thin film was red-shifted and the fibril width of P3HT-b-PMMA-H was much larger than that of (P3HT)2PMMA. This indicates that the π–π interaction between P3HT arms in (P3HT)2PMMA is strong enough to arrange two P3HT backbone chains in (P3HT)2PMMA to stack one by one along the nanofibril axis. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013

Effects of pravastatin on serum adiponectin levels in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ObjectivePravastatin has been reported to elevate circulating adiponectin levels in patients with various insulin resistant state, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and hypercholesterolemia. This study aimed to evaluate whether pravastatin increase serum total and high molecular weight adiponectin levels and improve insulin sensitivity in female patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia. Patients and designThis study was designed as a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled, factorial randomized trial (placebo and pravastatin at 20 or 40 mg per day). A total of 73 female patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia were enrolled. Changes in total and high molecular weight (HMW) serum adiponectin levels, the ratio of HMW adiponectin to total adiponectin, insulin sensitivity measured by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and lipid profiles were evaluated after 16 weeks in each group. ResultsTotal cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels were significantly reduced after 16 weeks in the pravastatin 20 mg and 40 mg treatment groups compared with the placebo group (P = 0.008 and P = 0.004, respectively). However, there were no significant differences between the 20 mg and 40 mg pravastatin treatment groups in terms of total adiponectin and HMW adiponectin serum levels, as well as insulin sensitivity (P = 0.348 and P = 0.991). ConclusionsIn female patients with type 2 diabetes and hypercholesterolemia, 16 weeks pravastatin therapy did not affect on serum total adiponectin or HMW adiponectin levels.

Independent associations of total and high molecular weight adiponectin with cardiometabolic risk and surrogate markers of enhanced early atherogenesis in black and white patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study.

IntroductionWhether adiponectin levels associate with atherogenesis in RA is uncertain. We examined the independent relationships of total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin concentrations with cardiometabolic risk and surrogate markers of enhanced early atherogenesis in black and white patients with RA.MethodsWe determined total and HMW adiponectin concentrations and those of endothelial activation molecules including soluble E-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), in 210 (119 black and 91 white) RA patients. Associations were determined in potential confounder and mediator adjusted mixed regression models.ResultsTotal and HMW adiponectin concentrations related similarly to metabolic risk factors and endothelial activation. In all patients, total and HMW adiponectin concentrations associated paradoxically with high systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure (partial R = 0.155 to 0.241, P ≤0.03). Ethnic origin did not impact on these relationships (interaction P ≥0.09). Total and HMW adiponectin concentrations associated with those of glucose in white and black patients respectively (partial R = -0.304, P = 0.006 and -0.246, P = 0.01). In black but not white participants, total and HMW adiponectin concentrations also related favorably to lipid profiles (partial R = 0.292 to 0.360, P ≤0.003 for HDL cholesterol concentrations, -0.269 to -0.299, P ≤0.006 for triglyceride concentrations and -0.302 to -0.390, P ≤0.002 for total-HDL cholesterol ratio) and the number of metabolic risk factors (partial R = -0.210 to -0.238, P ≤0.03). In white but not black patients, total and HMW adiponectin concentrations associated paradoxically with overall endothelial activation as estimated by a standard z-score of endothelial activation molecule concentrations (partial R = 0.262, P = 0.01 and 0.252, P = 0.02); in the respective models, the extent of effect of total and HMW adiponectin concentrations on endothelial activation was larger in white compared to black participants (standardized β (SE) = 0.260 (0.107) versus -0.106 (0.107), P = 0.01 and 0.260 (0.120) versus -0.100 (0.111), P = 0.02). The HMW-total adiponectin ratio related inconsistently to metabolic risk factors and not to endothelial activation.ConclusionIn this study, total and HMW adiponectin concentrations associated with increased blood pressure parameters, and in white patients additionally with endothelial activation. The potential mechanism(s) underlying these paradoxical relationships between adiponectin concentrations and cardiovascular risk in RA merit further investigation.

Interfacial Behavior of Food Proteins

Proteins are constituted of amino acids that are linked with each other in a defined sequence and through peptide bonds to form polypeptide chains, containing up to hundreds of amino acids. Proteins are typically present in emulsions and foams, and they show an edible interfacial complex. The major challenges for food technologists are the association between the interfacial properties of proteins, and their emulsifying/foaming properties or stability of the emulsion or foam. Generally, the main reasons of proteins being good agents forming foam are: they are strongly adsorbed at the interface gas-liquid; promote good steric and electrostatic stability, the films formed have cohesive structure with a high module of rheological interface due to interactions between the adsorbed molecules. Due to non polar amino acids the proteins are adsorbed on gas-liquid interface since they have hydrophobic regions. The interfacial rheology is an indirect way for obtaining this information, determining the rate and the ratio in which the proteins are adsorbed. Interactions between proteins and other components in the liquid phase increase the total molecular weight, reducing the adsorption interactions, while others affect the activity in the interface. Many researchers still consider rheological measurements of the interface an option to understand the mechanism of formation and stability of many products such as bubbles. This manuscript provides an overview of the protein behavior at surfaces and interfaces of food systems.

Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(tetrahydrofuran)-poly(ethylene glycol) triblock copolymer : Synthesis, crystallization behavior and novel morphology

Poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(tetrahydrofuran)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PTHF-PEG) triblock copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide using sodium alcoholate of PTHF as the macroinitiator. Its crystallization behavior and formation mechanisms of different crystal structures were studied. The study showed that the molecular weight of PEG-PTHF-PEG exhibited a significant effect on its crystallization: that is, with the increase of the copolymer's molecular weight, the crystallizability of PTHF blocks decreased gradually, which led to the transition of copolymer from crystalline-crystalline to crystalline-amorphous. By adjusting the total molecular weight of triblock copolymer, the crystallization process can be effectively controlled, and as a result, different spherulite structures were obtained. Particularly, when PTHF blocks became amorphous, novel double concentric spherulites were observed. The morphological structures were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), polarized optical microscopy (POM), and its crystalline process was investi- gated.

New Bacteria Bacillus nitroreducens PLC9 with Hydrogen Peroxide-Degrading Activity with High Survival Rate in Hydrogen Peroxide

Bacteria were isolated from wastewater containing highly concentrated hydrogen peroxide that had been used to clean the pure water delivery system in a semiconductor plant. One bacterium was selected for its high hydrogen peroxide degradation activity. In the presence of 1% hydrogen peroxide, it degraded 72.5% in 5 min. It showed 100% viability after 6 h at 1% hydrogen peroxide. Even at 3% hydrogen peroxide, it survived for more than 6 h. This bacterium was named as Bacillus nitroreducens PLC9 since its 16S rRNA showed 100% similarity with the recently reported new species B. nitroreducens. Purified catalase from B. nitroreducens PLC9 was characterized as a thermo-alkali-stable hydroperoxidase type II catalase, and it is suggested as a new type of catalase based on following: (1) it is stable over a broad pH range (pH 4-11); (2) it is consisted of homodimers with a molecular weight of 66 kDa (total molecular weight, 134 kDa); (3) its activity was not inhibited by 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole; and (4) its N-terminal sequence has never been reported before. Both B. nitroreducens PLC9 and the isolated catalase can be used for efficient degradation of hydrogen peroxide at high concentrations.

The Mitochondria Free Iron Content to Limit an Isotope Effect of 25Mg2+ in ATP Synthesis: A caution

Sir: The Mg-promoted magnetic isotope effect (MIE), that is a nuclear spin selective over-activation of mitochondrial ATP synthesis by Mg nuclei, has been first discovered and originally described in a pioneer work by Buchachenko et al. [1] published in Cell Biochem. Biophys. back in 2005. Since then, a number of subsequent studies were uncovering some details of its ion–radical mechanism [2–5] with emphasize on potential medicinal applications due to both in vitro and in vivo experiments [6–9]. Obviously, a nuclear–magnetic control over the metal dependent enzymatic catalysis might be affected by traces of any other than Mg magnetic (paramagnetic, ferromagnetic) bivalent cations. In general, a possibility of the nucleotide phosphorylation dysfunctions caused by changes in intra-mitochondrial free metal cations pool was in fact ‘‘stated for alert’’ long ago [10]. As per the role of iron as a powerful suppressor for Mg-MIE in the nucleotidyl kinases directed ATP formation, this became clear just recently [5, 11]. Being attractive to pharmacologists [4, 6–8] and biotechnologists [12], Mg-MIE deserves to be specifically tested for its dependence on iron traces in situ. So we have investigated a correlation between the contents of free Fe in mitochondria isolated from several rat tissues (iron– lacking media employed), and the ATP synthesis rates estimated using these mitochondria in vitro respiration systems [13] in the presence of optimal (20 mM MgCl2) concentrations of either magnetic (Mg) or non-magnetic (Mg) ions [1, 3]. Both A grade isotopes with the enrichment level of not less than 96.4 % were purchased from Gamma Lab SA (Alicante, Spain). ATP synthesis rates were estimated by [p] orthophosphate (6.78–8.45 Ci/mmol, Amersham Radiochemical Centre, UK) incorporation in to de novo synthesized ATP [1] in the in vitro ‘‘breathing’’ mitochondria [13]. Mitochondria were isolated from the following rat tissues: spleen [14], liver [15], skeletal muscles [16], heart muscle [17], kidneys [18], and brain [19]. To get the intra– mitochondrial free iron pool samples, the pre-washed mitochondria pellets were first subjected to Triton X-100/ acetone treatment and then to a triple acetone–extraction of the total low molecular weight compounds fraction [1]. The resulting samples were used to measure the Fe content values by the energy–dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry with a Fe–Zr performance element range employing the XEPOS–HE analytical system (SPECTRO Analytical Instruments, GmbH, Kleve, Germany). As seen from the data obtained (Table. 1), the endogenous mitochondrial-free iron pool level is no doubt critical for ‘‘turning on–off’’ the Mg-magnetic isotope effect expressing in a whole integrative (unbroken) mitochondria, i.e., within their ATP–synthesizing machinery. A. A. Svistunov Y. K. Napolov A. A. Bukhvostov (&) Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, I. M. Sechenov Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia e-mail: tanzbukh@gmail.com

Short-term effects of fish and fish oil consumption on total and high molecular weight adiponectin levels in overweight and obese adults

ObjectiveFish or fish oil consumption may increase levels of total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, a hormone associated with anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising effects, however it is not known if the effects of the food and supplement are the same. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of consuming fish and fish oil supplements on plasma total and HMW adiponectin concentrations in overweight human participants. Materials/Methods29 overweight and obese participants underwent a two week run-in period, followed by a four week isocaloric dietary intervention which provided 1.8g of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) in the form of either fish or fish oil supplements. Primary outcomes were changes in plasma total and HMW adiponectin. Secondary outcomes were changes in anthropometric variables, plasma insulin and glucose levels, and dietary intakes. ResultsChanges in plasma HMW adiponectin during the intervention period were significantly different between groups (p=0.009). Mean HMW adiponectin increased by 0.29μg/mL in the ‘fish’ group and decreased by 0.60μg/mL in the ‘supplement’ group. There were no significant changes in other anthropometric and biochemical variables. Dietary data suggested the ‘fish’ group significantly increased their fish (p=0.001) and dietary LC n-3 PUFA (p=0.001) consumption over the course of the study. ConclusionsShort-term consumption of fish and fish oil supplements did not have the same effects on HMW adiponectin levels. The impact of fish intake on HMW adiponectin levels may not be mediated by its LC n-3 PUFA content alone.

Studies on immunoregulatory and anti-tumor activities of a polysaccharide from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge

In this study, we purified and characterized a polysaccharide (SMP-W1) from Salvia miltiorrhiza and investigated its anticancer and immunoregulatory potential in vitro and in vivo. The monosaccharide composition, protein content, uronic acid content, total carbohydrate content, viscosity and molecular weight of SMP-W1 were analyzed. In vitro, SMP-W1 had an antiproliferative effect on hepatocellular carcinoma H22 cells, especially at the high concentration of 400μg/ml. Simultaneously the polysaccharide SMP-W1 significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in rats, as well as the secretion of TNF-α. In addition, the body weight, spleen index and thymus index in tumor-bearing mice were significantly improved by SMP-W1 treatment. Taken together, these results indicated that SMP-W1 possessed strong in vivo and in vitro anti-tumor activity and improves the immune response in tumor-bearing mice. Therefore, it could be developed as an anti-tumor agent with immunomodulatory activity.

Adiponectin and All-Cause Mortality in Elderly People With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between serum adiponectin level and all-cause mortality in people with type 2 diabetes. Because of the insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory, and antiatherogenic effects of adiponectin, we hypothesized that higher adiponectin level would be associated with lower all-cause mortality.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSA total of 609 men and women aged 72 ± 6.3 years with type 2 diabetes and information on total and high molecular weight adiponectin were followed for a median of 5 years. The longitudinal association between adiponectin and all-cause mortality was analyzed with Cox proportional hazards models with time from adiponectin measurement to death as the time-to-event variable. Analyses were adjusted for demographic variables and significant diabetes parameters, significant cardiovascular parameters, and significant diabetes medications.RESULTSTotal and high molecular weight adiponectin were highly correlated. The highest adiponectin quartile was strongly associated with higher all-cause mortality compared with the lowest quartile (hazard ratio = 4.0 [95% CI: 1.7–9.2]) in the fully adjusted model. These results did not change in analyses stratified by sex and thiazolidinedione use, after exclusion of people who died within one year of adiponectin measurement, or when change in weight before adiponectin measurement was considered.CONCLUSIONSContrary to our hypothesis, higher adiponectin level was related to higher all-cause mortality. This association was not explained by confounding by other characteristics, including medications or preceding weight loss.

Studying the Polymerization of Aniline on Fullerene

Polyaniline is among a family of conductive polymers, that exhibits properties similar to some metals. Accord- ingly quantum mechanical calculations have been performed to study the possible polymerization of aniline on the surface of fullerene. Several model molecules representing the polymerization of aniline are studied; polymerization is tested with fullerene and fulleropyrrolidine surfaces. Total dipole moment, ionization potential, molecular weight, molecular dimen- sion and molecular point group for C60-aniline and C60- pyrrolidine-aniline have been computed with the semiempirical PM3 method. The molecular point group has changed into C1 point group corresponding to C60 -aniline and C60- pyr- rolidine-aniline, which reflects a change in the symmetry. Results indicate also that polarization increases the calculated total dipole moment, molecular weight and molecular dimension while ionization potential has slightly decreased. Final heat of formation increases with temperature for both C60-aniline and C60-pyrrolidine aniline. This reflects the thermal stability of the polymerized aniline on both fullerene and fulleropyrrolidine. Calculated HOMO-LUMO energy indicate that polyaniline which polymerizes on fullerene is the most probable.

Tularemia progression accompanied with oxidative stress and antioxidant alteration in spleen and liver of BALB/c mice

Francisella tularensis is the causative agent of tularemia. It is an intracellular pathogen with the ability to survive within phagosomes and induce pyroptotic cell death. In this study, we attempted to prove whether oxidative imbalance plays a significant role in tularemia pathogenesis. In our experimental model, we subcutaneously infected female BALB/c mice (dose 10(5) CFU of F. tularensis LVS). Liver, spleen, and blood were collected from mice at regular intervals from days 1-15 after infection. The bacterial burden was assessed by a cultivation test. The burden was unchanging from the 2(nd) to 6(th) day after infection. The bacterial burden corresponded to the plasmatic level of IFN-γ, IL-6, and liver malondialdehyde. After the phase of acute bacteraemia and the innate immunity reaction, the levels of reduced glutathione and total low molecular weight antioxidants decreased significantly and the activity of caspase-3 increased in the liver. The level of reduced glutathione decreased to 25% of the original level, and the total level of low molecular weight antioxidants was less than 50% of the initial amount. The demonstrated effects of tularemia-induced pathology had a more extensive impact on the liver than on the spleen.

Race–ethnic differences in adipokine levels: the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Differences in adipose tissue secretory profile, as measured by adipokine levels, may play a role in race–ethnic disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD). We examined race–ethnic differences in adipokine levels in a group of mid-life Caucasian, African American (AA), Chinese and Japanese women, after accounting for adiposity. Data on 1876 women from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation were analyzed. In multivariable adjustment, including total fat mass, differences in total and high molecular weight (HMW) adiponectin, leptin and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) levels were examined. Despite intermediate levels of adiposity, Caucasian women had higher levels of both total and HMW adiponectin, when compared to both AA and Chinese and Japanese women. After multivariable adjustment, compared to Caucasian women, AA women had significantly lower total (β: −3.40; 95% CI: −4.29, −2.52; P<.001) and HMW adiponectin (β: −0.53; 95% CI: −0.64, −0.43; P<.001) levels, higher leptin levels (β: 3.26; 95% CI: 1.36, 5.16; P<.001) and lower sOB-R levels (β: −0.07; 95% CI: −0.11, −0.03; P<.001). Compared to Caucasian women, both Chinese and Japanese women had lower total (Chinese: β: −5.50; 95% CI: −7.07, −3.93; P<.001; Japanese: β: −5.48; 95% CI: −6.95, −4.02; P<.001) and HMW adiponectin (Chinese: β: −0.57; 95% CI: −0.75, −0.38; P<.001; Japanese: β: −0.61; 95% CI: −0.78, −0.44; P<.001) levels and lower sOB-R levels (Chinese: β: −0.13; 95% CI: −0.20, −0.06; P<.001; Japanese: β: −0.09; 95% CI: −0.15, −0.02; P=.008). Significant race–ethnic differences exist in circulating adipokines, even after accounting for adiposity. Further research is needed to explicitly determine if such differences contribute to known racial differences in CVD risk.

A Protease-Insensitive Feruloyl Esterase from China Holstein Cow Rumen Metagenomic Library: Expression, Characterization, and Utilization in Ferulic Acid Release from Wheat Straw

A metagenomic library of China Holstein cow rumen microbes was constructed and screened for novel gene cluster. A novel feruloyl esterase (FAE) gene was identified with a length of 789 bp and encoded a protein displaying 56% identity to known esterase sequences. The gene was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), and the total molecular weight of the recombined protein was 32.4 kDa. The purified enzyme showed a broad specificity against the four methyl esters of hydroxycinnamic acids and high activity (259.5 U/mg) to methyl ferulate at optimum conditions (pH 8.0, 40 °C). High thermal and pH stability were also observed. Moreover, the enzyme showed broad resistance to proteases. FAE-SH1 can enhance the release of ferulic acid from wheat straw with cellulase, β-1,4-endoxylanase, β-1,3-glucanase, and pectase. These features suggest FAE-SH1 as a good candidate to enhance biomass degradation and improve the health effects of food and forage.

Association of ADIPOQ variants, total and high molecular weight adiponectin levels with coronary artery disease in diabetic and non-diabetic Brazilian subjects

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of ADIPOQ variants, total and high molecular weight adiponectin (HMW) adiponectin levels with the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease (CAD) diagnosed by coronary angiography in Brazilian subjects with high cardiovascular risk. Methods603 subjects undergoing coronary angiography were studied in regard to their glycemic status and presence of CAD (lesions >0%). We evaluated baseline concentrations of total and HMW adiponectin and three ADIPOQ variants: −11391G>A (rs17300539), +45T>G (rs2241766) and+276G>T (rs1501299). ResultsThe G-allele of rs2241766 was associated with higher levels of total and HMW adiponectin, and the A-allele of rs17300539 was associated with higher levels of HMW adiponectin. Lower levels of total and HMW adiponectin were independently associated with CAD. The G-allele of rs2241766 (OR 2.45, 95% C.I. 1.05–6.04, p=0.04) and the G-allele of rs1501299 (OR 1.89, 95% C.I. 1.04–3.45, p=0.03) were associated with CAD, and these associations were independent of circulating levels of adiponectin. ConclusionsIn Brazilian subjects with high cardiovascular risk, CAD was associated with lower total and HMW adiponectin levels. The rs2241766 and rs1501299 polymorphisms were associated with CAD. The rs2241766 variant was associated with total and HMW adiponectin levels, while rs17300539 was associated with HMW adiponectin levels.

Altered Mitochondrial Function and Metabolic Inflexibility Associated with Loss of Caveolin-1

Caveolin-1 is a major structural component of raft structures within the plasma membrane and has been implicated as a regulator of cellular signal transduction with prominent expression in adipocytes. Here, we embarked on a comprehensive characterization of the metabolic pathways dysregulated in caveolin-1 null mice. We found that these mice display decreased circulating levels of total and high molecular weight adiponectin and a reduced ability to change substrate use in response to feeding/fasting conditions. Caveolin-1 null mice are extremely lean but retain muscle mass despite lipodystrophy and massive metabolic dysfunction. Hepatic gluconeogenesis is chronically elevated, while hepatic steatosis is reduced. Our data suggest that the complex phenotype of the caveolin-1 null mouse is caused by altered metabolic and mitochondrial function in adipose tissue with a subsequent compensatory response driven mostly by the liver. This mouse model highlights the central contributions of adipose tissue for system-wide preservation of metabolic flexibility.