Association of anti-obesity activity of N-acetylcysteine with metallothionein-II down-regulation

People with upper body or visceral obesity have a much higher risk of morbidity and mortality from obesity-related metabolic disorders than those with lower body obesity. In an attempt to develop therapeutic strategies targeting visceral obesity, depot- specific differences in the expression of genes in omental and subcutaneous adipose tissues were investigated by DNA array technology, and their roles in adipocyte differentiation were further examined. We found that levels of metallothionein-II (MT-II) mRNA and protein expression were higher in omental than in subcutaneous adipose tissues. The study demonstrates that MT-II may play an important role in adipocyte differentiation of 3T3L1 preadipocytes, and that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) inhibits the adipocyte differentiation of 3T3L1 cells by repressing MT-II in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the intraperitoneal administration of NAC to rats and mice resulted in a reduction of body weights, and a marked reduction in visceral fat tissues. These results suggest that MT-II plays important roles in adipogenesis, and that NAC may be useful as an anti-obesity drug or supplement.

Identification of amyloid beta-peptide responsive genes by cDNA microarray technology: Involvement of RTP801 in amyloid beta-peptide toxicity

Amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta), a causative molecule in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and the main component of senile plaques, is known to be neurotoxic in vitro and in vivo. The mechanisms involved in this Ab-mediated neurotoxicity are not fully understood, although there is evidence to suggest the involvement of oxidative stress, alterations in calcium homeostasis, and/or of CDK activators. Many studies have suggested that Ab may exert its toxic effect via the activation of transcription factors. Therefore, we investigated Ab- responsive genes in human neuroblastoma CHP134 cells using 3.1K human DNA microarrays. Among the several genes overexpressed or repressed by Ab, RTP801, Hi95/sestrin 2, and stanniocalcin 2 were confirmed to be Ab-mediated overexpression in the cells by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Transient expression of the sense RTP801 gene in CHP134 cells increased sensitivity to Abeta cytotoxicity and the expression of the antisense RTP801 gene protected the cells from the Abeta toxicity. These results suggest that RTP801 might play important roles in Abeta toxicity and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Polymorphisms at the Lipoprotein Lipase Gene: Possible Associations with Coronary Artery Disease and Blood Lipid Levels in Koreans / 대한임상병리학회지

BACKGROUND: Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene polymorphisms have been found associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and lipid levels, but their impact is less clearly established. The analysis of associations of LPL gene polymorphisms with CAD and lipid levels in Koreans was investigated. METHODS: Analysis of PvuII (intron 6), HindIII (intron 8), and Ser447-Ter (exon 9) polymorphisms of LPL gene were performed using restriction enzyme digestion of amplified DNA products and lipid levels were analyzed in healthy control subjects (n=228) and patients with CAD (n=166). RESULTS: PvuII, HindIII, and Ser447-Ter sites were in strong linkage disequilibrium. No statistical differences in the genotypic frequencies of PvuII, HindIII, and Ser447-Ter polymorphisms were observed between control and CAD groups. P2P2 genotype had higher triglyceride level in CAD group and lower HDL-cholesterol level in control group than the other genotypes (P1P1, P1P2). H2H2 genotype had higher triglyceride level in CAD group and lower HDL-cholesterol level in control group than the other genotypes (H1H1, H1H2). CONCLUSIONS: Genotypes of LPL PvuII, HindIII, and Ser447-Ter polymorphisms were not associated with CAD. Individuals with P2P2 and H2H2 genotypes, however, had higher triglyceride and lower HDL-cholesterol levels that is known to be the most commmon dyslipidaemia in CAD patients.

Frozen-Thawed RBCs transfusion in the Dog / 대한수혈학회지

The cryopreservation of Red Blood Cells has many advantages of which the most important one is that it can be stored for a long period. However, in Korea, Research regarding frozen blood is still in its early stage. We evaluated the effects of transfusion of the frozen-thawed RBCs in dogs. The whole bloods were collected from 5 dogs, and the packed RBCs were obtained by centrifugation method. We made the frozen RBCs by using 40% glycerol method and stored it in -80 degrees C refrigerate for 1 month. The frozen RBCs were thawed in the 37 degrees C water bath and washed by Cell washer according to the standard protocol, and evaluated the status of them being compared with that of the unfrozen. The majorirty of the results were satisfactory to the allowable limit except high plasma hemoglobin and potassium. The frozen-thawed bloods were transfused to the two dogs and carefully observed the effects and its complications. The results were that the average value of the hemoglobin was elevated about 0.6g/dL more after transfusion than before, and there were no significant complication related to the transfusion. Thus, The frozen thawed blood transfusions in case of the experiment with dogs were proved to be safe and as effective as fresh blood, and The above method appeared to be feasible to human blood.