Clozapine directly increases insulin and glucagon secretion from islets: implications for impairment of glucose tolerance.

Second generation antipsychotics cause derangements in glucose metabolism that are often interpreted as insulin resistance. In previous studies we have shown that this is not classical insulin resistance but the drugs were actually inducing a hyperglycaemic state associated with elevated hepatic glucose output (HGO) and increased levels of glucagon and insulin. However, it remains unclear whether these effects are directly elicited by drug actions in the liver and pancreas, or whether they are indirectly mediated. Here we investigated if clozapine is capable of inducing insulin resistance in the liver or enhancing insulin and glucagon secretion from the pancreas. It was observed that insulin signalling was elevated in livers from animals treated with clozapine indicating there was no insulin resistance in the early steps of insulin signalling. To explore whether the defects arise at later stages of insulin action we used an isolated perfused liver system. In this model, clozapine had no direct effect on insulin's counter regulatory effect on epinephrine-induced HGO. In isolated mouse islets clozapine significantly increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion while simultaneously blocking glucose-induced reductions in glucagon secretion. We also show that the non-peptidic glucagon receptor like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist Boc5 was able to overcome the inhibitory effects of clozapine on glucose metabolism. Taken together these results suggest that clozapine does not have any direct effect on glucose metabolism in the liver but it simultaneously stimulates insulin and glucagon secretion, a situation that would allow for the concurrent presence of high glucose and high insulin levels in treated animals.

Charge-induced distortion and stabilization of surface transfer doped porphyrin films.

The interaction between zinc-tetraphenylporphyrin (ZnTPP) and fullerenes (C60 and C60F48) are studied using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Low temperature STM reveals highly ordered ZnTPP monolayers on Au(111). In contrast to C60, a submonolayer coverage of C60F48 results in long-range disorder of the underlying single ZnTPP layer and distortion of individual ZnTPP molecules. This is induced by substantial charge transfer at the organic-organic interface, revealed by the interface energetics from UPS. However, a second layer of ZnTPP prevents C60F48 guests from breaking the self-assembled porphyrin template. This finding is important for understanding the growth behaviour of "bottom-up" functional nanostructures involving strong donor-acceptor heterojunctions in molecular electronics.

Gas phase and bulk ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy of 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and 1,8-naphthalene-dicarboxylic anhydride.

The pi-conjugated organic molecules 3,4,9,10-perylene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, 1,4,5,8-naphthalene-tetracarboxylic dianhydride, and 1,8-naphthalene-dicarboxylic anhydride were investigated via gas phase and bulk ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy and compared to density functional theory calculations. Values for final state effects such as intermolecular polarization were determined and the differing features in the spectra interpreted as a consequence of interactions in the thin films. Additionally, the highest occupied molecular orbitals of the molecules clearly show distinctive peaks originating from vibrational excitations, leading to results for Franck-Condon factors.

Effects of celecoxib on the expression of osteoprotegerin, energy metabolism and cell viability in cultured human osteoblastic cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The selective COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib is widely used to treat pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis. The drug has well-known important effects on immune cells but its direct and/or indirect influence on osteoblasts has not yet been explored in detail. This study aimed to investigate the dose-dependent effects of celecoxib on cell viability, energy metabolism and bone remodeling processes in cultured human osteoblastic cells. METHODS: Primary human osteoblasts and MG-63 cells were incubated with celecoxib (2, 10, 50microM). Cell viability and apoptosis were determined by trypan blue, 7AAD and Annexin-V staining. Effects on cellular oxygen consumption were measured amperometrically using a Clark electrode. mRNA expression of GLUT-1 and OPG was determined by RT-PCR; OPG protein secretion by ELISA and HIF-1alpha protein expression by immunoblotting. RESULTS: While celecoxib at a concentration of 2 and 10microM showed only marginal effects, a suprapharmacological concentration of 50microM influenced viability and energy metabolism, as well as OPG expression and secretion of osteoblastic cells. Cell viability was significantly reduced by celecoxib treatment. Celecoxib at 50microM stimulated oxygen consumption significantly. Corresponding experiments with the protonophore FCCP suggest that this effect is due to mitochondrial uncoupling. After 24h, GLUT-1 mRNA expression was significantly increased. HIF-1alpha protein was not expressed under any of our experimental conditions. We also showed that celecoxib at 50microM significantly inhibits OPG protein secretion leading to a compensative increase of mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: Pronounced effects of celecoxib on cell viability (reduction), oxygen consumption (stimulation), GLUT-1 mRNA expression (stimulation) and OPG protein secretion (inhibition) in osteoblastic cells were observed only at 50microM-a concentration not reached by therapeutic doses giving plasma concentrations less than 10microM. On the contrary, celecoxib at 2 and 10microM showed only marginal effects, suggesting that celecoxib administration is probably safe with respect to bone metabolism in cases requiring potent treatment of pain and inflammation. However, higher intracellular concentrations, which might occur through accumulation, necessitate investigations with high concentrations.

[Thoracic aorta aneurysm as a complication after transpedicular stabilization of the thoracic vertebral column--a case study]. / Anévrisme de l'aorte thoracique compliquant une stabilisation transpédiculaire de la colonne thoracique. A propos d'un cas.

INTRODUCTION: Incorrectly positioned transpedicular stabilization accounts for 4 to 30% of the complications occurring after vertebral column stabilization operations. OBSERVATIONS: We describe a specific complication following transpedicular stabilization of TH5-TH7, performed due to fracture of the TH6 vertebra. Given that the patient complained of pain in the thoracic vertebrae, a CT scan of the TH5-TH7 region was performed and revealed that the transpedicular stabilization was incorrectly located; it was immediately adjacent to the thoracic aorta and had led to the formation of a false aneurysm. The stabilization was removed and the patient is under the constant supervision of a vascular surgeon. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic aorta false aneurysm is a rare complication after vertebral column stabilization. However, there is a high risk of the aorta wall damage during stabilization removal.

Interaction of alkali metals with perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride thin films studied by IR spectroscopy.

In order to clarify the doping behavior of different alkali metals in perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA), Fourier transform infrared spectra of PTCDA thin films doped with sodium, potassium, and cesium were measured and compared. Furthermore the vibrational properties were calculated using density-functional theory and these calculated vibrational frequencies were assigned to the experimental IR modes of the thin films.

Expression and immunohistochemical localization of eight phospholipase C isoforms in adult male mouse cerebellar cortex.

By means of specific polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies we have investigated the expression and the localization of phospholipase C isoforms in the adult mice cerebellar cortex. Western-blot analysis revealed that mouse cerebellum expressed eight phospholipase C isozymes: -beta 1, -beta 2, -beta 3, -beta 4, -gamma 1, -gamma 2, -delta 1, -delta 2. Immunohistochemical analysis carried out on cryosections showed a distinct pattern of expression for each of the isoforms. Purkinje cells had high levels of -beta 1, -beta 3, -gamma 2 and -delta 2 isotypes. The -gamma 2 isozyme was the only one that was identified also in the dendrites of Purkinje cells. In the molecular layer we detected mostly -beta 1 and -gamma 1 isozymes whereas in the granular layer -gamma 1 and -gamma 2 isoforms prodominated. These results indicate a heterogeneity of the phospholipase C isoforms expressed in the layers of mouse cerebellar cortex conceivably due to the fact that these enzymes are coupled to different receptors and perform selective tasks in regulating cell signalling events taking place in the cerebellar cortex of mice.

Selective distribution of multiple protein kinase C isoforms in mouse cerebellar cortex.

An immunohistochemical study concerning the distribution of protein kinase C isoforms, a lipid-regulated serine/threonine kinase essential for signal transduction, was performed in mice cerebellar cortex, with particular emphasis on the localization of -iota and -lambda isozymes. By the means of immunoblotting analyses we detected the presence of 11 PKC subspecies in whole cerebellar extracts. Immunoreactivity on cryostat sections revealed, using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, that a few isoforms were widely but discretely distributed in all three cortical layers (molecular, granular and Purkinje cells) whereas other isozymes were present in a limited neuronal compartment. Overall, the distribution of several isoforms was in agreement with data obtained by other authors using rat cerebellum. As far as -iota and -lambda isozymes were concerned, we found them abundantly expressed in endothelial cells. Moreover, protein kinase C-lambda was also present in the body of Purkinje cell, conceivably associated with a 200-kDa neurofilament component. In all, these results hint at the possibility that in the cerebellar cortex at least some protein kinase C isoforms are involved in functions other than signal transduction at the synaptic level.

[Long-term observations on the etiology and antibiotic resistance in urinary infections (1971-1987)]. / Osservazioni a lungo termine su eziologia ed antibioticoresistenza in corso di infezioni urinarie (1971-1987).

The activity "in vitro" of six antibiotics (co-trimoxazole, cephaloridine, nitrofurantoin, carbenicillin, nalidixic acid, gentamicin) was tested against four Gram negative: E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., Klebsiella sp. and Enterobacter sp. isolated from urine samples from 1971 to 1987, at the Istituto di Igiene of Trieste. The temporal analysis of antibiograms revealed an decrease of the incidence of resistance in the year 1979, 1980 and 1981. In the following years the percentage of resistance showed an increasing of incidence.

X-ray microanalysis of uremic nephrocalcinosis.

The nature of uremic nephrocalcinosis was studied by means of X-ray microanalysis in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. The data show that calcified deposits in the renal parenchyma of uremic rats contained substantial amounts of calcium, magnesium, aluminum and silicon. Since calcificates did not reveal a uniform composition they were arbitrarily divided into 3 categories: 'high-calcium' with Mg:Al:Si: Ca molar ratios 7:3:8:37; 'low-calcium' particles were characterized by Fe:Mg:Al:Ca:Si molar ratios 7:3:5:6:13; while 'intermediate-calcium' particles showed Al:Mg:Si:Ca molar ratios equivalent to 2:4:6:7. The variability of calcified deposits in the renal parenchyma of 5/6 nephrectomized rats might be due to different sources, different environmental conditions along the nephron and different stages of calcification process. It is suggested that aluminum and silicon content of deposits may be of value in further characterization of uremic nephrocalcinosis.

Microorganisms of the upper layer of the atmosphere and the protective role of their cell pigments.

Of the six species of microorganisms isolated from the mesosphere, five contained pigments and were more resistant to UV radiation compared with their pigment-free mutants. The black pigment isolated from the conidia of Aspergillus niger considerably increased the UV resistance of the unpigmented mutant conidia of Penicillium notatum, the spore Circinella muscae and the vegetative cells of Micrococcus albus. From the data it is possible to conclude that in the upper layers of the Earth's atmosphere the predominant proportion of pigmented microorganisms is the consequence of natural selection by UV radiation.