Brain metabolic characteristics distinguishing typical and atypical benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes

Timosaponin BII is one of the most abundant Anemarrhena saponins and is in a phase II clinical trial for the treatment of dementia. However, the pharmacological activity of timosaponin BII does not match its low bioavailability. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of gut microbiota on timosaponin BII metabolism. We found that intestinal flora had a strong metabolic effect on timosaponin BII by HPLC-MS/MS. At the same time, seven potential metabolites (M1-M7) produced by rat intestinal flora were identified using HPLC/MS-Q-TOF. Among them, three structures identified are reported in gut microbiota for the first time. A comparison of rat liver homogenate and a rat liver microsome incubation system revealed that the metabolic behavior of timosaponin BII was unique to the gut microbiota system. Finally, a quantitative method for the three representative metabolites was established by HPLC-MS/MS, and the temporal relationship among the metabolites was initially clarified. In summary, it is suggested that the metabolic characteristics of gut microbiota may be an important indicator of the pharmacological activity of timosaponin BII, which can be applied to guide its application and clinical use in the future.

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Arterial Stiffness: Its Relation with Prediabetes and Metabolic Syndrome and Possible Pathogenesis

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10153251 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (15) ◽

pp. 3251

Author(s):

Juan J. Gagliardino ◽

Martin R. Salazar ◽

Walter G. Espeche ◽

Paula E. Tolosa Chapasian ◽

Daniela Gomez Gomez Garizoain ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Arterial Stiffness ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Statin Treatment ◽

Normal Glucose Tolerance ◽

Complete Picture ◽

Preventive Strategy ◽

Metabolic Characteristics ◽

Healthy Life Style

Aims: To evaluate arterial stiffness indicators in people with prediabetes (PreD) and its possible pathogenesis. Materials and methods: Pulse wave velocity (PWV) was measured in 208 people with FINDRISC ≥ 13 (57 ± 8 years old, 68.7% women) and thereafter divided into those having either normal glucose tolerance (NGT) or PreD. In each subgroup we also identified those with/out insulin resistance (IR) measured by the triglyceride/HDL-c ratio (normal cut off values previously established in our population). Clinical and metabolic data were collected for all participants. PWV was compared between subgroups using independent t test. Results: Women and men had comparable clinical and metabolic characteristics with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) and antihypertensive-statin treatment, almost half with either NGT or PreD. Whereas 48% of NGT people presented IR (abnormally high TG/HDL-c ratio), 52% had PreD. PWV was significantly higher only in those with a complete picture of metabolic syndrome (MS). Conclusions: Since PWV was significantly impaired in people with a complete picture of MS, clinicians must carefully search for early diagnosis of this condition and prescribe a healthy life-style to prevent development/progression of CVD. This proactive attitude would provide a cost-effective preventive strategy to avoid CVD’s negative impact on patients’ quality of life and on health systems due to their higher care costs.

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A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MARINE AND TERRESTRIAL STRAINS OF RHODOTORULA

Canadian Journal of Microbiology ◽

10.1139/m62-016 ◽

1962 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 121-132 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Donald G. Ahearn ◽

Frank J. Roth Jr. ◽

Samuel P. Meyers

Keyword(s):

Comparative Study ◽

Nitrate Nitrogen ◽

Environmental Influence ◽

Marine Environments ◽

Metabolic Characteristics

Yeasts of the genus Rhodotorula obtained from subtropical marine environments were classified by comparing them critically with type and authentic cultures. No distinctive metabolic differences ascribable to environmental influence were observed in comparing marine and terrestrial isolates. Identifications of species were based on requirements for vitamins, ability to assimilate selected carbohydrates, and capacity to utilize nitrate nitrogen. The difficulties encountered in delimiting species by relying entirely on established metabolic characteristics are presented. Recharacterization of available type cultures indicates the existence of synonymy and the occurrence of divergent metabolic strains within recognized species.

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