scholarly journals Synchronization of mouse islets of Langerhans by glucose waveforms

2011 ◽  
Vol 301 (4) ◽  
pp. E742-E747 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinyu Zhang ◽  
Arij Daou ◽  
Tuan M. Truong ◽  
Richard Bertram ◽  
Michael G. Roper

Pancreatic islets secrete insulin in a pulsatile manner, and the individual islets are synchronized, producing in vivo oscillations. In this report, the ability of imposed glucose waveforms to synchronize a population of islets was investigated. A microfluidic system was used to deliver glucose waveforms to ∼20 islets while fura 2 fluorescence was imaged. All islets were entrained to a sinusoidal waveform of glucose (11 mM median, 1 mM amplitude, and a 5-min period), producing synchronized oscillations of fura 2 fluorescence. During perfusion with constant 11 mM glucose, oscillations of fura 2 fluorescence were observed in individual islets, but the average signal was nonoscillatory. Spectral analysis and a synchronization index (λ) were used to measure the period of fura 2 fluorescence oscillations and evaluate synchronization of islets, respectively. During perfusion with glucose waveforms, spectral analysis revealed a dominant frequency at 5 min, and λ, which can range from 0 (unsynchronized) to 1 (perfect synchronization), was 0.78 ± 0.15. In contrast, during perfusion with constant 11 mM glucose, the main peak in the spectral analysis corresponded to a period of 5 min but was substantially smaller than during perfusion with oscillatory glucose, and the average λ was 0.52 ± 0.09, significantly lower than during perfusion with sinusoidal glucose. These results indicated that an oscillatory glucose level synchronized the activity of a heterogeneous islet population, serving as preliminary evidence that islets could be synchronized in vivo through oscillatory glucose levels produced by a liver-pancreas feedback loop.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazutoshi Yamamoto ◽  
Ana Opina ◽  
Deepak Sail ◽  
Burchelle Blackman ◽  
Keita Saito ◽  
...  

AbstractDrastic sensitivity enhancement of dynamic nuclear polarization is becoming an increasingly critical methodology to monitor real-time metabolic and physiological information in chemistry, biochemistry, and biomedicine. However, the limited number of available hyperpolarized 13C probes, which can effectively interrogate crucial metabolic activities, remains one of the major bottlenecks in this growing field. Here, we demonstrate [1-13C] N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) as a novel probe for hyperpolarized 13C MRI to monitor glutathione redox chemistry, which plays a central part of metabolic chemistry and strongly influences various therapies. NAC forms a disulfide bond in the presence of reduced glutathione, which generates a spectroscopically detectable product that is separated from the main peak by a 1.5 ppm shift. In vivo hyperpolarized MRI in mice revealed that NAC was broadly distributed throughout the body including the brain. Its biochemical transformation in two human pancreatic tumor cells in vitro and as xenografts differed depending on the individual cellular biochemical profile and microenvironment in vivo. Hyperpolarized NAC can be a promising non-invasive biomarker to monitor in vivo redox status and can be potentially translatable to clinical diagnosis.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Soltani ◽  
Masoud Soleimani ◽  
Mohammad Adel Ghiass ◽  
Seyed Ehsan Enderami ◽  
Shahram Rabbani ◽  
...  

Abstract BackgroundCell-based therapy is a promising approach for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Identification of stem cells as progenitor stem cells with differentiation potential to Insulin-producing cells (IPCs) and their application is an emerging issue. Different strategies have been used to support the cell survival and their specific functions to control hyperglycemia condition. Novel technology systems using appropriate materials/fibres can improve the cell transplantation.MethodsIn the present study, glucose-sensitive insulin-producing cells (IPCs) were differentiated from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) transduced with miR-375 and anti-miR-7 to enhance the functions of the cells. The survival rate of the cells was also improved by using a microfluidic system prior to in vivo transplantation of the IPCs. The contribution of miR-375 with the anti-miR-7 in mature IPCs derived from ADSCs resulted in gaining the function of the cells as judged by insulin productionResultsAfter adopting a stable functional condition of the IPCs, the cells were used for in vivo grafting to diabetic mice which resulted in a substantial drop (5-folds) in blood glucose during four weeks of grafting. The pattern of blood glucose levels in the mice receiving fiber entrapped IPCs was similar to that of non-diabetic mice and blood glucose declined in animals treated with fiber-entrapped-IPCs. Blood insulin was elevated (2-folds) in diabetic mice received transplant of fiber-entrapped-IPCs carrying miR-375 and anti-miR-7 after five weeks of transplantation when compared to the untreated diabetic mice. For the first time, this study showed that the two-component microfluidic system is useful for supporting the Collagen-Alginate fiber-entrapped IPCs and the miRNAs-based cell therapy.ConclusionsOverall data show that the IPCs encapsulation by the microfluidic system can support the cells in terms of morphology and biological function and their efficiency for controlling the hyperglycemia condition in diabetic mice.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (02) ◽  
pp. 376-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce Lages ◽  
Harvey J Weiss

SummaryThe possible involvement of secreted platelet substances in agonist- induced [Ca2+]i increases was investigated by comparing these increases in aspirin-treated, fura-2-loaded normal platelets and platelets from patients with storage pool deficiencies (SPD). In the presence and absence of extracellular calcium, the [Ca2+]i response induced by 10 µM ADP, but not those induced by 0.1 unit/ml thrombin, 3.3 µM U46619, or 20 µM serotonin, was significantly greater in SPD platelets than in normal platelets, and was increased to the greatest extent in SPD patients with Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), in whom the dense granule deficiencies are the most severe. Pre-incubation of SPD-HPS and normal platelets with 0.005-5 µM ADP produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the [Ca2+]i response induced by 10 µ M ADP, but did not alter the [Ca2+]i increases induced by thrombin or U46619. Within a limited range of ADP concentrations, the dose-inhibition curve of the [Ca2+]i response to 10 µM ADP was significantly shifted to the right in SPD-HPS platelets, indicating that pre-incubation with greater amounts of ADP were required to achieve the same extent of inhibition as in normal platelets. These results are consistent with a hypothesis that the smaller ADP-induced [Ca2+]i increases seen in normal platelets may result from prior interactions of dense granule ADP, released via leakage or low levels of activation, with membrane ADP receptors, causing receptor desensitization. Addition of apyrase to platelet-rich plasma prior to fura-2 loading increased the ADP-induced [Ca2+]i response in both normal and SPD-HPS platelets, suggesting that some release of ADP derived from both dense granule and non-granular sources occurs during in vitro fura-2 loading and platelet washing procedures. However, this [Ca2+]i response was also greater in SPD-HPS platelets when blood was collected with minimal manipulation directly into anticoagulant containing apyrase, raising the possibility that release of dense granule ADP resulting in receptor desensitization may also occur in vivo. Thus, in addition to enhancing platelet activation, dense granule ADP could also act to limit the ADP-mediated reactivity of platelets exposed in vivo to low levels of stimulation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-206
Author(s):  
Brognara Lorenzo ◽  
Salmaso Luca ◽  
Mazzotti Antonio ◽  
Di M. Alberto ◽  
Faldini Cesare ◽  
...  

Background: Chronic wounds are commonly associated with polymicrobial biofilm infections. In the last years, the extensive use of antibiotics has generated several antibiotic-resistant variants. To overcome this issue, alternative natural treatments have been proposed, including the use of microorganisms like probiotics. The aim of this manuscript was to review current literature concerning the application of probiotics for the treatment of infected chronic wounds. Methods: Relevant articles were searched in the Medline database using PubMed and Scholar, using the keywords “probiotics” and “wound” and “injuries”, “probiotics” and “wound” and “ulcer”, “biofilm” and “probiotics” and “wound”, “biofilm” and “ulcer” and “probiotics”, “biofilm” and “ulcer” and “probiotics”, “probiotics” and “wound”. Results: The research initially included 253 articles. After removal of duplicate studies, and selection according to specific inclusion and exclusion criteria, 19 research articles were included and reviewed, accounting for 12 in vitro, 8 in vivo studies and 2 human studies (three articles dealing with animal experiments included also in vitro testing). Most of the published studies about the effects of probiotics for the treatment of infected chronic wounds reported a partial inhibition of microbial growth, biofilm formation and quorum sensing. Discussion: The application of probiotics represents an intriguing option in the treatment of infected chronic wounds with multidrug-resistant bacteria; however, current results are difficult to compare due to the heterogeneity in methodology, laboratory techniques, and applied clinical protocols. Lactobacillus plantarum currently represents the most studied strain, showing a positive application in burns compared to guideline treatments, and an additional mean in chronic wound infections. Conclusions: Although preliminary evidence supports the use of specific strains of probiotics in certain clinical settings such as infected chronic wounds, large, long-term clinical trials are still lacking, and further research is needed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalyani Pathak ◽  
Aparoop Das ◽  
Anshul Shakya ◽  
Riya Saikia ◽  
Himangshu Sarma

Background: The leaves of Annona reticulata Linn. have been traditionally used by the tribes of Assam as a source of medicine to mitigate a range of health ailments including diabetes and obesity. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic potential of bioactive fractions isolated from the methanolic extract of Annona reticulata Linn. leaves using Nicotinamide + Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg, i.p.) induced diabetic rats. Methods: The partially purified bioactive fractions, namely F1, F2, F3 and F4 were administered to diabetic rats with the dose of 200 mg/kg, per oral (p.o.) and the effect of the fractions on serum glucose were studied up to 21 days. The potent fractions were further subjected for spectral analysis for identification of the isolated active compounds. Results: The in-vivo anti-diabetic activity of the isolated fractions F2 and F3 were found significant controlling blood glucose level, alike glibenclamide. Interestingly, F2 and F3 treated animals were found significant in restoring the lipid and liver enzymes profile in streptozotocin challenge rats. Further, spectral analysis revealed that F2 and F3 were comprises Quercetin and Gallic acid, respectively. Conclusion: Outcome of finding demonstrate the anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic potential of the isolates/fractions of A. reticulata, which were found enriched in polyphenolics including Quercetin and Gallic acid; and provides logistic behind the traditional use of the A. reticulata against Diabetes and obesity.


2014 ◽  
Vol 222 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-215 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian L Rourke ◽  
Shanmugam Muruganandan ◽  
Helen J Dranse ◽  
Nichole M McMullen ◽  
Christopher J Sinal

Chemerin is an adipose-derived signaling protein (adipokine) that regulates adipocyte differentiation and function, immune function, metabolism, and glucose homeostasis through activation of chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1). A second chemerin receptor, G protein-coupled receptor 1 (GPR1) in mammals, binds chemerin with an affinity similar to CMKLR1; however, the function of GPR1 in mammals is essentially unknown. Herein, we report that expression of murineGpr1mRNA is high in brown adipose tissue and white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle. In contrast to chemerin (Rarres2) andCmklr1,Gpr1expression predominates in the non-adipocyte stromal vascular fraction of WAT. Heterozygous and homozygousGpr1-knockout mice fed on a high-fat diet developed more severe glucose intolerance than WT mice despite having no difference in body weight, adiposity, or energy expenditure. Moreover, mice lackingGpr1exhibited reduced glucose-stimulated insulin levels and elevated glucose levels in a pyruvate tolerance test. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to report the effects ofGpr1deficiency on adiposity, energy balance, and glucose homeostasisin vivo. Moreover, these novel results demonstrate that GPR1 is an active chemerin receptor that contributes to the regulation of glucose homeostasis during obesity.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4221
Author(s):  
Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup ◽  
Svend Borup Jensen ◽  
Ole Lerberg Nielsen ◽  
Lars Jødal ◽  
Pia Afzelius

The development of new and better radioactive tracers capable of detecting and characterizing osteomyelitis is an ongoing process, mainly because available tracers lack selectivity towards osteomyelitis. An integrated part of developing new tracers is the performance of in vivo tests using appropriate animal models. The available animal models for osteomyelitis are also far from ideal. Therefore, developing improved animal osteomyelitis models is as important as developing new radioactive tracers. We recently published a review on radioactive tracers. In this review, we only present and discuss osteomyelitis models. Three ethical aspects (3R) are essential when exposing experimental animals to infections. Thus, we should perform experiments in vitro rather than in vivo (Replacement), use as few animals as possible (Reduction), and impose as little pain on the animal as possible (Refinement). The gain for humans should by far exceed the disadvantages for the individual experimental animal. To this end, the translational value of animal experiments is crucial. We therefore need a robust and well-characterized animal model to evaluate new osteomyelitis tracers to be sure that unpredicted variation in the animal model does not lead to a misinterpretation of the tracer behavior. In this review, we focus on how the development of radioactive tracers relies heavily on the selection of a reliable animal model, and we base the discussions on our own experience with a porcine model.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 206
Author(s):  
Martyna Cieślik ◽  
Natalia Bagińska ◽  
Andrzej Górski ◽  
Ewa Jończyk-Matysiak

The authors emphasize how extremely important it is to highlight the role played by animal models in an attempt to determine possible phage interactions with the organism into which it was introduced as well as to determine the safety and effectiveness of phage therapy in vivo taking into account the individual conditions of a given organism and its physiology. Animal models in which phages are used make it possible, among other things, to evaluate the effective therapeutic dose and to choose the possible route of phage administration depending on the type of infection developed. These results cannot be applied in detail to the human body, but the knowledge gained from animal experiments is invaluable and very helpful. We would like to highlight how useful animal models may be for the possible effectiveness evaluation of phage therapy in the case of infections caused by gram-negative bacteria from the ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter species) group of pathogens. In this review, we focus specifically on the data from the last few years.


Genetics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 152 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret K Shirra ◽  
Karen M Arndt

AbstractBinding of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) to the promoter is a pivotal step in RNA polymerase II transcription. To identify factors that regulate TBP, we selected for suppressors of a TBP mutant that exhibits promoter-specific defects in activated transcription in vivo and severely reduced affinity for TATA boxes in vitro. Dominant mutations in SNF4 and recessive mutations in REG1, OPI1, and RTF2 were isolated that specifically suppress the inositol auxotrophy of the TBP mutant strains. OPI1 encodes a repressor of INO1 transcription. REG1 and SNF4 encode regulators of the Glc7 phosphatase and Snf1 kinase, respectively, and have well-studied roles in glucose repression. In two-hybrid assays, one SNF4 mutation enhances the interaction between Snf4 and Snf1. Suppression of the TBP mutant by our reg1 and SNF4 mutations appears unrelated to glucose repression, since these mutations do not alleviate repression of SUC2, and glucose levels have little effect on INO1 transcription. Moreover, mutations in TUP1, SSN6, and GLC7, but not HXK2 and MIG1, can cause suppression. Our data suggest that association of TBP with the TATA box may be regulated, directly or indirectly, by a substrate of Snf1. Analysis of INO1 transcription in various mutant strains suggests that this substrate is distinct from Opi1.


Nanomaterials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 547
Author(s):  
Marina Ramal-Sanchez ◽  
Antonella Fontana ◽  
Luca Valbonetti ◽  
Alessandra Ordinelli ◽  
Nicola Bernabò ◽  
...  

Since its discovery, graphene and its multiple derivatives have been extensively used in many fields and with different applications, even in biomedicine. Numerous efforts have been made to elucidate the potential toxicity derived from their use, giving rise to an adequate number of publications with varied results. On this basis, the study of the reproductive function constitutes a good tool to evaluate not only the toxic effects derived from the use of these materials directly on the individual, but also the potential toxicity passed on to the offspring. By providing a detailed scientometric analysis, the present review provides an updated overview gathering all the research studies focused on the use of graphene and graphene-based materials in the reproductive field, highlighting the consequences and effects reported to date from experiments performed in vivo and in vitro and in different animal species (from Archea to mammals). Special attention is given to the oxidized form of graphene, graphene oxide, which has been recently investigated for its ability to increase the in vitro fertilization outcomes. Thus, the potential use of graphene oxide against infertility is hypothesized here, probably by engineering the spermatozoa and thus manipulating them in a safer and more efficient way.


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