Differential expression of glucose transporter GLUT8 during mouse spermatogenesis

GLUT8 is a facilitative glucose transporter expressed at high levels in the testis. In this study, we analyzed the GLUT8 expression in mouse testis during spermatogenesis by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry methods. Our results show that GLUT8 expression is limited to spermatids and spermatozoa in the testis. Expression begins when round spermatids are formed at postnatal day 24. The expression persists throughout spermiogenesis, and it is also detected in spermatozoa, but it is absent in more immature germ cells, Sertoli cells and interstitial tissue. GLUT8 immunoreactivity is always restricted to the acrosomic system in a manner that matches the acrosome system formation. The GLUT8 expression is mainly associated with the acrosomic membrane in the acrosome, although significant immunoreactivity is also found inside the acrosomic lumen. The specific GLUT8 location suggests that this transporter plays a pivotal role in the fuel supply of spermatozoa, and in the traffic of sugars during the capacitation and fertilization processes.     

Prenylated chalcones 4-hydroxyderricin and xanthoangelol stimulate glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells by inducing GLUT4 translocation

Scope: Glucose uptake in skeletal muscle is crucial for glucose homeostasis. Methods and results: Insulin and muscle contraction increase glucose uptake accompanied by the translocation of glucose transporter (GLUT) 4. In a search for promising foods, which can increase glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, we screened for active polyphenols by assaying for uptake of 2‐deoxyglucose (2DG) in rat L6 muscle cells. Among 37 compounds, 4‐hydroxyderricin and xanthoangelol, prenylated chalcones abundant in Ashitaba (Angelica keiskei Koidzumi, family Apiaceae), significantly increased 2DG uptake in L6 cells by 1.9‐fold at 10 μM, compared with the level in DMSO‐treated control cells. Next, we investigated the effect of these chalcones on the translocation of GLUT4 and its underlying mechanisms. The chalcones increased the GLUT4 level in the plasma membrane of L6 cells, but activated neither protein kinase C ζ/λ, Akt, nor adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase, all of which regulate the GLUT4 translocation. Interestingly, the oral administration of a titrated chalcone‐enriched Ashitaba extract containing 150.6 mg/g (dry base) of 4‐hydroxyderricin and 146.0 mg/g (dry base) of xanthoangelol suppressed acute hyperglycemia in oral glucose tolerance tests of mice. Conclusions: Ashitaba is a promising functional food for the maintenance of the blood glucose level by inducing skeletal muscle‐associated glucose uptake.     

Absorption of anthocyanins through intestinal epithelial cells – Putative involvement of GLUT2

Anthocyanins bioavailability is a major issue regarding their biological effects and remains unclear due to few data available on this matter. This work aimed to evaluate the absorption of anthocyanins at the intestine using Caco‐2 cells. Anthocyanin extract, rich in malvidin‐3‐glucoside, was obtained from red grape skins and tested on Caco‐2 cells. The absorption of anthocyanins, in absence or presence of 1% ethanol, was detected by HPLC/DAD/LC‐MS. Our results showed that this transport was significantly increased in the presence of ethanol especially after 60 min of incubation. In addition, cells that were pretreated for 96 h with anthocyanins (200 μg/mL) showed an increase of their own transport (about 50% increase). Expression of glucose transporters sodium‐dependent glucose transporter 1, facilitative glucose transporters 5, and facilitative glucose transporters 2 was assessed by RT‐PCR. It was found that facilitative glucose transporters 2 expression was increased (60%) in Caco‐2 cells pretreated with anthocyanins, by comparison with controls. When the effect of anthocyanin extract on ³H‐2‐deoxy‐D ‐glucose uptake was tested, an inhibitory effect was observed (about 60% decrease). However, the malvidin aglycone was tested and had no effect. In conclusion, anthocyanins could be absorbed through Caco‐2 cells, and can interfere with their own transport and also with glucose intestinal uptake.     

桑叶多糖对2型糖尿病大鼠GLUT4mRNA表达的影响

目的：探讨桑叶多糖（MulberryLeavesPolysaccharides,MLP）对2型糖尿病（2-DM）大鼠脂肪组织葡萄糖转运蛋白4（GLUT4）基因表达的影响。方法：将Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组、桑叶多糖高、中、低剂量治疗组。用药12周后,RT-PCR检测GLUT4mRNA基因表达水平。结果：桑叶多糖高、中、低剂量治疗组GLUT4mRNA表达高于模型组。结论：桑叶多糖可上调2型糖尿病大鼠GLUT4mRNA表达,从而实现其降血糖作用。     

黄芪多糖对2型糖尿病大鼠GLUT4蛋白表达的影响

目的:探讨黄芪多糖(Astragalus Polysaccharide,APS)对2型糖尿病大鼠脂肪组织葡萄糖转运蛋白4(glucosetransPorter4,GLUT4)蛋白表达的影响。方法:将Wistar大鼠随机分为正常对照组、模型组,APS高、中、低剂量治疗组。用药12周后,采用SDS-PAGE检测GLUT4蛋白质表达水平。结果:APS高、中剂量治疗组GLUT4蛋白表达高于模型组水平(p<0.01)。结论:APS可上调2型糖尿病大鼠GLUT4蛋白表达,从而实现其降血糖作用。     

Natural pigments: carotenoids, anthocyanins, and betalains--characteristics, biosynthesis, processing, and stability

Pigments are present in all living matter and provide attractive colors and play basic roles in the development of organisms. Human beings, like most animals, come in contact with their surroundings through color, and things can or cannot be acceptable based on their color characteristics. This review presents the basic information about pigments focusing attention on the natural ones; it emphasizes the principal plant pigments: carotenoids, anthocyanins, and betalains. Special considerations are given to their salient characteristics; to their biosynthesis, taking into account the biochemical and molecular biology information generated in their elucidation; and to the processing and stability properties of these compounds as food colorants.     

卷烟中锂、铬、镍、铜、砷、硒、钼、镉、铊和铅含量分析

采用微波消解-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定了41个牌号烤烟型卷烟和雪茄烟样品烟丝中的锂、铬、镍、铜、砷、硒、钼、镉、铊和铅含量,并按照类型和价位对卷烟中这10种有害元素含量进行了统计分析。结果发现:①卷烟中锂和铜的含量较高,铊的含量很低,铬、镍、镉、铅、砷、硒和钼7种元素的平均含量为0.55～4.42μg/g;②雪茄烟中铬、镍、砷、钼、镉、铊和铅的含量一般高于烤烟型卷烟,而硒元素的含量则相反,但差别较小;烤烟型卷烟中锂和铜的含量与雪茄烟没有显著差异;③高档卷烟中的锂、镍、镉、铊和铬含量较低,而砷、铅的含量较高;不同价位卷烟的铜、硒和钼含量差异不显著。     

Tyrosinase, Laccase, and Peroxidase in Mushrooms (Agaricus, Crimini, Oyster, and Shiitake)

Enzyme assays and electrophoresis were used to monitor the activity of tyrosinase, laccase, and peroxidase in Agaricus bisporus (common cultivated button mushrooms and Crimini mushrooms), Oyster, and Shiitake mushrooms. The three enzymes could be differentiated using specific substrates and inhibitors. Tyrosinase seemed to be the major phenol oxidase in the Agaricus strains, while Oyster and Shiitake mushrooms had much lower levels. Peroxidase activity was low or undetectable in all types examined. Control of enzymatic browning in different mushroom types may depend upon the distribution of different oxidases within any given type.     

Polyphenols, Anthocyanins, Ascorbic Acid, and Radical Scavenging Activity of Rubus, Ribes, and Aronia

ABSTRACT: Total polyphenols, total anthocyanins, and reduced ascorbic acid were evaluated in berries belonging to the genera Rubus, Ribes, and Aronia by means of spectrophotometric and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity of the fruit extracts was tested. Total polyphenols ranged from 140.6 to 888.5 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW), total anthocyanins ranged from 22.0 to 460.5 mg/100 g FW, and reduced ascorbic acid ranged from 12.4 to 153.8 mg/ 100 g FW. The average EC50 values for Aronia melanocarpa, Ribes nigrum, Ribes rubrum, Rubus fruticosus, and Rubus idaeus were 1.8, 2.8, 5.3, 6.4, and 8.2 mg FW, respectively. The results indicate that the fruits tested are good sources of natural antioxidants.     

Hormones, metabolites, and reproduction in Holsteins, Jerseys, and their crosses

Holsteins (HH), Jerseys (JJ), and their crosses in first (n=157) and second (n=107) lactation were used to determine if reproduction, progesterone (P4), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin, nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA), and milk production differed between genetic groups. Thirty-four cows were Holstein-Jersey (HJ) crosses, 46 were Jersey-Holstein (JH) crosses, 48 were purebred Holsteins (HH), and 29 were purebred Jerseys (JJ) in first lactation, whereas the second-lactation animals included 23 HJ, 35 JH, 35 HH, and 14 JJ. Blood samples were collected weekly for the first 10 wk postpartum. Analyses were conducted using the MIXED, chi-square, and GLIMMIX procedures (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Seasons of calving were cold (November to May) and hot (June to October) and were combined with year to form 8 year-seasons. Days open and number of services were affected by genetic group. The HH were open 169±8 d, which was greater than HJ (143±9 d), JJ (132±10 d), and JH (127±8 d). The HH had 2.4±0.1 services per pregnancy, which was greater than JH (1.9±0.1), but not different from HJ (2.1±0.2) or JJ (2.1±0.2). Concentrations of NEFA were greater in lactation 2 (0.52±0.02 mEq/L) than in lactation 1 (0.45±0.02 mEq/L) and decreased over the 10-wk period. Concentrations of NEFA were greater in the cold season except in yr 3. Insulin in lactation 1 (0.81±0.03 ng/mL) was greater than in lactation 2 (0.72±0.03 ng/mL); insulin decreased to wk 2 then gradually increased. The HJ had the greatest insulin concentrations (0.87±0.04 ng/mL) and the JJ had the lowest (0.66±0.04 ng/mL), and IGF-1 gradually increased over the 10-wk period. Milk production (actual yield in the first 305 d, not adjusted for fat and protein) was affected by genetic group, lactation number, year-season, and wk 1 insulin. The HH produced 10,348±207 kg of milk, which was greater than the HJ (9,129±230 kg), the JH (9,384±190 kg), and the JJ (7,080±240 kg). Milk production in lactation 2 (9,676±163 kg) was greater than that in lactation 1 (8,294±160 kg). The JJ (10.3±4.7%) had the highest frequency of mastitis. The chance of getting mastitis for HH (1.1±0.9%) differed from that for HJ (9.4±4.1%), JH (8.1±3.4%), and JJ (10.3±4.7%). Genetic group affected hormones and metabolites, which may partially explain differences in reproductive measures and milk yield.     

Water-, oil-, and soil-repellent treatment of textiles,artificial leather,and leather

Several products are on the market to realize water-, oil-, and soil-repellent properties on textiles or textile-related materials. To make an adequate and fast rating of repellent properties of finished textiles, different drop tests according to AATCC and ISO standards are commonly used. For evaluation of the repellent properties of solid substrates against different liquids often contact angle measurements are performed. The aim of the work presented here is to determine and evaluate the repellent effects gained by the application of three different finishing agents on three different substrates, such as polyester fabric, artificial leather, and leather. The main questions are at that point: It is possible to gain similar repellent effects with the same finishing product applied on different substrates? Do the different testing methods lead to comparable results? Is there a relation to the repellency against everyday consumer products as red wine, ice tea, or coffee? This article should help the reader to evaluate different testing methods and the influence on common substrates.     

Capsicum--production, technology, chemistry, and quality. Part V. Impact on physiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and metabolism; structure, pungency, pain, and desensitization sequences

The spice Capsicum is the fruit of the cultivated species of the genus Capsicum (family, Solanaceae), C. annuum principally, and C. frutescens L. to a lesser extent. A third variety of C. annuum var. annuum fruits, the large-sized, fleshy bell capsicum is used as a fresh vegetable and valued for its aroma, color, and crisp texture, but with no pungency. This variety is not considered in this series of reviews covering primary processing, production, international trade, chemistry, and biochemistry of functional components--the red keto carotenoids, the aromatic volatiles and the pungent capsaicinoids in Parts I to III. The valid qualitative aspects correlating the specific components of capsicum and their sensory responses are critically covered in Part IV. In this the concluding part of the series of reviews, the significant preference of the spice for initially evoking an aversive response, its potent physiological and pharmacological effects, and the aspects of structure-activity relationships of the pungent stimuli of the capsaicinoids are reviewed. The beneficial effects particularly associated with long usage by some ethnic groups and its safe consumption levels, with a critical review of the studies on the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system, the sensory system, thermoregulation, nutritional impacts, and an overview of the five series is also detailed.