Effect of alcohol on exercise-induced changes in serum glucose and serum free fatty acids

Electrochemical measurements show that there are high-potential states of two copper proteins, Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin and Thermus thermophilus CuA domain; these perturbed states are formed in guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) solution in which the proteins are still blue (azurin) and purple (CuA). In each case, the high-potential state forms reversibly. Absorption (azurin, CuA), visible circular dichroism (azurin, CuA), resonance-Raman (CuA), and EPR (CuA) spectra indicate that the structure of the oxidized copper site of each high-potential form is very similar to that of the native protein. It is proposed that GuHCl perturbs one or more H-bonds in the blue or purple copper active site, thereby allowing Cu(I) to adopt a more favorable coordination structure than that in the rigid cavity of the native protein.     

The composition of lipids in intestinal digesta of young pigs receiving diets containing tallow and tallow fatty acids

Three semipurified diets containing a low level of fat or 10 percent of either beef tallow or beef tallow free fatty acids were fed to young pigs. Jejunal digesta was sampled 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 h after feeding by aspiration through tubes leading from the jejunal lumen to the exterior. The samples were forced through Millipore filters (1 x 10(-7) m pore size) to separate aqueous phase and oil phase lipid. The total and aqueous phase lipid was separated into triglyceride, monoglyceride, and free fatty acid, and the fatty acid composition of each fraction determined. The concentration of aqueous phase lipid was not influenced by diet, although the concentration of the oil phase lipid was generally higher for the addition of fat to the diets; the increase was greater for the beef tallow free fatty acid diet than for the beef tallow diet. Free fatty acids were the predominant component of the aqueous phase lipid along with some monoglyceride and traces of triglyceride. The major component of the oil phastions of triglyceride and monoglyceride. These must have been derived from endogenously secreted lipid in the case of the tallow fatty acid diet. Thus, the lower digestibility of completely hydrolyzed beef tallow than of conventional beef tallow was not due to an absence of monoglyceride in the intestinal lumen. The proportion of stearic acid in the jejunal digesta was greater than in the dietary lipid, whereas there were lower proportions of palmitic and oleic acids in the jejunal digesta than in the diet; the effect being most pronounced for the tallow free fatty acid diet. The ratio of oleic to palmitic acid in the aqueous phase was less than in the lipid phase suggesting preferential uptake of oleic acid from the micelle by the intestinal mucosa.     

Divergent incorporation of dietary trans fatty acids in different serum lipid fractions

We isolated from the endogenous polyprenyl-phospho-sugar pool of Mycobacterium smegmatis two mannose-containing compounds, i.e., a partially saturated C35-octahydroheptaprenyl-P-mannose and a fully unsaturated C50-decaprenyl-P-mannose. The relative amount of C35-polyprenyl-P-mannose in mycobacterial cells was comparable to that of decaprenyl- P-pentoses and, at least, an order of magnitude higher than that of C50-decaprenyl-P-mannose. The major form of mycobacterial polyprenyl-P-mannose was structurally characterized by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, fast-atom bombardment tandem mass spectrometry and proton-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as beta-d-mannopyranosyl-monophospho-(C35)octahydroheptapren ol of which all three isoprene units have Z ( cis ) configuration. The differences in the structure and cellular concentrations of the mycobacterial mannosyl-P-polyprenols reflect distinct biochemical pathways of the two compounds and suggest the existence of specific GDP-Man:polyprenyl-P mannosyltransferases (synthetases) able to distinguish between C35-octahydroheptaprenyl- and C50-decaprenyl- phosphates of mycobacteria. Since the 6'-O-mycoloylated form of C35-octahydroheptaprenyl-P-mannose isolated from M. smegmatis is apparently involved in mycolate rather than mannosyl transfer reactions, we speculate that a catabolic pathway responsible for degradation of C35-P-mannose and recycling C35-octahydroheptaprenyl phosphate might exist in mycobacteria.     

Suppression of fatty acids synthesis in brown adipose tissue of mice fed diets rich in long chain fatty acids

The influence of dietary lipid on fatty acid synthesis in brown adipose tissue has been investigated by feeding different high-fat diets to cold-acclimated mice for a period of 2 weeks. Fatty acid synthesis was measured in vivo with 3H2O, and the fats used in the study were maize oil, beef tallow and medium chain triacylglycerol oil. In the mice fed the maize oil and the beef tallow diets fatty acids synthesis was inhibited in all tissue examined--interscapular brown adipose tissue, epididymal white adipose tissue, the liver and the carcass. Synthesis was more inhibited, however, in brown adipose tissue than in other tissues, and the inhibition was greater on the maize oil diet than on the beef tallow. The medium chain triacylglycerol oil had no inhibitory effect on fatty acid synthesis in any tissue, and hepatic synthesis was even elevated on this diet. It is concluded that fatty acid synthesis in brown adipose tissue, as in other lipogenic tissues, is subject to strong suppression by dietary long chain fatty acids, and particularly by linoleic acid.     

Association of hyperinsulinemia and serum free fatty acids with serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol

Blood volume in the legs of healthy volunteers and the ability of graduated compression hosiery to reduce that volume were investigated with gamma scintigraphy. Changing posture from supine to upright, or pneumatic thigh cuffs inflated to either 20 or 40 mmHg with the subject supine, significantly increased leg blood volumes; the mean increase was: upright 126 ml, 20 mmHg cuff 44 ml, and 40 mmHg cuff 113 ml. A significant trend in reducing these volumes was noted in three brands of commercially available stockings, with the subject supine and without thigh cuffs (Page's L trend 132.5, P < 0.01) and when cuffs were applied at 20 mmHg (Page's L trend 128, P = 0.05). Few of the commercially available stockings delivered the 'standard' compression profile of 18 mmHg at the ankle, 14 mmHg at the calf and 8 mmHg at the upper thigh. The effects of other compression profiles were assessed, using custom-made stockings, and pneumatic cuffs inflated to 20 mmHg applied to the upper thighs to impede venous return. There was no consistent reduction of blood volume in the popliteal region, although decreases were seen in the upper and lower calf. The major determinant of performance was compression at the calf; the ankle to calf compression gradient was not important. Stockings with a profile of 16.8 mmHg at the ankle, 14.5 mmHg at the calf and 6.4 mmHg at the upper thigh performed best.     

Effect of dietary trans fatty acids on cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase activities in different organs of rats

The effect of trans fatty acids and essential fatty acid deficiency upon the activities of cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase in livers, hearts, brains and lungs of rats was studied. This study was performed using three groups of male albino rats. Two out of these three groups were fed essential fatty acid low diets containing 10% hydrogenated coconut oil (HCNO) or margarine stock (MS, partially hydrogenated soybean oil) while the third group was fed an adequate supply of essential fatty acids through a diet containing 10% corn oil (CO). In the group of rats fed HCNO the activities of cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase in their livers, hearts, brains and lungs were not significantly different from those of the control group fed CO. In the group of rats fed MS, the activity of cholinesterase was significantly decreased in the livers, hearts and brains, but not affected in the lungs, while the activity of monoamine oxidase was significantly decreased in the livers and hearts but not affected in the brains and lungs as compared to the control group fed CO. The levels of serum total lipids, total cholesterol and triglycerides were elevated in both groups of rats fed HCNO or MS than in the group fed CO, but this elevation was more highly significant in the group fed MS than in the group fed HCNO.     

The stress-protective effect of a new derivative of n-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids

It has been established that prophylactic oral administration of the new derivative of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids--P-55 in a daily dose of 0.2 g/kg during 30 days prevents some morphological and physiological manifestations of the chronic stress-syndrome in white rats. There were normalized body and some internal organs weights, content and distribution of ascorbic acid in the adrenal tissue; decreased intensity of gastric ulcerogenesis. The behaviour of animals became more quiet. It is concluded that the preparation P-55 has a stress-protective effect during its prophylactic administration.     

Strain and age effects on egg composition from hens fed diets rich in n-3 fatty acids

The objective of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of intra-articularly administered bupivacaine with bupivacaine/morphine during and after therapeutic knee arthroscopy. In a prospective, randomized study, 50 patients with clinical signs of medial meniscal injury were allocated to two groups, A and B. The patients in group A received 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine while the same dose of bupivacaine combined with 1 mg of morphine sulphate was administered in group B. Pain was estimated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) during surgery and at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after the operation was completed. Supplementary analgesic requirements were also registered, as well as the patients' overall rating of the entire procedure. The pain scores were significantly lower in Group B throughout the whole postoperative observation period. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of intraoperative pain scores, supplementary analgesic requirements, or the overall rating of the procedure. This study provides evidence that arthroscopic surgery can be performed in a safe manner after intra-articularly administered bupivacaine with or without low-dose morphine. The combination of low-dose morphine and bupivacaine did, however, produce a superior postoperative analgesic effect during the 24 hours following knee arthroscopy compared with bupivacaine alone.     

Effects of two low-fat diets, high and low in polyunsaturated fatty acids, on plasma lipid peroxides and serum vitamin E levels in free-living hypercholesterolaemic men

Diet enriched with polyunsaturated fat may increase the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation. Therefore the effects of two low-fat diets on plasma lipid peroxides in free-living mildly hypercholesterolaemic men (n = 37) were investigated in a randomized single-blind 28-week study. Composition of the diets were (1) American Heart Association (AHA) type 32/10:8:8 (indicating percentages of energy from total fat/saturated fat:monoenes:polyenes in actual diet); (2) low-fat 30/12:8:3. The subjects kept 3-day dietary records five times during the study to estimate the intake of nutrients. Plasma lipid peroxides were measured photometrically as the thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances (TBARS). Levels of serum vitamin E during the study were also determined. Mean change (+/- SD) in serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was similar in both groups (-0.32 +/- 0.76 vs -0.32 +/- 0.87 mmol/l) (AHA type vs low-fat). Level of TBARS decreased (P < 0.05) during the AHA type diet (-8.4 +/- 37.1%) (mean +/- SD) and increased (P = 0.228) during the low-fat diet (+8.7 +/- 27.0%) from 0 to 6 months. The mean intake of total active tocopherols was greater (14.7 +/- 3.7 mg) during the AHA type diet compared to the low-fat diet (7.8 +/- 2.1 mg). Serum vitamin E to LDL cholesterol ratio increased from 8.9 +/- 2.9 to 9.6 +/- 2.4 nmol/mmol (0 vs 6 months) (P = 0.07) during the AHA type diet and from 8.6 +/- 2.6 to 9.3 +/- 2.4 nmol/mmol (P = 0.159) during the low-fat diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Influence of fatty acids on the binding of calcium to human serum albumin

Fatty acids have been shown to influence the binding of calcium to human serum albumin. The calcium binding to albumin was enhanced when long-chain fatty acids were added to albumin prepared by two different methods and decreased when fatty acids were removed from albumin. Palmitic, stearic and oleic acids all exhibited this phenomenon. The effects of long-chain fatty acids on the binding of calcium to albumin in vitro appears to be of sufficient magnitude to have in vivo implications in calcium homeostasis and in determining the ratio of free to total calcium. Preliminary in vivo experiments have confirmed the calcium binding of fatty acids in serum and suggest a physiological role for this phenomena.     

Inclusion of coconut oil in diets for turkey breeders and its effects on embryonic yolk and liver fatty acids

Turkey hens were fed either a standard breeder diet (CON, myristic acid, C14.0, 1.1%; palmitic acid, C16:0, 16.8%; oleic acid, C18:1, 23%; linoleic acid, C18:2, 48.7%) or a diet containing 5% coconut oil (COCO) enriched with medium chain fatty acids (MCFA; lauric acid, C12:0, 22.6%; C14:0, 10.8%; C16:0, 12.5%; C18:1, 14.8%; C18:2, 24.6%). After 10 d on the diets, fresh eggs were collected for yolk lipid and fatty acid (FA) determination. An additional 60 to 95 eggs were incubated and the FA profiles of the neutral lipid (NL) and phospholipid (PL) fractions of yolk sac and liver lipids were determined. The NL fraction of the yolk sac from CON eggs contained less C12:0 (0 vs 0.49%) and C14:0 (0.7 vs 4.6%) and more C18:1 (41.3 vs 37.5%). The PL fraction of the yolk sac from both treatments contained < 1% C14:0, and there was less than a 2% difference between treatments in other FA concentrations. The hepatic NL fraction from both treatments contained < 1% C14:0 and only C18:1 showed > 1% differences between treatments (Control = 59.9%; COCO = 56.62%). There were no dietary effects on the FA profile of hepatic PL. The presence of only minimal quantities of MCFA in hepatic NL and PL suggests that absorbed yolk sac MCFA are extensively metabolized during embryonic development.     

The association between fasting hyperbilirubinaemia and serum non-esterified fatty acids in man

1. The concentrations of plasma total and unconjugated bilirubin and of serum nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) have been measured in two healthy subjects during fasts of up to 21 h. 2. Fasting was either continuous or interrupted by various procedures that altered the concentrations of NEFA and total bilirubin. 3. When NEFA concentrations were increased by the administration of noradrenaline, heparin or caffeine, bilirubin concentrations also rose. 4. When NEFA concentrations were lowered by insulin, bilirubin concentrations fell. 5. Meals of 3-138 kJ and more, taken during the fasting period, lowered total bilirubin and NEFA concentrations in both subjects, whereas the effects of smaller meals were less consistent. 6. These studies demonstrate a statistically significant correlation between total bilirubin and NEFA during uninterrupted fasting and an association between these variables under other experimental conditions. They suggest that the control of bilirubin concentrations in the blood is linked to lipid metabolism.     

Effect of essential and nonessential fatty acids in complex mixture on fatty acid composition of liver lipids

Linoleate, linolenate, arachidonate, docosahexenoate and six other fatty acids were major components of 24 ester preparations fed as 5% of the diet for 60 days to groups of male white rats. The experiment was designed so as to provide that all major fatty acid components were independent of each other in the sense that the intake of each was poorly correlated with the intake of any of the others. Fatty acid compositions of liver lipids were determined and were related to the composition of the diet lipids. Linolenate and docosahexaenoate contents of diet and tissue revealed the same relationships reported previously from experiments in which individual pure acid esters were added to a fat-free diet. Linoleate, when fed in lipid mixtures, was more effective in raising the linoleate concentration in liver lipids than when fed alone, but this increase did not change the shape of the dose-response curve or the estimated nutritional requirement. Large amounts of fish oil in the diet tended to depress the arachidonate concentration in tissue lipids.     

Acute effects of dietary fatty acids on the fatty acids of human milk

1. Effects on 5-HT function of sibutramine and its active metabolites, BTS 54 354 and BTS 54 505, were compared with fluoxetine, (+)-fenfluramine and (+)-amphetamine. 2. In vitro sibutramine weakly inhibited [3H]-5-HT uptake into brain synaptosomes. BTS 54 354, BTS 54 505 and fluoxetine were powerful [3H]-5-HT uptake inhibitors, whereas (+)-fenfluramine and (+)-amphetamine were very much weaker. Conversely, whilst sibutramine, its metabolites and fluoxetine did not release [3H]-5-HT from brain slices at < or = 10(-5)M, (+)-fenfluramine and (+)-amphetamine concentration-dependently increased [3H]-5-HT release. 3. Sibutramine and fluoxetine had no effect on 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) accumulation in either frontal cortex or hypothalamus at doses < 10 mg kg(-1). In contrast, (+)-amphetamine ( > or = 3 mg kg(-1)) reduced 5-HTP in hypothalamus, whilst (+)-fenfluramine (> or =1 mg kg(-1)) decreased 5-HTP in both regions. 4. Sibutramine (10 mg kg(-1) i.p.) and fluoxetine (10 mg kg(-1) i.p.) produced slow, prolonged increases of extracellular 5-HT in the anterior hypothalamus. In contrast, (+)-fenfluramine (3 mg kg(-1) i.p.) and (+)-amphetamine (4 mg kg(-1) i.p.) induced rapid, short-lasting increases in extracellular 5-HT. 5. Only (+)-fenfluramine (10 mg kg(-1)) altered 5-HT2A receptors in rat frontal cortex when given for 14 days, producing a 61% reduction in receptor number and a 18% decrease in radioligand affinity. 6. These results show that sibutramine powerfully enhances central 5-HT function via its secondary and primary amine metabolites; this effect, like that of fluoxetine, is almost certainly mediated through 5-HT uptake inhibition. By contrast, (+)-fenfluramine enhances 5-HT function predominantly by increasing 5-HT release. (+)-Amphetamine, though weaker than (+)-fenfluramine, also enhances 5-HT function by release.     

Essential fatty acids in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of multiple sclerosis patients

Statistical evaluation of essential fatty acids (determined by gas chromatography) in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with definite MS and acute CCT showed marked differences as compared to healthy subjects. It was also evident that the decrease of essential fatty acids in MS patients differed from that of CCT patients. Whereas the fatty acid levels in the serum of MS patients revealed only minor differences as compared to the controls and CCT patients, MS patients did show a clear decrease, especially of linoleic and arachidonic acids, in the CSF. This difference was most pronounced in cholesterol esters in the CSF. One absorption study with safflower oil demonstrated normal enteral absorption of essential fatty acids and the ability to cross the blood-CSF barrier.     

Effect of fatty acids on thyroid function tests in vitro and in vivo

Addition of long-chain fatty acids to serum increased thyroxine (T4), measured by a competitive protein binding assay, and triiodothyronine (T3) uptake by Sephadex or resin (T3U tests). This is compatible with the assumption that fatty acids compete with thyroxine for binding sites on T4-binding proteins. When equimolar concentrations of various saturated and unsaturated fatty acids were added to serum it was observed that the effectiveness in raising tests based on protein binding of thyroid hormones incrreased serum T3 determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). T4(RIA) was not significantly influenced by either saturated or unsaturated fatty acids. Serum T4(CPB) rose during storage at 22degreesC and 37degreesC but was stable at 4degreesC and --20degreesC for periods up to two weeks. The proportional increase in T4(CPB) and free fatty acids (FFA) indicated that this phenomenon was due, at least partly, to the interference from FFA formed during storage of the serum. There was also a small, significant increase in T3U, T3(RIA) and CT4I (a free thyroxine estimate) after storage of serum at room temperature or higher for one to two weeks. Serum T4(RIA) did not alter during two weeks of storage. In five subjects with raised serum FFA after eating a fat meal followed by a heparin injection an increase in T4(CPB), T3U, T3(RIA) and CT4I that was proportional to the increase in FFA was observed. This effect on the thyroid tests was small until the increase in FFA concentration exceeded 2 mmol/l. T4(RIA) did not respond to the increase in FFA. In ten patients with raised levels of FFA due to uncontrolled diabetes T4(CPB), T4(RIA) and T3(RIA) decreased while T3U increased. These unexpected alterations were probably related to the severe, chronic illness in these patients. Increased FFA in vivo seem to be of little importance for the interpretation of thyroid tests in clinical practice.     

Influence of soybean oil in high fiber diets fed to nonlactating cows on ruminal unsaturated fatty acids and nutrient digestibility

An experiment with a 5 x 5 Latin square design was conducted to determine the effects of the addition of soybean oil to high fiber diets on ruminal fermentation and ruminal lipid concentrations. Diets were 50% bermudagrass hay and 50% concentrate. Soybean oil was added to diets at 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8% of the dietary dry matter (DM). Ruminal samples were collected every 2 h on the last day of each period and analyzed for volatile fatty acids and lipids. The addition of soybean oil decreased DM and organic matter intake but increased fatty acid intake. Soybean oil had no effect on total tract digestibility of DM, organic matter, N, or neutral detergent fiber but decreased digestibility of fatty acids. The addition of soybean oil decreased total volatile fatty acid concentrations and the acetate to propionate ratio. Ruminal concentrations of unsaturated free fatty acids increased nonlinearly as soybean oil in the diets increased but remained < 0.67 mg/g of DM or 3% of the total fatty acids. Ruminal concentrations of total fatty acids and total saturated fatty acids increased nonlinearly as soybean oil in the diets increased. Total unsaturated fatty acid concentrations increased linearly as soybean oil increased. Neutral lipid concentrations in the rumen did not respond to increased soybean oil. These data indicate that large amounts of soybean oil can be fed in high fiber diets without greatly increasing the concentration of ruminal unsaturated fatty acids or depressing nutrient digestibility.     

Effect of fatty acids on lipid and apoprotein secretion and association in hepatocyte cultures

Increasing availability of free fatty acids (FFA) to liver results in enhanced rates of secretion of triglycerides in lipoproteins. However, as FFA uptake increases, triglyceride secretory rates reach a plateau and esterified fatty acids accumulate intracellularly, suggesting that something is limiting lipid transport out of the liver. One possibility could be the limited availability of apoproteins. To test this hypothesis, primary rat hepatocytes in culture were incubated with increasing amounts of FFA (0-2.1 mumol/dish) and the amounts of lipids and apoproteins inside the cells and in culture media were measured; the latter by specific radioimmunoassays. Media also were fractionated on Sepharose 2B and 6B columns and the elution profiles of apoproteins were obtained. With exposure to increasing amounts of free fatty acids, hepatocytes took up more fatty acids and intracellular levels of triglycerides rose (from 71 to 146 micrograms/mg cell protein). Concomitantly, media triglycerides nearly doubled (31 to 51 micrograms/mg). Incorporation of [3H]glyceride into cellular and media triglyceride also rose. However, levels of apoproteins A-I, B, C-III3, and E in cells and media were unchanged. The increasing amounts of triglycerides in media were present in larger particles, as demonstrated on gel permeation chromatography. The elution profiles of apoproteins B, C-III3, and E were altered in that a greater proportion of the apoproteins eluted with larger particles. Similar results were obtained when hepatocytes were preloaded with increasing amounts of FFA over 12 h and analyses of cells and media were carried out 8 and 22 h after removal of fatty acids from the media. During loading of cells, accumulation of cellular triglycerides was directly related to media FFA concentrations. During unloading, triglyceride secretory rates were related to cellular triglyceride levels. At higher triglyceride secretory rates larger particles were secreted and a greater proportion of apoproteins was associated with the larger particles, but total amounts of apoproteins in the system did not change. These data lead us to suggest that enhanced rates of apoprotein synthesis need not occur in the response to acute changes in hepatic lipid transport, rather, increased secretion of lipid is brought about by augmented intracellular lipid apoprotein association.     

Differences in tissue fatty acids and cholesterol of swine from different genetic backgrounds

A review of 1,000 consecutive coronary angiograms, most of them performed for evaluation of angina pectoris, yielded 9 examples of congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries. In 2 cases the angina may have been due to malposition of the left coronary artery or one of its branches. There were 2 cases of aberrant origin of the circumflex artery from the right coronary artery, 2 cases of aberrant left anterior descending artery, 3 cases in which all three major coronary branches arose from the right aortic sinus, and 2 cases of coronary artery fistulas. Malposition of the coronary artery should be considered as a possible cause of angina.