核桃仁抗氧化活性研究

采用清除二苯代苦味肼基(DPPH)自由基、清除[2,2′-连氨-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)二氨盐](ABTS)自由基及铁离子还原/抗氧化能力(FRAP)测定法,对核桃仁提取物进行抗氧化活性评价,并与阳性对照没食子酸丙酯(PG)、丁基羟基茴香醚(BHA)和二丁基羟基甲苯(BHT)进行比较。在核桃仁提取物中,乙酸乙酯提取物清除DPPH和ABTS自由基的能力(IC50值分别为1.58 mg/L和1.69 mg/L)强于BHA(IC50值分别为3.43 mg/L和1.72 mg/L)和BHT(IC50值分别为18.79 mg/L和6.04 mg/L),弱于PG(IC50值分别为0.86 mg/L和0.66 mg/L);乙酸乙酯提取物还原Fe3+的能力最强〔FRAP值为(13212.99±55.35)μmol TE/g〕,强于PG〔FRAP值为(10617.75±138.38)μmol TE/g〕、BHA〔FRAP值为(7383.10±121.08)μmol TE/g〕和BHT〔FRAP值为(1748.49±3.46)μmol TE/g〕;核桃仁正丁醇提取物清除DPPH和ABTS自由基的能力(IC50值分别为4.94和1.90 mg/L)以及还原Fe3+的能力〔FRAP值为(2299.99±27.68)μmol TE/g〕强于BHT。结果表明,核桃仁乙酸乙酯和正丁醇提取物都具有很好的抗氧化活性,且乙酸乙酯提取物活性强于正丁醇提取物。     

Einfluß von Fettreduktion und Substitution mit einem Fettersatzstoff auf den Vitamin E-Gehalt im Plasma und auf die Oxidierbarkeit der LDL

Effects of Fat Reduction and Replacement with a Fat Substitute on Vitamin E Content in Plasma and on LDL Oxidation Ten healthy obese volunteers (Broca + 136) were supplemented with α-tocopherol 140 mg/d and retinol-acetate 50000 IU/d for 2 weeks. Then they were observed during 4 weeks on a conventional 1000 kcal diet, with fat providing 30% of the energy intake. During the following 4 weeks 30% of the dietary fat were replaced by a protein based fat substitute (Simplesse). At the end of the supplementation with vitamins, and at the ends of the two reduction diets, fasting blood samples were drawn for determinations of plasma lipids, α-tocopherol, retinal and β-carotene and for measurements of LDL-oxidation. After supplementation the average concentration of α-tocopherol in plasma was 37 ± 16.5 μmol/1; the conventional diet decreased this vitamin to 28 μmol/1, no further effect of the fat substitute was observed on this parameter. The individual values varied between 19 – 70 μmol/1, the low values corresponded to a high oxidation rate of LDL and vice versa. Copper induced LDL-oxidation was inversely correlated to the α-tocopherol concentrations. Compared to preexperimental values, it was significantly increased at the end of the conventional 1000 kcal diet, and even more by the fat substitute.     

Conjugated linoleic acid supplementation in humans: effects on fatty acid and glycerol kinetics

Recent studies with mouse adipocytes have shown that dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may reduce body fat by increasing lipolysis. The present study examined the effect of CLA supplementation on fatty acid and glycerol kinetics in six healthy, adult women who were participating in a controlled metabolic ward study. These women were fed six CLA capsules per day (3.9 g/d) for 64 d following a baseline period of 30 d. The subjects were confined to a metabolic suite for the entire 94-d study, where diet and activity were controlled and held constant. The rate of appearance (Ra) of glycerol, which indicates lipolytic rates, was similar at baseline and after 4 wk of CLA supplementation at rest (1.87±0.21 and 2.00±0.39 μmol/kg/min, respectively) and during exercise (7.12±0.74 and 6.40±0.99 μmol/kg/min, respectively). Likewise, the Ra of free fatty acids (FFA) was not significantly different after 4 wk of dietary CLA at rest (2.72±0.06 and 2.74±0.12 μmol/kg/min, respectively) or during exercise (6.99±0.40 and 5.88±0.29 μmol/kg/min, respectively). CLA supplementation also had no effect on the percentage of FFA released from lipolysis that were re-esterified. The apparent rate of FFA re-esterification was 65.2±4.2% at rest and 32.1±3.44% during exercise. Four weeks of CLA supplementation had no significant effect on fatty acid or glycerol metabolism in healthy, weight-stable, adult women.     

拳参抗氧化活性研究

用清除二苯代苦味酰基（DPPH）自由基、2,2’-连氨-（3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸）二氨盐（ABTS）自由基和铁离子还原／抗氧化能力（FRAP）测定法对拳参体外总抗氧化活性进行评价．并与6-羟基-2,5,7,8-四甲基苯并二氢吡喃-2-羧酸（Trolox）及阳性对照二丁基羟基甲苯（BHT）比较。发现拳参有较好的体外抗氧化活性。甲醇提取物清除DPPH自由基（IC50=3．81μg／mL）的能力远远强于BHT的清除能力（IC50=18．71μg／mL）;清除ABTS自由基能力（IC50=7．65μg／mL）强于BHT（IC50=7．72μg／mL）的清除能力;还原Fe^3＋的能力（FRAP=2009．51±16．44μmol TE／g）最强,强于BHT（FRAP=1581．68±97．41μmol TE／g）。在3种提取物中,甲醇提取物具有最高的抗氧化能力,乙酸乙酯提取物次之。3种方法中,ABTS方法和FRAP方法相关性（R=0．984）最高。     

Lowering plasma homocysteine with vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid. Effect on lipids concentration in patients with secondary hyperlipoproteinemia type IV, with and without Lovastatina treatment

The concentration of plasma homocysteine was diminished by the oral use of vitamins B6 (300 mg/day), B12 (250 microg/day) and folic acid (10 mg/day), and the effect was studied in the lipids of patient with hiperlipoproteinemia secondary type IV, during 120 days, in 30 patients, 45 to 70 years old, with myocardial heart attack. They were divided in group A (n=15) without treatment with Lovastatin and group B (n=15) with Lovastatin. Basal homocysteine concentration was 17.4 +/- 1.0 micromol/L and 16.7 +/- 1.0 micromol/L for the groups A and B respectively, diminishing 24% at the end of the experimental time, in both groups. Total cholesterol decreased below 220 mg/dl, while the triglycerides diminished 25.4 mg/dl and 27.0 mg/dl in groups A and B respectively, by each micromol/L of homocysteine catabolissed. Low density lipoproteins (LDL) and very low density (VLDL) diminished significantly (p < 0.005), while the high-density (HDL) increased 1.0 mg/dl in group A and 1.15 mg/dl in group B, for each micromol/L of homocysteine metabolized, lowering the coronary risk factor in 28.5% group A and 35.9% group B. We concluded that these vitamins decreased plasma homocysteine concentration, promoting the lowering of lipids and lipoprotein concentratation in this type of patients; while Lovastatin doesn't reduce homocysteine, but it had a synergic effect with the vitamins, dicreasing the lipid concentration, in group B.     

珍珠菜的抗氧化活性

用清除二苯代苦味肼基自由基、清除2,2′-连氨-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)自由基和铁离子还原/抗氧化能力测定法,分析了珍珠菜提取物总的抗氧化作用。在珍珠菜提取物中,甲醇提取物清除二苯代苦味肼基自由基能力(IC50值为12.28mg/L)比阳性对照BHT作用强(IC50值为18.79mg/L);甲醇提取物对清除2,2′-连氨-(3-乙基苯并噻唑啉-6-磺酸)自由基能力(IC50值为7.52mg/L)比BHT(IC50值为6.04mg/L)清除能力略低;甲醇提取物还原Fe3+的能力(FRAP值为1179.40±46.70μmolTE/g)比BHT(FRAP值为1748.49±3.46μmolTE/g)略低。珍珠菜3种提取物中,甲醇提取物具有较高的抗氧化能力。该文报告工作的新颖性,已为河南省医学情报研究所2008年5月30日出具的第2008113号《科技查新报告》所证实。     

Higher Increase in Plasma DHA in Females Compared to Males Following EPA Supplementation May Be Influenced by a Polymorphism in ELOVL2: An Exploratory Study

Young adult females have higher blood docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), 22:6n-3 levels than males, and this is believed to be due to higher DHA synthesis rates, although DHA may also accumulate due to a longer half-life or a combination of both. However, sex differences in blood fatty acid responses to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), 20:5n-3 or DHA supplementation have not been fully investigated. In this exploratory analysis, females and males (n = 14–15 per group) were supplemented with 3 g/day EPA, 3 g/day DHA, or olive oil control for 12 weeks. Plasma was analyzed for sex effects at baseline and changes following 12 weeks' supplementation for fatty acid levels and carbon-13 signature (δ¹³C). Following EPA supplementation, the increase in plasma DHA in females (+23.8 ± 11.8, nmol/mL ± SEM) was higher than males (−13.8 ± 9.2, p < 0.01). The increase in plasma δ¹³C-DHA of females (+2.79 ± 0.31, milliUrey (mUr ± SEM) compared with males (+1.88 ± 0.44) did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.10). The sex effect appears driven largely by increased plasma DHA in the AA genotype of females (+58.8 ± 11.5, nmol/mL ± SEM, n = 5) compared to GA + GG in females (+4.34 ± 13.5, n = 9) and AA in males (−29.1 ± 17.2, n = 6) for rs953413 in the ELOVL2 gene (p < 0.001). In conclusion, EPA supplementation increases plasma DHA levels in females compared to males, which may be dependent on the AA genotype for rs953413 in ELOVL2.     

Influence of different reactor types on Nannochloropsis oculata microalgae culture for lipids and fatty acid production

Greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere by burning of fossil fuels cause global warming. One option is obtaining biodiesel. Nannochloropsis oculata was cultured under different light intensities and reactors at 25°C for 21 days with f/2 medium to assess their effects on cell density, lipid, and fatty acids (FAs). N. oculata improved cell density on fed-batch glass tubular reactor (7 L) at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹, yielding 3.5 × 10⁸ cells ml⁻¹, followed by fed-batch Erlenmeyer flask (1 L) at 650 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹ with 1.7 × 10⁸ cells ml⁻¹. The highest total lipid contents (% g lipid × g dry biomass⁻¹) were 44.4 ± 0.8% for the reactor (1 L) at 650 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹ and 35.2 ± 0.2% for the tubular reactor (7 L) at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹, until twice as high compared with the control culture (Erlenmeyer flask 1 L, 80 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹) with 21.2 ± 1%. Comparing the total lipid content at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹, tubular reactor (7 L) and reactor 1 L achieved 35.2 ± 0.2% and 28.3 ± 1%, respectively, indicating the effect of shape reactor. The FAs were affected by high light intensity, decreasing SFAs to 2.5%, and increased monounsaturated fatty acids + polyunsaturated fatty acids to 2.5%. PUFAs (20:5n-3) and (20:4n-3) were affected by reactor shape, decreasing by half in the tubular reactor. In the best culture, fed-batch tubular reactor (7 L) at 200 μmol E m⁻² s⁻¹ contains major FAs (16:0; 38.06 ± 0.16%), (16:1n-7; 30.74 ± 0.58%), and (18:1n-9; 17.15 ± 0.91%).     

Folic Acid Inhibits Amyloid β-Peptide Production through Modulating DNA Methyltransferase Activity in N2a-APP Cells

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease resulting in progressive dementia, and is a principal cause of dementia among older adults. Folate acts through one-carbon metabolism to support the methylation of multiple substrates. We hypothesized that folic acid supplementation modulates DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity and may alter amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) production in AD. Mouse Neuro-2a cells expressing human APP695 were incubated with folic acid (2.8–40 μmol/L), and with or without zebularine (the DNMT inhibitor). DNMT activity, cell viability, Aβ and DNMTs expression were then examined. The results showed that folic acid stimulated DNMT gene and protein expression, and DNMT activity. Furthermore, folic acid decreased Aβ protein production, whereas inhibition of DNMT activity by zebularine increased Aβ production. The results indicate that folic acid induces methylation potential-dependent DNMT enzymes, thereby attenuating Aβ production.     

Synthesis and in vitro biological evaluation as antitumour drug carriers of folate‐targeted N‐isopropylacrylamide‐based nanohydrogels

Copolymeric nanohydrogels based on N‐isopropylacrylamide, N‐(pyridin‐4‐ylmethyl)acrylamide and tert‐butyl‐2‐acrylamidoethyl carbamate, synthesized by microemulsion polymerization, were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and their size (38–52 nm) determined using quasielastic light scattering. Folic acid was covalently attached to the nanohydrogels (1.40 ± 0.07 mmol g^?1). Tamoxifen (6.7 ± 0.2–7.3 ± 1.2 µg TMX mg^?1 nanohydrogel), a hydrophobic anticancer drug, and 5‐fluorouracil (7.7 ± 0.7–10.14 ± 1.75 µg 5‐FU mg^?1 nanohydrogel), a hydrophilic anticancer drug, were loaded into the nanohydrogels. Maximum in vitro TMX release (77–84% of loaded drug) depended on interactions of the drug with hydrophobic clusters of the nanogels; however, no nanogel/5‐FU interactions allowed total release of the loaded drug. The cytotoxicity of unloaded nanohydrogels in MCF7, T47D and HeLa cells was low. Cell uptake of nanogels without bound folic acid took place in the three cell types by unspecific internalization in a time‐dependent process. Cell uptake increased for folic acid‐targeted nanohydrogels in T47D and HeLa cells, which have folate receptors. The administration of 10 and 30 µmol L^?1 TMX by TMX‐loaded nanogels and 10 µmol L^?1 5‐FU by 5‐FU‐loaded nanogels was effective on the three cell types, and the best results were obtained for folic acid‐targeted nanohydrogels. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Vitamin E supplementation increases circulating vitamin E metabolites tenfold in end-stage renal disease patients

Vitamin E supplementation could elevate circulating vitamin E metabolites while modulating oxidative and inflammatory status in end-stage renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. Plasma concentrations of carboxyethyl-hydroxychromanols (α-and γ-CEHC), ascorbic acid, α-and γ-tocopherols, E₂-isoprostanes, and inflammatory biomarkers [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), ferritin, and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were measured in blood samples obtained from patients (n=11) before and after dialysis on two occasions prior to, and at 1 and 2 mon of daily vitamin E supplementation (400 IU RRR-α-tocopherol). Supplementation nearly doubled plasma α-tocopherol concentrations (from 18±0.5 to 31±1.7 μM, P<0.0001), whereas γ-tocopherol concentrations decreased (from 2.8±0.3 to 1.7±0.2 μM, P=0.001). Serum α-CEHC increased 10-fold from 68±3 to 771±175 nM (P<0.0001), and γ-CEHC increased from 837±164 to 1136±230 nM (P=0.008). Vitamin E supplementation also increased postdialysis hematocrits from 38±1% to 41±1% (P<0.001). Dietary antioxidant intakes (vitamins E and C) were low in most subjects; plasma ascorbic acid levels (88±27 μM) decreased significantly with dialysis (33±11 μM, P=0.01). Plasma Il-6, CRP, TNF-α, and free F₂-isoprostane concentrations were elevated throughout the study. There is a complex relationship between chronic inflammation and oxidative stress that is not mitigated by short-term vitamin E supplementation. Importantly, serum vitamin E metabolite concentrations that increased 10-fold within 30 d of supplementation did not increase further, suggesting routes other than urine for removal of metabolites.     

Effect of human mammary MX-1 tumor on plasma free fatty acids in fasted and fasted-refed nude mice

We hypothesized that tumor-bearing (TB) nude mice, because they are reported to have no detectable, circulating tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/cachectin, would regulate their plasma free fatty acid (FFA) levels normally when fasted and refed. We compared levels of individual plasma FFA in response to fasting (24 hr) and to refeeding (for 20 hr after fasting) a fat-free, 65% sucrose diet in control, nude mice and in mice bearing 1.3±0.4 g MX-1 tumors. Total plasma FFA levels were typically high in 24-hr fasted mice [mean concentrations in μM±SE (n); controls 515±63 (6); TB, 625±63 (6)]. FFA levels were reduced by 65% in each group in response to refeeding. Each major plasma FFA species fell in response to refeeding, except arachidonate, which did not change significantly (fastedvs. fasted-refed concentrations) in either controls or TB mice. In refed mice, the molar FFA ratio of oleate to linoleate rose; however, that of oleate to arachidonate fell markedly. TB nude mice had normal appetites. We conclude that all species of FFA were mobilized from adipose tissue in a normal manner in TB nude mice; therefore, regulation of adipose triacylglycerol fatty acid mobilization (as plasma FFA) by dietary sugar is probably not affected by MX-1 tumor growth in these mice. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that nude mice may be unable to secrete TNF/cachectin in response to tumor growth, but they do not establish whether or not endogenous, circulating TNF/cachectin increases FFA mobilization in any TB animal.     

Comparison of Two Enzyme Sequences for a Novel L-Malate Biosensor

Two novel amperometric biosensors for the determination of L -malic acid in food samples have been compared. Both sensors make use of a Clark-type O₂-electrode but differ in the enzymes used. The first sensor is composed of malate dehydrogenase (decarboxylating), also known as ‘malic enzyme’ (MDH(dec.), EC 1.1.1.40) and pyruvate oxidase (POP, EC 1.2.3.3). It covers a linear detection range from 1 μmol dm⁻³ to 0·9 mmol dm⁻³ L -malate, with a response time of 1·5 min (t₉₀) and a relative standard deviation of 3·5%. Measurements with real samples offered a good correlation with the standard enzymatic assay (difference ±7%). Stored at room temperature, the response of the sensor is constant for 8 days. The second biosensor is based on the three enzyme sequence malate dehydrogenase (MDH, EC 1.1.1.37), oxaloacetate decarboxylase (OAC, EC 4.1.1.3) and pyruvate oxidase (POP, EC 1.2.3.3). It has a non-linear calibration curve. Concentrations from 5 μmol dm⁻³ to 1 mmol dm⁻³ L -malate can be detected, within a response time of 1·5 min and with a relative standard deviation of 20%. The lower detection limit for L -malate is 2 μmol dm⁻³. The response is constant for 10 days when the sensor is stored at room temperature.     

Increasing DHA and EPA Concentrations Prolong Action Potential Durations and Reduce Transient Outward Potassium Currents in Rat Ventricular Myocytes

The goal of this study was to determine the mechanisms of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) on anti-arrhythmias and prevention of sudden death. The calcium-tolerant Sprague–Dawley rat ventricular myocytes were isolated by enzyme digestion. Effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on action potentials and transient outward potassium currents (I _to) of epicardial ventricular myocytes were investigated using whole-cell patch clamp techniques. Action potential durations (APDs) and I _to were observed in different concentrations of DHA and EPA. APD₂₅, APD₅₀, and APD₉₀ with 0.1 μmol/L DHA and EPA were prolonged less than 15% and 10%. However, APDs were prolonged in concentration-dependent manners when DHA and EPA were more than 1 μmol/L. APD₂₅, APD₅₀, and APD₉₀ were 7.7 ± 2.0, 21.2 ± 3.5, and 100.1 ± 9.8 ms respectively with 10 μmol/L DHA, and 7.2 ± 2.5, 12.8 ± 4.2, and 70.5 ± 10.7 ms respectively with 10 μmol/L EPA. I _to currents were gradually reduced with the increased concentrations of DHA and EPA from 1 to 100 μmol/L, and their half-inhibited concentrations were 2.3 ± 0.2 and 3.8 ± 0.6 μmol/L. The results showed APDs were prolonged and I _to current densities were gradually reduced with the increased concentrations of DHA and EPA. The anti-arrhythmia mechanisms of n-3 PUFA are complex, however, the effects of n-3 PUFA on action potentials and I _to may be one of the important mechanisms.     

肾移植微嵌合体与免疫耐受相关性研究

目的　探讨肾移植术后受者微嵌合体与免疫耐受的相关性。方法　采集接受男性供体肾脏移植术后女性受者不同生存期外周血及尿沉渣标本 ,采用Y染色体 3对引物SRY1、DYZ11st和DYZ12nd,应用PCR和RT PCR方法检测标本中微嵌合体特异性标志Y染色体DNA和mRNA的表达 ,同时测定移植肾功能。结果　在 130例肾移植受者中 ,检测到嵌合阳性者 98例 ,占 75 .39% ,嵌合阴性者 32例 ,占 2 4 .6 1%。嵌合阳性与阴性两组比较 ,移植肾平均存活时间分别为 8.7± 3.5年和 5 .4± 3.3年 ;嵌合阳性者发生过排斥反应者 11例 ,占 11.2 2 % ,而嵌合阴性者9例 ,占 2 8.13% ;血清肌酐在嵌合阳性者为 74 .3μmol L±32 .5 μmol L ,而嵌合阴性者为113.6 μmol L±37.8μmol L。结论　受者体内嵌合阳性比阴性者具有更好的移植肾功能和低排斥率 ;受者生存期愈长 ,嵌合阳性率愈高 ;体内的嵌合状态与免疫耐受具有相关性     

Determination of the total glucosinolate content in canola by reaction with thymol and sulfuric acid

Intact glucosinolates in seeds and meals of rapeseed and canola were isolated and purified on small DEA ion-exchange columns. After being eluted with potassium sulfate the glucosinolates were hydrolyzed with sulfuric acid to produce thioglucose which was determined as a complex with thymol. The method was compared to a gas liquid chromatography (GLC) procedure which determines aliphatic glucosinolates. The extra amount of glucosnilates found (ca. 14 ]gmmol/g oil-free) was equal to the sum of those not determined by GLC. The thymol method had a standard error of ±3 μmol/g compared with a standard error of ±1 μmol/g for the GLC procedure for the same set of 18 samples ranging from 10 μmol/g to 100 μmol/g (oil-free, 8.5% moisture basis) of aliphatic glucosinolates. This is paper No. 626 of the Canadian Grain Commission, Grain Research Laboratory, 1404-303 Main St., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3C 3G8     

尾加压素Ⅱ对大鼠近端肾小管上皮NRK-52E细胞增殖和细胞周期的影响

目的探讨尾加压素Ⅱ(UⅡ)对大鼠近端肾小管上皮NRK-52E细胞增殖和细胞周期的影响及其机制。方法在NRK-52E细胞培养液中加入10-10、10-9、10-8和10-7mol/L UⅡ,同时设UⅡ活性阻断组:UⅡ+尼卡地平和UⅡ+EDTA,以单纯DMEM为对照组。培养48 h后,采用5-溴-2′-脱氧尿嘧啶核苷(BrdU)掺入法检测各组细胞的增殖活性,流式细胞术分析细胞周期。结果UⅡ(10-10~10-8mol/L)以浓度依赖方式促进NRK-52E细胞BrdU掺入(A值分别为0.491±0.038、0.291±0.024和0.281±0.037),其中以10-8mol/L UⅡ的作用最明显,10-7mol/L UⅡ对NRK-52E细胞增殖的影响与对照组比较差异无显著意义。UⅡ影响NRK-52E细胞周期,在10-10~10-8mol/L浓度范围内增加S期细胞百分比(分别为26.96%±3.35%、44.26%±3.28%、48.12%±2.22%)。尼卡地平和EDTA均可以降低UⅡ诱导NRK-52E细胞的BrdU掺入增加,降低S期细胞百分比。结论UⅡ具有较强促进NRK-52E细胞增殖的作用,但大剂量则无此作用,其诱导NRK-52E细胞增殖作用部分是通过Ca2+内流来介导的。     

Molecularly Imprinted Membranes with Affinity Properties for Folic Acid

The extraction of folic acid from aqueous solutions was proposed through a novel procedure based on the membrane separation process using the approach of molecular imprinting. Molecularly imprinted membranes were prepared via the phase inversion technique using poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylamide) copolymer as the membrane material and folic acid as the template molecule. Poly(acrylonitrile)-based membranes were also prepared as the reference material. Polymer composition, membrane preparation method, and the pH used in the binding experiments were the parameters which mostly influenced the recognition properties of the imprinted membranes. In particular, the solvent evaporation method allowed to obtain poly(acrylonitrile-co-acrylamide) imprinted membranes which at pH 5.0 showed a specific binding capacity of 5.3 µmol/g_memb. Corresponding blank membranes (prepared in absence of the template molecule), only showed a poor non-specific binding of 1.0 µmol/g_memb. Polyacrylonitrile-based membranes showed lower folic acid retention (1.5 µmol/g_memb. when prepared in the presence of the template and 0.9 µmol/g_memb. when prepared in the absence of the template).     

Relationships between Very Low-Density Lipoproteins–Ceramides, −Diacylglycerols,and –Triacylglycerols in Insulin-Resistant Men

This short report describes the relationships between concentrations of ceramides (CER), diacylglycerols (DAG), triacylglycerols (TAG) in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) particles, and hepatic lipid accumulation. VLDL particles were isolated from male subjects (n = 12, mean ± SD, age 42.1 ± 5.4 years, BMI 37.4 ± 4.1 kg/m², ALT 45 ± 21 U/L) and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100), VLDL-TAG, -CER, and -DAG quantified. The contents of all three lipids were highly correlated with VLDL particle number (r ≥ 0.768, p ≤ 0.003). The molar quantity of VLDL-TAG was 3× that of DAG and 137× that of CER (14,053 ± 5714, 5004 ± 2714, and 105 ± 49 mol/mol apoB100, respectively). Reduced VLDL-CER concentrations were associated with both higher insulin levels (r = −0.645, p = 0.024) and intrahepatic-TAG (r = −0.670, p = 0.017). In fatty liver, the secretion of hepatic TAG, CER, and DAG may be suppressed and contribute to intrahepatic lipotoxicity. The mechanisms by which hepatic-CER and -DAG synthesis and assembly into VLDL is coordinately controlled with TAG will be important in understanding the emerging role of elevated CER contributing to cardiometabolic disease.