Effect of the fatty acid composition of ingested fats on rat liver intermediary metabolism

A "chronic" study of an implantable bladder pacemaker revealed that, although the electrode array did not significantly impair vesical function during the 10 weeks of research, electric stimulation did spread to the voluntary perineal musculature. There was also a drop in bladder response to the same stimulation parameters, probably due to progressive development of fibrous reaction and encasement of electrodes.     

Characterizations of Pneumocystis carinii and rat lung lipids: glyceryl ethers and fatty alcohols

Pneumocystis carinii carinii and rat lung phospholipids contained 3-6% 1-alkyl-2-acyl glycerols composed of the glyceryl ether species, 1-O-octadecyl glycerol (batyl alcohol), 1-O-octadec-9-enyl glycerol (selachyl alcohol), 1-O-hexadecyl glycerol (chimyl alcohol), and 1-O-hexadec-9-enyl glycerol. Of the major phospholipid classes, phosphatidylinositol (PI) and phosphatidylserine contained the highest percentage of alkyl acyl glycerols. Methylprednisolone treatment caused an increase in alkyl acyl PI of rat lung lipids from 12% to 45%. As the PI concentration in lung phospholipids increases in rats treated with methylprednisolone, the increase in alkyl acyl PI was substantial; the proportions of alkyl acyl phosphatidylethanolamine and alkyl acyl lyso phosphatidylcholine (PC) also increased. Pneumocystis phospholipids contained higher proportions of alkyl acyl PC than the phospholipids of the lungs from normal and immunosuppressed uninfected rats. The glyceryl ether compositions of P. carinii carinii PC and lyso PC were similar, which suggests that lyso PC in the organism is derived by phospholipase A2 action on PC. This was not the case for PC and lyso PC of the lung controls. Analysis of the free fatty alcohols, precursors of glyceryl ethers identified only saturated species in P. carinii carinii and rat lung controls. Thus, the introduction of a double bond in the alcohol moiety of glyceryl ethers occurs after formation of the ether linkage between fatty alcohol and the glyceryl backbone.     

Substitution of alanine for serine 250 in the murine fatty acid transport protein inhibits long chain fatty acid transport

The murine fatty acid transport protein (FATP) was identified on the basis of its ability to facilitate uptake of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) when expressed in mammalian cells. To delineate FATP domains important for transport function, we cloned the human heart FATP ortholog. Comparison of the human, murine, and yeast amino acid sequences identified a highly conserved motif, IYTSGTTGXPK, also found in a number of proteins that form adenylated intermediates. We demonstrate that depletion of intracellular ATP dramatically reduces FATP-mediated LCFA uptake. Furthermore, wild-type FATP specifically binds [alpha-32P]azido-ATP. Introduction of a serine to alanine substitution (S250A) in the IYTSGTTGXPK motif produces an appropriately expressed and metabolized mutant FATP that demonstrates diminished LCFA transport function and decreased [alpha-32P]azido-ATP binding. These results are consistent with a mechanism of action for FATP involving ATP binding that is dependent on serine 250 of the IYTSGTTGXPK motif.     

Effects of fatty acid sucrose esters on ceftibuten transport by rat intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles

The effects of fatty acid sucrose esters on membrane lipid dynamics and ceftibuten transport by rat intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) were examined to clarify the differences in the action of mono- and poly-acyl sucrose esters on the drug transport. Fatty acid sucrose mono-acyl ester (SS) inhibited ceftibuten transport by BBMV similar to the action of polyoxyethylene sorbitans (Tweens), while fatty acid sucrose polyacyl ester mixtures (F-160 and F-140) did not affect the drug transport by BBMV. SS but not F-160 and F-140 caused an increase in the anisotropy of 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH)- and 1-(4-trimethylammoniumphenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene iodide (TMA-DPH)-labeled BBMV in a concentration-dependent manner. Thus, the uptake of ceftibuten by BBMV was strongly correlated with the lipid fluidity of BBMV, in the outer layer and in the inner hydrophobic regions; however, there was no strong correlation between the membrane lipid fluidity and the drug uptake by BBMV. The micelle size and the size distribution of F-160 and F-140 were larger and more widely dispersed, respectively, compared to those of SS and Tweens. These results suggest that the effects of fatty acid sucrose esters on ceftibuten transport by BBMV are related to the dispersion parameter of these pharmaceutical adjuvants.     

On the mechanism of long chain fatty acid transport in cardiomyocytes as facilitated by cytoplasmic fatty acid-binding protein

Fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) is abundantly present in the cytoplasm of the cardiomyocyte, i.e. the cell which causes the contractile activity of the heart. Although FABP is thought to act as an intracellular long chain fatty acid (FA) carrier, definite experimental proof on this putative function has yet to be obtained. In the present study, experimental results from several authors were combined in an attempt to elucidate the precise physiological function of heart-type FABP in cardiac FA transport. It was calculated that, under normal conditions, the major part of FA in the cardiomyocyte is dissolved in lipid bilayers and that the presence of FABP in the heart enhances the aqueous solubility of FA more than 700-fold despite the fact that only a minor part (< 2%) of the total FABP content is then complexed with FA. Moreover, it is shown that, as a result of the enhanced cytoplasmic solubility, the FA flux from sarcolemma (the cellular membrane of the cardiomyocyte) to mitochondria is increased at least 17-fold in the presence of physiological amounts of FABP compared with the hypothetical situation in which FABP is absent. These calculations indicate the involvement of FABP in the transport of FA from the sarcolemma to those mitochondria lying in the innermost region of the cardiomyocyte. The extent to which FABP facilitates FA trafficking through the cytoplasm of the cardiomyocyte under physiological circumstances remains, however, to be established.     

Role of chloride transport in the development of the rat blastocyst

Preimplantation mammalian development culminates in the generation of a fluid-filled cavity, the blastocoel, which requires the vectorial transport of ions across the trophectoderm, followed by the movement of water. Experiments were carried out to establish the role of Cl- transport in blastocoel formation in the rat. These included investigations of the effect of Cl- substitution and the Cl- transport inhibitors 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, furosemide, and anthracene-9-carboxylic acid, on the development of morulae into blastocysts in culture, and on the rate at which blastocoel fluid is accumulated. In addition, a novel technique was developed in which the Cl(-)-sensitive fluorescent dye 6-methoxy-N-(3-sulfopropyl) quinolium (SPQ) was loaded into the blastocoel cavity, in order to characterize the pathways of transtrophectodermal Cl- transport. We established that 1) blastocoel formation in the rat requires the external presence of Cl- ions; 2) transport across the trophectoderm appears to be via a transcellular pathway, since rates of blastocyst development, fluid accumulation, and SPQ-monitored Cl- efflux are all reduced in the presence of Cl- transport inhibitors; and 3) Cl- transport occurs via Cl-/HCO3- exchange.     

Study of the endogenous calcitonin transport in the rat thyroid gland

Regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between Nvsq and calcitonine. The regression model was then transformed into a covariation one to establish: 1) probability of all calcitonine molecules moving across the C-cell-blood barrier into the blood, 2) confidence interval of endogenous calcitonine bioavailability, and 3) estimate of the period of calcitonine half-retention by the C-cell-blood barrier.     

Plasma and mucosal fatty acid pattern in colectomized ulcerative colitis patients

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have increased plasma n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients persists six months after colectomy, suggesting a primary abnormality in fatty acid (FA) metabolism in IBD. This finding needed to be confirmed in a larger series of UC long-term colectomized patients. We aimed to assess the plasma FA pattern in UC colectomized patients with either Brooke's ileostomy (UC-BI) or ileal pouch anal anastomosis (UC-IPAA) and the mucosal FA pattern in the ileal reservoir of the UC-IPAA patients. Plasma FAs were assessed in 63 UC colectomized patients (31 with BI and 32 with IPAA) and 30 controls. In 26 UC-IPAA (8 with pouchitis and 18 without pouchitis) and in 13 healthy controls gut mucosal FAs were also investigated. FAs were detected by capillary column gas-liquid chromatography. Increased levels of saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and decreased percentages of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) were observed in both groups of patients. There were no changes in plasma n3 and n6 PUFAs. The mucosal FA pattern of the ileal reservoir consisted of increased long-chain PUFAs, specially n6 PUFA, and a decrease of their essential precursors. High percentages of SFAs and low percentages of MUFAs were also seen. The plasma FA profile previously described in IBD is not observed long-term after colectomy in UC, suggesting that it is related with the presence of inflamed intestine. High concentrations of SFAs and decreased percentages of MUFAs might represent early events in disturbed FA metabolism in IBD. The changes in FAs of the ileal reservoir, which closely resemble those found in human and experimental IBD, probably represent a common pattern of intestinal inflammation.     

Neuronal high-affinity glutamate transport in the rat central nervous system

EAAC1 is a neuronal and epithelial high affinity glutamate transporter previously cloned from rabbit intestine. Here we report the isolation of EAAC 1 from rat brain* and its expression in the central nervous system based on in situ hybridization. Strong signals were detected in brain, spinal cord and retina. Expression of EAAC1 was particularly strong in pyramidal cells of the cerebral cortex, pyramidal cells of the hippocampus, mitral cells of the olfactory bulb, various thalamic nuclei and cells of certain retinal layers. EAAC1 was also expressed in non-glutamatergic neurons such as GABAergic cerebellar Purkinje cells and alpha-motor neurons of the spinal cord. We propose that EAAC1 is not only involved in the sequestration of glutamate at glutamatergic synapses and in protecting neurons from glutamate excitotoxicity, but also in the cellular metabolism involving glutamate.     

Action of levorin on glucose transport in the rat small intestine

The technique of accumulating preparation of the mucosa and "turned out sac" was used to show that levorin, a polyenic antibiotic in a concentration of 10(-6) M, lowered the transport rate and accumulation of glucose by the epithelial cells of the rat thin intestine under conditions of oxygenation. Suppression of the glucose transport in the first stages resulted in partial inhibition of the transmembrane transfer. It is suggested that levorin suppression of the glucose transport through the erythrocyte apical membrane in the thin intestine is associated with a decrease in the electrochemical gradient of Na+.     

Glutamine transport in human and rat placenta

Glutamine plays an important role in fetal nutrition. This study explored the transport of [3H]glutamine into apical and basal predominant membrane vesicles derived from rat and human placenta. Na+-dependent glutamine transport was present in both apical and basal predominant vesicles derived from 20- and, to a lesser degree, 14-day gestation rat placenta. Amino-acid transport systems A, ASC-like, B(o,+) (in apical membrane vesicles) and, perhaps, y+L were involved in Na+-dependent glutamine transport. Na+-dependent glutamine uptake into human placental microvillus and basolateral membrane vesicles also occurred via several distinct transport activities. Glutamine transport via system N was not detected in either rat or human placental preparations. Na+-dependent glutamine transport in the rat was more pronounced in basal as compared to apical membrane vesicles. Conversely, in the human preparations, activity was significantly higher in microvillus as compared to basolateral membrane vesicles. It is concluded that Na+-dependent glutamine transport occurs through a variety of transport agencies in both the rat and human placenta. Transport varies with ontogeny and between species.     

Intestinal transport of calcium in rat biliary cirrhosis

The characteristics of intestinal calcium transport in chronic cholestasis remain largely unknown. Using an experimental model of biliary cirrhosis in the rat, we aimed to investigate changes in calcium transport at the jejunal and ileal levels. Two methods were used: 1) uptake of 45Ca in brush border membrane vesicles and 2) measurements of transepithelial fluxes of calcium in Ussing chambers. Thirty days postsurgery, cholestatic rats presented biliary cirrhosis, with normal growth, normal daily energy, and calcium intakes, but had depressed circulating levels of 25-(OH)-vitamin D2 and 1,25-(OH)-vitamin D3. Compared with sham-operated controls, 45Ca uptake ([Ca2+] = 0.03 mmol) measured in vesicles from cholestatic rats was decreased by 3-fold in the duodenojejunum, in concordance with a lower content in brush border membrane calmodulin. Other changes in brush border membrane composition included decreases in structural proteins, microvillous enzymes, and in triglyceride content. Transepithelial fluxes of calcium measured in the ileum ([Ca2+] = 1.2 mmol) revealed in controls a net basal secretion flux (Jnet = -30.4 +/- 8.1 mmol.h-1.cm-2) that was reduced by 3-fold (p < 0.05) in vitamin D-deficient rats (Jnet = -10.4 +/- 4.8 mmol.h-1.cm-2). In response to 25-(OH)-vitamin D2 treatment, calcium uptake rates increased by 40% in the jejunum, whereas in the ileum, the secretion flux returned to basal control levels. Oral administration of taurocholate or tauroursodeoxycholate (50 mmol) depressed almost completely calcium uptake capacity in the duodenojejunum. By complexing free calcium, tauroconjugated bile acids inhibited in vitro calcium uptake proportionally to their concentration in the medium (0-40 mmol). Our data indicate that, in rat biliary cirrhosis, transport capacity of calcium in the duodenojejunum is markedly reduced in association with vitamin D deficiency and alterations in brush border membrane composition.     

Chain length specificity in the utilization of long chain alcohols for ether lipid biosynthesis in rat brain

A mixture of cis-9[1(-14)C] octadecenol and [1(-14)C] docosanol was injected into the brains of 19-day-old rats, and incorporation of radioactivity into brain lipids was determined after 3, 12, and 24 hr. Both alcohols were metabolized by the brain but at different rates; each was oxidized to the corresponding fatty acid, but oleic acid was more readily incorporated into polar lipids. Substantial amounts of radioactivity were incorporated into 18:1 alkyl and alk-1-enyl moieties of the ethanolamine phosphoglycerides and into 18:1 alkyl moieties of the choline phosphoglycerides. Even after the disappearance of the 18:1 alcohol from the substrate mixture (12 hr), the 22:0 alcohol was not used to any measurable extent for alkyl and alk-1-enylglycerol formation.