Differential regulation of amino acid exchange and protein dynamics across splanchnic and skeletal muscle beds by insulin in healthy human subjects

To define the mechanism of insulin's anticatabolic action, the effects of three different dosages of insulin (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mU x kg(-1) x min(-1)) versus saline on protein dynamics across splanchnic and skeletal muscle (leg) beds were determined using stable isotopes of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and leucine in 24 healthy subjects. After an overnight fast, protein breakdown in muscle exceeded protein synthesis, causing a net release of amino acids from muscle bed, while in the splanchnic bed protein synthesis exceeded protein breakdown, resulting in a net uptake of these amino acids. Insulin decreased (P < 0.003) muscle protein breakdown in a dose-dependent manner with no effect on muscle protein synthesis, thus decreasing the net amino acid release from the muscle bed. In contrast, insulin decreased protein synthesis (P < 0.03) in the splanchnic region with no effect on protein breakdown, thereby decreasing the net uptake of the amino acids. In addition, insulin also decreased (P < 0.001) leucine nitrogen flux substantially more than leucine carbon flux, indicating increased leucine transamination (an important biochemical process for nitrogen transfer between amino acids and across the organs), in a dose-dependent manner, with the magnitude of effect being greater on skeletal muscle than on the splanchnic bed. In conclusion, muscle is in a catabolic state in human subjects after an overnight fast and provides amino acids for synthesis of essential proteins in the splanchnic bed. Insulin achieves amino acid balance across splanchnic and skeletal muscle beds through its differential effects on protein dynamics in these tissue beds.     

Medullary carcinoma of the thyroid

Medullary carcinoma is an unusual malignant neoplasm. The cell of origin is considered to be the C-cell which is derived from the ultimobranchial body and neural crest. The tumor is solid and has characteristic amyloid in the stroma. The lesion usually presents as a neck mass, and multicentricity is not unusual. In some patients diarrhea may be an important presenting symptom. Serum calcitonin is typically elevated and is important in the diagnostic confirmation. About 10 percent of the cases are part of a familial endocrine syndrome which includes pheochromocytomas, mucosal neuromas, and other endocrine gland adenomas. Frequent multicentricity and early cervical lymphatic and systemic metastases necessitate total thyroidectomy and radical neck dissection. Prognosis varies from a rapid demise to long term survival.     

Preparation of a crystalline tris-(N-methylpyridinium)-derivative of bovine insulin

The reaction between 2-chloro-N-methylpyridinium iodide and bovine insulin at pH 8.5 afforded a trisubstituted derivative as main product. Following purification on DEAE-Sephadex A-25, this derivative crystallized from a citrate buffer in the form of large rhombohedra very similar to native insulin. This observation was confirmed by zero-layer X-ray precession photography. Amino acid analysis indicated substitution at the B1-terminus and on two of the four tyrosine residues. In the mouse convulsion assay the derivative showed no biological activity.     

Effect of C-4'-modification of thiamine pyrophosphate on its coenzyme activity in the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvic acid reaction

Interaction was studied between pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1) and C-4'-substituted analogs of thiaminpyrophosphate, 4'-N (CH3)-TPP, 4'-N(CH3)2-TPP and OH-TPP. None of these analogs was found to replace TPP during the reduction of NAD and 2.6-dichlorophenol-indophenol as well as pyruvate decarboxylation. The decarboxylase activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase component isolated from the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex was determined according to the 14CO2 yield and production of 2-C-oxoethyl-TPP using 1-14C-pyruvate and 2-14C-pyruvate, as substrates, respectively. All the analogs were found to competitively inhibit pyruvate dehydrogenase, Ki values for 4'-N(CH3)-TPP, 4'-N(CH3)2-TPP and 4'-OH-TPP being 4.1 X 10(-5) M, 8.5 X 10(-5) M and 2.9 X 10(-6) M, respectively; Km values for TPP was equal to 1-2 X 10(-7) M. It is assumed that the analogs of the holoenzymic complex formed by the pyruvate dehydrogenase component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex with mono-, dimethyl-TPP and oxo-TPP do not bind the substrate.