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Biomedical subjects

M Lorenzo

Publications and source records attributed to M Lorenzo.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase expression in fetal hepatocyte primary cultures under proliferative conditions.

Fetal hepatocytes cultured for 64 h in the presence of glucagon and dexamethasone maintain a quiescent state, showing a low expression of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and a high induction of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK). Under these culture conditions, the presence of EGF produced hepatocyte proliferation, with a concomitant increase of DNA synthesis, DNA content, and G6PD expression, meanwhile the expression of PEPCK was drastically reduced. The presence of forskolin plus IBMX nearly suppressed the increase in DNA synthesis and G6PD expression induced by EGF, showing a very high expression of PEPCK. Accordingly, it is possible to establish an inverse relation between G6PD, highly expressed in proliferating fetal hepatocytes, and PEPCK expression, highly expressed in quiescent fetal hepatocytes under specific hormonal stimulation.

Animals↗

Electrophysiologic study of HIV-1 + patients without signs of peripheral neuropathy.

HIV-1 seropositive patients have a high frequency of nervous system diseases, and asymptomatic abnormalities are frequently detected. We studied 124 neurologically asymptomatic HIV-1 seropositive subjects and 23 normal control subjects by nerve conduction studies. No alterations were detectable in the asymptomatic stages of infection (CDC groups II and III), while subclinical peripheral nervous system (PNS) impairment was detected in symptomatic HIV-1 stages (CDC group IV). Specifically, in CDC group IV we observed a reduction in the motor conduction velocity of the deep peroneal nerve and the median nerve, and a similar reduction of the sensory conduction velocity of the sural nerve. There were no differences of the amplitude and area of the muscular response or of the sensory nerve action potential. As our patients did not present clinical or laboratory evidence for a toxic-dismetabolic etiology, our data indicate a progressive myelin damage more directly related to HIV-1 infection. This subclinical finding may have importance for the progression of the disease in the PNS.

Action Potentials↗

[Left side approach in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: first-year experience].

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed following two main approaches: the french technique, used by the majority of surgeons, and the anglo-saxon technique. The Authors describe the basic concept of the "left side" approach according to the Anglo-american method, underlining some of the advantages. Their one-year results (November 1990-November 1991) confirm the data already available in the Literature.

Adult↗

A comparison of photopic and scotopic electroretinographic changes in early diabetic retinopathy.

Previous studies of early diabetic retinopathy have shown that oscillatory potential (OP) amplitudes are reduced in many diabetic patients. OP amplitude is believed to be a more sensitive indicator of the development of future retinopathy than b-wave amplitude of the scotopic electroretinogram (ERG). Because OPs measured to a bright white flash reflect both rod and cone system activity, it is important to compare OP amplitudes to photopic ERG measures as well as scotopic measures in early diabetic retinopathy. In this study, OPs and ERG responses were measured under photopic and scotopic conditions in a group of diabetic patients. Although OPs were reduced in amplitude in the diabetic group, several other parameters of the scotopic and photopic b-waves were impaired. The results indicate that b-wave activity may indicate retinal changes in early diabetic retinopathy in the same manner as the OPs.

Dark Adaptation↗

Proliferation of fetal brown adipocyte primary cultures: relationship with the genetic expression of glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase.

Fetal brown adipocyte primary cultures increase DNA synthesis; cell number; and DNA, RNA, and protein contents in response to 10% fetal calf serum, IGF-I, and EGF plus vasopressin plus bombesin when added for 64 h to quiescent cells. IGF-I is a complete growth factor in this system while EGF needs the presence of vasopressin plus bombesin for its maximal proliferative effects. These mitogens induce the genetic expression of G6P dehydrogenase, increasing its mRNA content as well as its specific activity and amount of immunoreactive protein. The presence of cAMP elevating agents prevents the stimulatory effect of EGF plus vasopressin plus bombesin on DNA synthesis, cell number, and DNA content as well as on the induction of G6P dehydrogenase expression. Thus, changes on the proliferative state of these cells are associated with the level of expression of G6P dehydrogenase.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Electrophysiological and psychophysical flicker sensitivity in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Temporal sensitivity was assessed in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT). Three measures of flicker sensitivity were obtained: psychophysical modulation thresholds, visual-evoked potentials (VEPs), and focal electroretinograms (FERGs). We found elevated psychophysical thresholds at higher temporal frequencies (30-50 Hz) in patients with POAG, relative to thresholds for age-matched controls. The OHT patients had elevated psychophysical thresholds only at 50 Hz. On the other hand, VEP amplitudes in POAG patients were reduced at all temporal frequencies, with the magnitude of the loss increasing with temporal frequency. The OHT patients, however, showed no reductions in VEP amplitude at any temporal frequency. Finally, POAG patients' FERG amplitudes were reduced at 30-50 Hz; whereas FERG amplitudes in the OHT patients were normal at all temporal frequencies. These results indicate that OHT patients can exhibit psychophysical threshold losses at high temporal frequencies which are not observed in the suprathreshold electrophysiological amplitude measures. On the other hand, patients with POAG show both psychophysical and VEP losses across a range of temporal frequencies. In addition, the decreases in FERG amplitudes in POAG patients suggest changes in the functioning of the outer retina in this disease.

Adult↗

Hormonal regulation of malic enzyme expression in primary cultures of foetal brown adipocytes.

Insulin increased malic enzyme activity and protein content in foetal brown adipocyte primary cultures through a two fold increase in the rates of enzyme synthesis. Conversely, noradrenaline prevented the induction caused by insulin on enzyme expression through an accelerate rate of malic enzyme degradation. Tri-iodothyronine had no effect on the expression of malic enzyme in cultured foetal brown adipocytes.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Rates of lipogenesis in fetal hepatocytes in suspension and in primary culture: hormonal effects.

Lipogenesis in isolated fetal hepatocytes in suspension for 3 h was modulated by insulin depending on substrates utilization, but was inhibited by glucagon and noradrenaline from all substrates studied. After primary culture for 5 days in the presence of glucose, the lipogenic response to insulin increased, the glucagon response decreased and noradrenaline produced the same degree of inhibition at 3 h. At 24 h, insulin produced an even higher increase on lipogenesis parallel to an increase in fatty acid synthase activity. Dexamethasone increased lipogenesis, but progesterone had no effect. Both hormones, in the presence of insulin, increased lipogenesis and fatty acid synthase activity. Triiodothyronine, alone or in the presence of insulin, increased lipogenesis and fatty acid synthase activity.

Animals↗

Precocious induction of malic enzyme by nutritional and hormonal factors in rat foetal hepatocyte primary cultures.

Rat foetal hepatocytes in primary cultures were used as a model for the study of malic enzyme gene expression. Carbohydrates and glycolytic metabolites produced the precocious induction of the malic enzyme in foetal hepatocytes cultured in the absence of serum and hormones. Palmitate prevented this induction. Insulin and triiodothyronine produced a significant increase in the malic enzyme specific activity in all the conditions studied. A synergistic effect between the two hormones is observed only when high concentrations of glucose are present. Glucagon prevents partially the induction produced by insulin plus triiodothyronine. Both carbohydrate and hormonal inductions of malic enzyme activity are related to parallel increases in its expression, and are prevented by protein synthesis inhibitors.

Animals↗

Hormonal regulation of rat foetal lipogenesis in brown-adipocyte primary cultures.

Insulin stimulates lipogenesis by 100% for 5 h by a covalent modulation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and by 200% for 24 h by increasing malic enzyme and fatty acid synthase enzymic activities in brown-adipocyte primary cultures. At short times, noradrenaline and isoprenaline decrease lipogenesis. However, phenylephrine and glucagon have no effect. At long times, dexamethasone inhibits lipogenesis. This effect is precluded in the presence of insulin. Progesterone and tri-iodothyronine, alone or in the presence of insulin, produce a stimulation of the rates of lipogenesis.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

Regulation of rat foetal lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue in vivo and in isolated brown adipocytes during the last day of, and after prolonged, gestation.

Rates of lipogenesis in foetal isolated brown adipocytes from 22-day-pregnant rats were significantly increased by lactate plus pyruvate as major substrates in the incubation medium, in comparison with the endogenous rates. Insulin stimulated foetal brown-adipocyte lipogenesis, and adrenaline or noradrenaline and isoprenaline decreased lipogenesis. Glucagon had no effect on the lipogenic rate in brown adipocytes. Progesterone administration to the mother significantly increased the rates of lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue and in isolated brown adipocytes from 22-day foetuses. Prolongation of gestation by progesterone to day 23 decreased the rates of brown-adipose-tissue lipogenesis in vivo and in isolated cells in the post-mature foetuses.

Adipose Tissue, Brown↗

The role of prolactin and progesterone in the regulation of lipogenesis in maternal and foetal rat liver in vivo and in isolated hepatocytes during the last day of gestation.

The administration of progesterone on day 21 of gestation increases the rates of lipogenesis in the liver in vivo and in hepatocytes isolated from rats on day 22 of pregnancy. Bromocriptine administration increases the rates of hepatic lipogenesis in vivo, but has no effect on lipid synthesis in hepatocytes under the same treatment conditions. Concurrently, the administration of progesterone or bromocriptine on day 21 to the mother increases the rates of lipogenesis in the foetal liver in vivo on day 22. The rates of lipid synthesis in foetal isolated hepatocytes are increased by progesterone administration, but remain unchanged by bromocriptine.

Animals↗

Regulation of lipogenesis and of non-saponifiable-lipid synthesis in vivo at birth and after prolonged starvation in the newborn rat.

The rate of lipogenesis in the liver was increased by glucose injection at birth, mediated by the insulin secretion. In addition, glucagon decreased the rates of lipogenesis and non-saponifiable-lipid synthesis after birth. These rates decreased after prolonged starvation in the newborn rat. Tri-iodothyronine injection increased the rates of lipogenesis enhanced in response to glucose administration after prolonged starvation in liver and brown adipose tissue. Dexamethasone, however, increased the rates of lipogenesis enhanced in response to glucose in liver and prevented the increase in the rates of lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

Animals↗

Regulation of lipogenesis in vivo by glucose availability and insulin secretion in maternal and foetal tissues during late gestation in the rat. Effect of glucose intubation, streptozotocin-induced diabetes and starvation.

Administration of an oral load of glucose did not change the rate of lipogenesis in maternal liver during late gestation. However, streptozotocin-induced diabetes or starvation decreased maternal liver lipogenesis at 20-22 days of gestation. Glucose intubation, on the other hand, increased foetal lipogenesis at 21-22 days. In addition, maternal starvation decreased foetal lipogenesis and plasma insulin concentration. However, chronic hyperglycaemia induced by streptozotocin administration to the mother did not change foetal liver lipogenesis.

Adipose Tissue↗

Relationship between lipogenesis and glycogen synthesis in maternal and foetal tissues during late gestation in the rat. Effect of dexamethasone.

Treatment with dexamethasone enhanced 3H2O incorporation into liver and blood lipid, and also increased plasma glucose, insulin, non-esterified fatty acid and triacylglycerol concentrations during late gestation in the mother rat. An inverse relationship between glycogen and lipid synthesis in foetal liver and lung was observed in control rats. This relationship was also observed in foetal liver, but not in foetal lung, after treatment with dexamethasone.

Animals↗