The linkage between medical student readiness for interprofessional learning and interest in community medicine

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between medical student readiness for interprofessional learning and interest in community medicine prior to incorporating community-oriented interprofessional education into the curriculum. Methods: A questionnaire was administered to students at Nagasaki University School of Medicine in Japan during each of three consecutive years (N=2244). The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) was administered in addition to a questionnaire to evaluate interest in community medicine. The Kruskal-Wallis and Steel-Dwass tests were used to determine differencesbetween school years. Correlation between the RIPLS score and interest in community medicine was evaluated with Spearman\u27s rank correlation coefficient. Relationships between RIPLS score and demographic parameters, and interest in community medicine were evaluated with multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Eighty-four percent (1891/2244) of students responded. The RIPLS score was highest in school year 1, followed by year 6, year 5,year 3, and years 4 and 2. Interest in community medicine correlated with the RIPLS score (rs = 0.332, p < 0.001),but less in year 1 (rs = 0.125, p = 0.002) than in other years. RIPLS score was significantly associated with gender, age, school year, interest in community medicine, but not the year that the survey was conducted. Conclusions: Community-oriented interprofessional education has the potential to improve attitudes towards interprofessional learning. When introducing this promising education into the curriculum from year 1, attracting students\u27 interest in community medicine should be considered

Petasin Activates AMP-Activated Protein Kinase and Modulates Glucose Metabolism

Petasin (<b>1</b>), a natural product found in plants of the genus <i>Petasites</i>, has beneficial medicinal effects, such as antimigraine and antiallergy activities. However, whether or not <b>1</b> modulates metabolic diseases is unknown. In this study, the effects of <b>1</b> on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which is considered a pharmacological target for treating metabolic diseases, are described. It was found that an extract of <i>Petasites japonicus</i> produces an increase in the phosphorylation of AMPK in vitro, and the main active compound <b>1</b> was isolated. When this compound was administered orally to mice, activation of AMPK in the liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue was observed. Moreover, pretreatment with <b>1</b> enhanced glucose tolerance following the administration of a glucose solution to normal mice. The mechanism by which <b>1</b> activates AMPK was subsequently investigated, and an increased intracellular AMP/ATP ratio in the cultured cells treated with <b>1</b> occurred. In addition, treatment with petasin inhibited mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. Taken together, the present results indicated that <b>1</b> modulates glucose metabolism and activates AMPK through the inhibition of mitochondrial respiration. The preclinical data suggested that petasin (<b>1</b>) could be useful for the treatment of metabolic diseases in humans

l-Alanine activates hepatic AMP-activated protein kinase and modulates systemic glucose metabolism

Objective: AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) is recognized as an important nutrient sensor contributing to regulation of cellular, tissue, and systemic metabolism. We aimed to identify specific amino acids which could modulate AMPK and determine effects on cellular and systemic metabolism. Methods: We performed an unbiased amino acid screen to identify activators of AMPK. Detailed analysis of cellular signaling and metabolism was performed in cultured hepatoma cells, and in vivo glucose metabolism and metabolomic patterns were assessed in both chow-fed mice and mice made obese by high-fat diet feeding. Results: Alanine acutely activates AMP kinase in both cultured hepatic cells and in liver from mice treated in vivo with Ala. Oral alanine administration improves systemic glucose tolerance in both chow and high fat diet fed mice, with reduced efficacy of Ala in mice with reduced AMPK activity. Our data indicate that Ala activation of AMPK is mediated by intracellular Ala metabolism, which reduces TCA cycle metabolites, increases AMP/ATP ratio, and activates NH3 generation. Conclusions: Ala may serve as a distinct amino acid energy sensor, providing a positive signal to activate the beneficial AMPK signaling pathway. Keywords: Amino acids, Alanine, AMPK, Energy senso