Nonhalogenated organic molecules from Laurencia algae

The marine red algae of the genus Laurencia have produced more 700 secondary metabolites and exhibited high molecular diversity and intriguing bioactivity. Since the halogenated structures have been comprehensively reviewed previously, this review, covering up to the end of 2012, mainly focuses on the source, structure elucidation, and bioactivity of nonhalogenated organic molecules from Laurencia spp. as well as the relationship between nonhalogenated and halogenated products. Overall, 173 new or new naturally occurring compounds with 58 skeletons, mainly including sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, and C15-acetogenins, are described.The marine red algae of the genus Laurencia have produced more 700 secondary metabolites and exhibited high molecular diversity and intriguing bioactivity. Since the halogenated structures have been comprehensively reviewed previously, this review, covering up to the end of 2012, mainly focuses on the source, structure elucidation, and bioactivity of nonhalogenated organic molecules from Laurencia spp. as well as the relationship between nonhalogenated and halogenated products. Overall, 173 new or new naturally occurring compounds with 58 skeletons, mainly including sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, and C-15-acetogenins, are described

PGC-1α and exercise in the control of body weight

The increasing prevalence of obesity and its comorbidities represents a major threat to human health globally. Pharmacological treatments exist to achieve weight loss, but the subsequent weight maintenance is prone to fail in the long run. Accordingly, efficient new strategies to persistently control body weight need to be elaborated. Exercise and dietary interventions constitute classical approaches to reduce and maintain body weight, yet people suffering from metabolic diseases are often unwilling or unable to move adequately. The administration of drugs that partially mimic exercise adaptation might circumvent this problem by easing and supporting physical activity. The thermogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) largely mediates the adaptive response of skeletal muscle to endurance exercise and is a potential target for such interventions. Here, we review the role of PGC-1α in mediating exercise adaptation, coordinating metabolic circuits and enhancing thermogenic capacity in skeletal muscle. We suggest a combination of elevated muscle PGC-1α and exercise as a modified approach for the efficient long-term control of body weight and the treatment of the metabolic syndrome