Leptin and Its Relation to Obesity and Insulin in the SHR/N-corpulent Rat, A Model of Type II Diabetes Mellitus

The spontaneously hypertensive/NIH-corpulent (SHR/N-cp) rat is a genetic animal model that exhibits obesity, metabolic features of hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia, which are characteristic of type II diabetes and mild hypertension. To determine the role of leptin, the protein product of the ob gene, in the development of obesity and diabetes in this model, we measured steady-state circulating levels of leptin in obese and lean SHR/N-cp rats and examined the relation between plasma leptin levels and metabolic variables at the stage of established obesity in these animals. Mean fasting plasma leptin concentration was 8-fold higher in obese than in lean rats (p<0.01). This was associated with a 6-fold elevation in plasma insulin in the obese group. Fasting levels of plasma glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride were all significantly higher in obese rats than in lean controls. Spearman correlation analysis showed a significant positive correlation between plasma leptin concentration and body weight among the animals (r=0.73, p<0.01). Similarly, plasma insulin concentration was significantly correlated with BW in all animals (r=0.54, p<0.05). There was also a significant positive.correlation between plasma leptin and plasma insulin in the entire group (r=0.70, p<0.01). However, this relationship was significant only for lean rats but not for obese rats (r=0.59, p<0.05 for lean rats, and r=0.23, p=NS, for obese rats). Plasma leptin also correlated positively with fasting plasma glucose (r=0.75, p<0.05), total cholesterol (r=0.63, p<0.05), and triglyceride (r=0.67, p <0.05). The marked elevation of plasma leptin in obese SHR/N-cp rats suggests that obesity in this animal model is related to up-regulation of the ob gene. Circulating leptin appears to be one of the best biological markers of obesity and that hyperleptinemia is closely associated with several metabolic risk factors related to insulin resistance in the diabesity syndrome

Using Social Network Analysis to Improve Communities of Practice

PublishedThis is the final version of the article. Available from University of California Press via the DOI in this record.n/

Usage of tobacco cessation helpline (QUITNOW) in rural New Mexico.

Presented at: Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science; October 29-31, 2015; Washington, DC.https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/prc-posters-presentations/1050/thumbnail.jp

Measuring tobacco cessation helpline (1-800-QUIT NOW) usage in rural and urban areas of New Mexico.

Presented at: 2016 Annual Conference of the New Mexico Public Health Association; April 12-13; Las Cruces, NM.https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/prc-posters-presentations/1035/thumbnail.jp

Trimethylamine N-Oxide: The Good, the Bad and the Unknown

Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) is a small colorless amine oxide generated from choline, betaine, and carnitine by gut microbial metabolism. It accumulates in the tissue of marine animals in high concentrations and protects against the protein-destabilizing effects of urea. Plasma level of TMAO is determined by a number of factors including diet, gut microbial flora and liver flavin monooxygenase activity. In humans, a positive correlation between elevated plasma levels of TMAO and an increased risk for major adverse cardiovascular events and death is reported. The atherogenic effect of TMAO is attributed to alterations in cholesterol and bile acid metabolism, activation of inflammatory pathways and promotion foam cell formation. TMAO levels increase with decreasing levels of kidney function and is associated with mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease. A number of therapeutic strategies are being explored to reduce TMAO levels, including use of oral broad spectrum antibiotics, promoting the growth of bacteria that utilize TMAO as substrate and the development of target-specific molecules with varying level of success. Despite the accumulating evidence, it is questioned whether TMAO is the mediator of a bystander in the disease process. Thus, it is important to undertake studies examining the cellular signaling in physiology and pathological states in order to establish the role of TMAO in health and disease in humans

Review of hyperuricemia as new marker for metabolic syndrome

Hyperuricemia has long been established as the major etiologic factor in gout. In recent years, a large body of evidence has accumulated that suggests that hyperuricemia may play a role in the development and pathogenesis of a number of metabolic, hemodynamic, and systemic pathologic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, stroke, and atherosclerosis. A number of epidemiologic studies have linked hyperuricemia with each of these disorders. In some studies, therapies that lower uric acid may prevent or improve certain components of the metabolic syndrome. There is an association between uric acid and the development of systemic lupus erythematosus; the connection between other rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is less clear. The mechanism for the role of uric acid in disorders other than gout is not well established but recent investigations point towards systemic inflammation induced by urate, as the major pathophysiological event common to systemic diseases, including atherosclerosis

Effet de la matrice de l'eau sur l'élimination des micropolluants organiques par ozonation. Partie 1. Consommation spécifique de l'ozone dans un réacteur

A partir des réactions possibles entre l'ozone, les radicaux et les principaux composants d'une eau à potabiliser, des formules théoriques de formations de radicaux et de décomposition de l'ozone sont établies. La matière organique est schématisée par les composés qui réagissent avec l'ozone (Si), les initiateurs, les promoteurs et les inhibiteurs de la réaction radicalaire (SIi, Sp,i, Ss,i). La décomposition de l'ozone est ensuite mesurée pour 56 eaux naturelles caractérisées par les analyses suivantes (pH, Absorbance à 254 nm, COT, Alcalinité). En se basant sur les connaissances acquises et les valeurs expérimentales du taux spécifique de consommation de l'ozone w, l'équation théorique est simplifiée et on obtient:-(d[O3]/dt)=([O3](∑kDlSl,i)(∑klDP,i[SP,i])) / ([HCO3-](k9+k10 10pH-10,25))En prenant le COT comme représentatif des [Sp,i] (attaque radicalaire non sélective) et l'absorbance à 254 nm comme representative de SI,i (attaque directe sur les cycles aromatiques), une analyse multifactorielle permet d'obtenir l'expression:log10w = -3,93 + 0,24pH + 0,75 log10 Absorbance à 254 mm + 1,08 log10 COT - 0,19 log10 alcalinitéL'équation ainsi obtenue peut être utilisée dans tous les modèles prédictifs faisant appel aux bilans massiques sur l'oxydant.From the numerous reactions between ozone and other components of raw water in a drinking water plant, we obtain theoretical equations for hydroxy radical concentrations (1) and for the disappearance of ozone (2). Dissolved organic matter is divided in to four components: substances which react with ozone by a direct mechanism (Si), initiators, promotors, and scavengers ofradical reactions (SI,i, SP,i, SS,i). We also take into account the reactions between hydrogen peii*iâô. orThe, and free radicals to simulate advanced oxidation processes.[OH∘]= ([O3]{2k1∙10pH-14+2k2 10pH-11,6 [H2O2] + ∑kdl,i [Sl,i]}) / (klD[P]+[HCO3-] (k9+k10∙10pH-10,25)+∑klDS,i [Ss,i])   (1)-(d[O3])/(dt) = {kD[P]+∑kD,i[Si]+∑kDl,i[Sl,i]+3k110pH-14+k210pH-11,6H2O2]}[O3]+[OH∘]{k8[O3]+[H2O2](k210pH-11,6+K7)+∑klDP,i[SP,i]   (2)For 56 natural water samples, we measured the disappearence of ozone directly in a completely stirred batch reactor. Water samples were characterized by pH, TOC, 254 nm UV absorbance and alkalinity. Kinetics were first order with respect to ozone(d[O3])/(dt) = -w[O3]with w : specific ozone disappearence rate.Each term of equation 2 is discussed and, based on the experimental values of w, a simplified equation 3 obtained :-(d[O3])/(dt) = ([O3](∑kDISl,i)(∑klDP,i[SP,i))/([HCO3](k9+k10 10pH-10,25))The TOC parameter can represent [SP,i] because radical reactions are non selective, where as the 254 nm UV absorbance can represent [Si] because organic matter (Fulvic and Humic acid) can react directly with ozone via its constituent aromatic rings.Using the data set of 56 w values measured in natual water samples, mathematical correlations can be calculated :log10w = -3,93 + 0,24pH + 0,75 log10 Absorbance à 254 mm + 1,08 log10 COT - 0,19 log10 alcalinityA strong correlation between experimental measurements and predicted w values is obtained