Extra Fructose in the Growth Medium Fuels Lipogenesis of Adipocytes

Fructose in excessive amounts exerts negative effects on insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, and liver metabolism. These adverse outcomes were attributed to its disturbances of key metabolic pathways in the liver. Recently, possible consequences of high fructose levels directly on adipocytes in vivo have been considered. We have cultured adipocytes in growth media containing 1 g/L fructose additionally to glucose and monitored the cells fate. Cells developed lipid vesicles much earlier with fructose and showed altered kinetics of the expression of mRNAs involved in lipogenesis and hexose uptake. Adiponectin secretion, too, peaked earlier in fructose containing media than in media with glucose only. From these data it can be speculated that similar effects of fructose containing diets happen in vivo also. Apart from toxic action on liver cells, adipocytes might be stimulated to take up extra fructose and generate new lipid vesicles, further dysregulating energy homeostasis

Diagnosis of infection with human herpes viruses in routine laboratory practice

Background: The potential for faster detection of human herpes viruses using PCR compared to other methods is undisputed. However, because of fear of contamination, the clinical implication of nucleic amplification methods in routine laboratories is not widespread. Herpes viruses cause a wide spectrum of diseases and can cause morbidity and mortality in immune-compromised patients. Using real-time PCR, most of the problems associated with PCR (contamination, cumbersome detection, and rather expensive tests) are solved, and a rapid, economical, and – most importantly – closed system is at hand. Methods: We evaluated work procedures in our laboratory that enable the routine diagnosis of viral infections with high accuracy and rapid turn-around time. In parallel, inherent problems usually associated with PCR testing, especially cross-contamination could be suppressed to a minimum. The start of the work flow process begins with an automated nucleic acid extraction procedure that yields high quality DNA. A common – internally and externally controlled – PCR program for all six viruses allows rapid sample turn around. Results: In all, 7500 analyses for human herpes virus infection were performed in the last 5 years. Results for various different specimens were produced within 24 h. Contamination occurred rarely and could be ameliorated easily. The use of internal controls identified rare PCR-inhibited samples. The detection limits for our assays are markedly below the clinically relevant range. Conclusions: Our workflow allowed rapid, cost-efficient, and labor saving routine diagnostic detection of viral infections. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:1141–5.Peer Reviewe