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Animals maintain the ability to survive and reproduce by acclimating to environmental temperatures. We showed here that

Animals maintain the ability to survive and reproduce by acclimating to environmental temperatures. We showed here that Caenorhabditis elegans exhibited temperature acclimation plasticity, which was regulated by a head-tail-head neural circuitry coupled with gut fat storage. After experiencing cold, C. elegans individuals memorized the experience and were prepared against subsequent cold stimuli. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element-binding protein (CREB) regulated temperature acclimation in the ASJ thermosensory neurons and RMG head interneurons, where it modulated ASJ thermosensitivity in response to past cultivation temperature. The PVQ tail interneurons mediated the communication between ASJ and RMG via glutamatergic signaling. Temperature acclimation occurred via gut fat storage regulation by the triglyceride lipase ATGL-1, which was activated by a neuropeptide, FLP-7, downstream of CREB. Thus, a head-tail-head neural circuit coordinated with gut fat influenced experience-dependent temperature acclimation.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained considerable attention as vital circulating biomarkers since their structure and composition resemble the originating cells. The investigation of EVs’ biochemical and biophysical properties is of great importance to map them to their parental cells and to better understand their functionalities. In this study, a novel frequency-dependent impedance measurement system has been developed to characterize EVs based on their unique dielectric properties. The system is composed of an insulator-based dielectrophoretic (iDEP) device to entrap and immobilize a cluster of vesicles followed by utilizing electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to measure their impedance at a wide frequency spectrum, aiming to analyze both their membrane and cytosolic charge-dependent contents. The EIS was initially utilized to detect nano-size vesicles with different biochemical compositions, including liposomes synthesized with different lipid compositions, as well as EVs and lipoproteins with similar biophysical properties but dissimilar biochemical properties. Moreover, EVs derived from the same parental cells but treated with different culture conditions were characterized to investigate the correlation of impedance changes with biochemical properties and functionality in terms of pro-inflammatory responses. The system also showed the ability to discriminate between EVs derived from different cellular origins as well as among size-sorted EVs harbored from the same cellular origin. This proof-of-concept approach is the first step towards utilizing EIS as a label-free, non-invasive, and rapid sensor for detection and characterization of pathogenic EVs and other nanovesicles in the future.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) plays a crucial role in lipolytic processing. Previous studies have shown that GPIHBP1 mutations cause severe hypertriglyceridemia and that serum GPIHBP1 levels are marginally higher in patients with coronary heart disease; however, the role of GPIHBP1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains unknown.We investigated the association between circulating GPIHBP1 levels and the prevalence of microvascular complications in T2DM.A total of 237 subjects with T2DM and 235 non-diabetic control subjects were enrolled in this study. Their serum GPIHBP1 levels were evaluated using ELISA assays.Circulating GPIHBP1 levels were higher in patients with T2DM (952.7 pg/mL [761.3-1234.6], p0.0001) than in non-diabetic subjects (700.6 [570.8-829.6]), but did not differ in T2DM patients with or without hypertriglyceridemia. Serum GPIHBP1 levels were significantly higher in patients with T2DM with diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and microvascular complications than in those without these complications. Multivariable logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses revealed that the presence of microvascular complications, but not macrovascular complications, was independently associated with serum GPIHBP1 levels, which could predict the presence of diabetic microvascular complications.Elevated GPIHBP1 levels are associated with microvascular complications in T2DM and may help to predict their progression.

Background: Although various biomarkers predict cardiovascular event (CVE) in patients with diabetes, the relationship of urinary glycan profile with CVE in patients with diabetes remains unclear.Methods: Among 680 patients with type 2 diabetes, we examined the baseline urinary glycan signals binding to 45 lectins with different specificities. Primary outcome was defined as CVE including cardiovascular disease, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease.Results: During approximately a 5-year follow-up period, 62 patients reached the endpoint. Cox proportional hazards analysis revealed that urinary glycan signals binding to two lectins were significantly associated with the outcome after adjustment for known indicators of CVE and for false discovery rate, as well as increased model fitness. Hazard ratios for these lectins (+1 SD for the glycan index) were UDA (recognizing glycan: mixture of Man5 to Man9): 1.78 (95% CI: 1.24–2.55, P = 0.002) and Calsepa [High-Man (Man2–6)]: 1.56 (1.19–2.04, P = 0.001). Common glycan binding to these lectins was high-mannose type of N-glycans. Moreover, adding glycan index for UDA to a model including known confounders improved the outcome prediction [Difference of Harrel's C-index: 0.028 (95% CI: 0.001–0.055, P = 0.044), net reclassification improvement at 5-year risk increased by 0.368 (0.045–0.692, P = 0.026), and the Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion decreased from 725.7 to 716.5, and 761.8 to 757.2, respectively].Conclusion: The urinary excretion of high-mannose glycan may be a valuable biomarker for improving prediction of CVE in patients with type 2 diabetes, and provides the rationale to explore the mechanism underlying abnormal N-glycosylation occurring in patients with diabetes at higher risk of CVE.Trial Registration: This study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network on June 26, 2012 (Clinical trial number: UMIN000011525, URL: https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000013482).

Argonaute 2 (Ago2) is the main component of the RNA-induced silencing complex. We recently showed that liver-specific Ago2-deficiency in mice (L-Ago2 knockout [KO] mice) enhances mitochondrial oxidation and alleviates obesity-associated pathophysiology. However, the precise mechanisms behind the role of hepatic Ago2 in regulating the mitochondrial oxidation associated with glucose metabolism are still unclear. Here, we show that hepatic Ago2 regulates the function of peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor α (PPARα) for oxidative metabolism. In both genetically and diet-induced severe obese conditions, L-Ago2 KO mice developed obesity and hepatic steatosis but exhibited improved glucose metabolism accompanied by lowered expression levels of pathologic microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-802, miR-103/107, and miR-152, and enhanced expression of PPARα and its target genes regulating oxidative metabolism in the liver. We then investigated the role of hepatic Ago2 in the outcomes of vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) in which PPARα plays a crucial role in a drastic transcription reprogram associated with improved glycemia post VSG. Whereas VSG reduced body weight and improved fatty liver in wild-type mice, these effects were not observed in hepatic Ago2-deficient mice. Conversely, glucose metabolism was improved in a hepatic Ago2-dependent manner post VSG. Treating Ago2-deficient primary hepatocytes with WY-14643, a PPARα agonist, showed that Ago2-deficiency enhances sensitivity to WY-14643 and increases expression of PPARα target genes and mitochondrial oxidation. Our findings suggest that hepatic Ago2 function is intrinsically associated with PPARα that links Ago2-mediated RNA silencing with mitochondrial functions for oxidation and obesity-associated pathophysiology.

SummaryAlmost all life forms can decode light information for adaptive advantage. Examples include the visual system, where photoreceptor signals are interpreted as images, and the circadian system, where light entrains a physiological clock. Here we describe a local, non-visual light response in mice that employs encephalopsin (OPN3, a 480 nm, blue light responsive opsin) to regulate the function of adipocytes. Germ line null and adipocyte-specific conditional null mice show a deficit in thermogenesis that is phenocopied in mice under blue-light deficient conditions. We show that blue light stimulation of adipocytes activates hormone sensitive lipase, the rate limiting enzyme in the lipolysis pathway, and that this is OPN3-dependent. Opn3 adipocyte conditional null mice also use reduced levels of fat mass when fasted and cold exposed further suggesting a lipolysis deficit. These data suggest the hypothesis that in mice, a local, OPN3-dependent light response in adipocytes is a mechanism for regulation of energy homeostasis.

Hepatocytes are parenchymal cells of the liver and engage multiple metabolic functions, including synthesis and secretion of proteins essential for systemic energy homeostasis. Primary hepatocytes isolated from the murine liver constitute a valuable biological tool to understand the functional properties or alterations occurring in the liver. Herein we describe a method for the isolation and culture of primary mouse hepatocytes by performing a two-step collagenase perfusion technique and discuss their utilization for investigating protein metabolism. The liver of an adult mouse is sequentially perfused with ethylene glycol-bis tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and collagenase, followed by the isolation of hepatocytes with the density gradient buffer. These isolated hepatocytes are viable on culture plates and maintain the majority of endowed characteristics of hepatocytes. These hepatocytes can be used for assessments of protein metabolism including nascent protein synthesis with non-radioactive reagents. We show that the isolated hepatocytes are readily controlled and comprise a higher quality and volume stability of protein synthesis linked to energy metabolism by utilizing the chemo-selective ligation reaction with a Tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) protein detection method and western blotting analyses. Therefore, this method is valuable for investigating hepatic nascent protein synthesis linked to energy homeostasis. The following protocol outlines the materials and methods for the isolation of high-quality primary mouse hepatocytes and detection of nascent protein synthesis.

Almost all life forms can detect and decode light information for adaptive advantage. Examples include the visual system, where photoreceptor signals are processed into virtual images, and the circadian system, where light entrains a physiological clock. Here we describe a pathway in mice that employs encephalopsin (OPN3, a 480 nm light responsive opsin) to mediate light responses in murine adipocytes. The adipocyte light-OPN3 pathway regulates neonatal growth in mice and is required for at least three important functions including (1) photoentrainment of a local circadian clock, (2) extracellular matrix deposition, and (3) regulation of mitochondrial content and the proportion of “brite” adipocytes. Furthermore, we show that the light-OPN3 pathway is required for normal levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in white and brown adipose tissue. Consequently, neonatalOpn3germ-line and adipocyte-conditional null mice show a reduced ability to maintain their body temperature under cold stress. This was also observed in wild-type mice deprived of blue light. We hypothesize that the adipocyte light-OPN3 pathway provides a dynamically responsive, circadian clock-integrated mechanism for regulating adipocyte function and in turn directing metabolism to thermogenesis rather than anabolism. These data indicate an important role for peripheral light sensing in mammals and may have broad implications for human health given the unnatural lighting conditions in which we live.

Background: Exosomes, a type of extracellular vesicle, are a novel mode of tissue-to-tissue communication. Recent work suggests a role of exosomes in the development of obesity-related metabolic disease, such as insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. With bariatric surgery, individuals undergo significant weight reduction and dramatic metabolic improvements. We hypothesize that exosomes mediate the metabolic improvements following bariatric surgery. Methods: We performed comprehensive exosome analyses, including measuring size and serum concentration of exosomes, and evaluating exosomal microRNAs expression pattern in 30 teenagers who underwent sleeve gastrectomy (age=16.7± 0.4 years; gender=26 females, 4 males; race= 19 Caucasians, 11 African Americans). Individuals who had ever been diagnosed with diabetes were excluded from the study. Results: We observed a significant reduction in serum exosome concentration (pre-op= 4.47x108± 6.28X107particles/mL; post-op=2.56x108± 2.44X107particles/mL, p=0.01), and a drastic shift of exosomal RNA expression pattern 1 month after bariatric surgery in obese adolescents, in concurrent with a modest initial weight loss (Pre-op weight=138.6± 5.3kg, Post-op weight=123.3± 5.0kg). Conclusion: Drastic changes in exosome profile were observed 1 month after bariatric surgery in severely obese adolescents. It is interesting that the most significant change happens in the first month after the surgery with a modest initial weight reduction, indicating the presence of molecular processes responsible for the improvements in metabolic condition following bariatric surgery, independent of weight loss. These findings suggest that the exosomes play a key role in the profound metabolic improvements following bariatric surgery, and serve as a novel biomarker or a therapeutic target for metabolic diseases. Disclosure A. Kim: None. K. Murakami: None. V.J. Borra: None. L.M. Dolan: None. A. Shah: None. T. Nakamura: None.

RNA silencing inhibits mRNA translation. While mRNA translation accounts for the majority of cellular energy expenditure, it is unclear if RNA silencing regulates energy homeostasis. Here, we report that hepatic Argonaute 2 (Ago2)-mediated RNA silencing regulates both intrinsic energy production and consumption and disturbs energy metabolism in the pathogenesis of obesity. Ago2 regulates expression of specific miRNAs including miR-802, miR-103/107, and miR-148a/152, causing metabolic disruption, while simultaneously suppressing the expression of genes regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, including Hnf1β, Cav1, and Ampka1. Liver-specific Ago2-deletion enhances mitochondrial oxidation and ATP consumption associated with mRNA translation, which results in AMPK activation, and improves obesity-associated pathophysiology. Notably, hepatic Ago2-deficiency improves glucose metabolism in conditions of insulin receptor antagonist treatment, high-fat diet challenge, and hepatic AMPKα1-deletion. The regulation of energy metabolism by Ago2 provides a novel paradigm in which RNA silencing plays an integral role in determining basal metabolic activity in obesity-associated sequelae., The RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) represses gene expression via micro-RNA guided mRNA silencing. Here, the authors show that RISC component Argonaute 2 in the liver regulates energy metabolism by inducing microRNAs that cause metabolic disruption and by suppressing protein translation linked to AMPK activation.

Purpose The unique circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) observed in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are candidates as new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In order to identify circulating miRNAs relevant to the disease process in case of type 2 diabetes, we performed the Illumina sequencing of miRNAs derived from the serum, liver and epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) of diet-induced obese male C57BL/6J mice. Basic Procedures We selected four miRNAs, miR-101, miR-335, miR-375, and miR-802, which are increased in the sera and tissues of obese mice, and measured the serum levels of miRNAs in T2D and subjects with normal glucose tolerance (NGT). Main Findings The serum concentrations of miRNAs, log 10 miR-101, log 10 miR-375, and log 10 miR-802, were significantly increased in the T2D patients compared with NGT subjects (1.41 ± 2.01 v.s . − 0.57 ± 1.05 (P = 1.36 × 10 − 5 ), 0.20 ± 0.58 v.s. 0.038 ± 1.00 (P = 3.06 × 10 − 6 ), and 2.45 ± 1.27 v.s . 0.97 ± 0.98 (P = 0.014), respectively). The log 10 miR-335 values did not demonstrate any significant differences between the T2D and NGT groups (− 1.08 ± 1.35 v.s . − 0.38 ± 1.21 (P = 0.25)). According to the stepwise regression analysis, the HbA1c was an independent predictor of miR-101. Regarding the serum miR-802 levels, eGFR, HbA1c and HDL-C values were identified as significant determinants. Principal Conclusions The present findings demonstrated that the circulating miR-101, miR-375 and miR-802 levels are significantly increased in T2D patients versus NGT subjects and they may become the new biomarkers for type 2 diabetes.

Obesity causes various metabolic complications, including insulin resistance and T2DM. However, currently, we have a limited understanding of the pathophysiology in the development of these processes. It’s generally considered that obesity develops when energy intake chronically exceeds total energy expenditure. The liver is a major organ for energy consumption, then mRNA translation accounts for the majority of energy expenditure in liver. While RNA silencing regulates mRNA translation, it’s unclear if RNA silencing regulates glucose metabolism. To investigate the role of RNA silencing in glucose metabolism, we focused on Argonaute 2 (Ago2), which is the main component of RNA-induced silencing complex that carries out RNA silencing. By generating liver-specific Ago2-deficient (L-Ago2 KO) mice, we revealed Ago2 regulates the maturation process of metabolic disease related miRNAs (MD-miRNAs), that silence genes critical for glucose metabolism. In addition, Ago2-deletion enhances ATP consumption associated with mRNA translation. Consequently, inactivation of hepatic Ago2 protect from diet-induced glucose intolerance in mice. Then, to further investigate if these molecular mechanisms are still activated in “older mice”, we employed 34-week of age mice and analyzed. Around this age, despite having the similar body weight, L-Ago2 KO mice fed HFD exhibited lower blood glucose and serum insulin levels. Consistently, expression levels of MD-miRNAs were decreased in the liver of L-Ago2 KO mice fed HFD. These results suggest that hepatic Ago2 function is continuously activated in “older mice” fed HFD, leading to enhanced biogenesis of MD-miRNAs and reduction of their target mRNAs, and these alterations are associated with systemic glucose metabolism.

Rationale: Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine proteinase inhibitor (vaspin) is an adipokine identified from visceral adipose tissues of genetically obese rats. Objective: The role of vaspin in the diabetic vascular complications remains elusive, and we investigated the effects of vaspin on the vascular function under the diabetic milieu. Methods and Results: Adenovirus carrying the full length of the vaspin gene (Vaspin-Ad) ameliorated intimal proliferation of balloon-injured carotid arteries in diabetic Wistar rats. The expression of Ccl2, Pdgfb, and Pdgfrb genes was significantly reduced by the treatment of Vaspin-Ad. In cuff-injured femoral arteries, the intimal proliferation was ameliorated in vaspin transgenic (Vaspin Tg) mice. The application of recombinant vaspin and Vaspin-Ad promoted the proliferation and inhibited the apoptosis of human aortic endothelial cells. Adenovirus expressing vaspin with calmodulin and streptavidin-binding peptides was applied to human aortic endothelial cells, subjected to tandem tag purification and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and we identified GRP78 (78-kDa glucose-regulated protein) as an interacting molecule. The complex formation of vaspin, GRP78, and voltage-dependent anion channel on the plasma membrane was confirmed by the immunoprecipitation studies using aortas of Vaspin Tg mice. The binding assay using 125 I-vaspin in human aortic endothelial cells revealed high-affinity binding (dissociation constant = 0.565×10 –9 m) by the treatment of 5 μM thapsigargin, which recruited GRP78 from the endoplasmic reticulum to plasma membrane by inducing endoplasmic reticulum stress. In human aortic endothelial cells, vaspin induced phosphorylation of Akt and inhibited the kringle 5-induced Ca 2+ influx and subsequent apoptosis. Conclusions: Vaspin is a novel ligand for the cell-surface GRP78/voltage-dependent anion channel complex in endothelial cells and promotes proliferation, inhibits apoptosis, and protects vascular injuries in diabetes mellitus.

It is unknown whether adipokines derived from adipose tissues modulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress induced in obesity. Here, we show that visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) binds to cell-surface 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78), which is recruited from ER to plasma membrane under ER stress. Vaspin transgenic mice were protected from diet-induced obesity, glucose intolerance, and hepatic steatosis, while vaspin-deficient mice developed glucose intolerance associated with upregulation of ER stress markers. With tandem affinity tag purification using HepG2 cells, we identified GRP78 as an interacting molecule. The complex formation of vaspin, GRP78, and murine tumor cell DnaJ-like protein 1 (MTJ-1) (DnaJ homolog, subfamily C, member 1) on plasma membrane was confirmed by cell-surface labeling with biotin and immunoprecipitation in liver tissues and H-4-II-E-C3 cells. The addition of recombinant human vaspin in the cultured H-4-II-E-C3 cells also increased the phosphorylation of Akt and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in a dose-dependent manner, and anti-GRP78 antibodies completely abrogated the vaspin-induced upregulation of pAkt and pAMPK Vaspin is a novel ligand for cell-surface GRP78/MTJ-1 complex, and its subsequent signals exert beneficial effects on ER stress-induced metabolic dysfunctions. Diabetes 61:2823-2832, 2012

Telmisartan partially activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), which may ameliorate the accumulation of visceral adipose tissues and sensitise insulin action. Nineteen patients with essential hypertension and metabolic syndrome were randomly assigned to receive 40 mg of telmisartan (TELMI group) once daily or 80 mg of valsartan (VAL group) once daily for 24 weeks. The visceral fat area (VFA) measured by computed tomography (CT) was significantly reduced from 150.4±15.5 to 127.7±16.7 cm2 in the TELMI group ( p=0.049). Although VFA was also reduced in the VAL group from 169.8±14.8 to 155.3±14.8 cm2, the change was not significant ( p=0.173). There were no significant changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, subdermal fat area (SFA), fasting plasma glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in comparison to the baseline and follow-up data in both groups. In conclusion, telmisartan may have a benefit in the reduction of visceral adipose tissues in comparison to valsartan.

A 27-year-old woman visited our hospital because of high fever. She had been diagnosed as 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) due to her cardiac history (tetralogy of Fallot), thymic hypoplasia and 22q11.2 deletion. She had a normal CD4/CD8 ratio, a slightly decreased lymphocyte count and normal serum immunoglobulin levels. Blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus lugdunensis (S. lugdunensis). Infection route of S. lugdunensis in this case was unclear. The patient was successfully treated with several intravenous antibiotics. Infection should be considered when managing patients with 22q.11.2DS. regardless of whether their immune system is impaired.

A 53-year-old man visited our hospital complaining of high fever. Chest computed tomography showed left pleural effusion and mediastinitis. He developed painful red subcutaneous nodules in his bilateral lower extremities. Thoracoscopy-assisted exploratory excision showed visceral pleura thickening; panniculitis in the periaortic area was histologically proven. The patient was treated with corticosteroid therapy which immediately reduced the fever. Subsequent imaging examinations after corticosteroid therapy showed improvement of mediastinitis and pleural effusion. This case reminds us that Weber-Christian disease (WCD) should be included in the differential diagnosis of mediastinitis although WCD is rarely associated with thoracic involvement.

Familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency (FLD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by corneal opacity, hemolytic anemia, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and proteinuria. Two novel lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) mutations[c.278 C>T (p.Pro69Leu); c.950 T>C (p.Met293Thr)] were identified in a 27-year-old man and in a 30-year-old woman, respectively. Both patients manifested corneal opacity, hemolytic anemia, low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and HDL-C and proteinuria. Lipid deposits with vacuolar lucent appearance in glomerular basement membranes were observed in both cases. APOE genotype was also investigated: the first case results ϵ4/ϵ3, the second ϵ2/ϵ2; however, they shared a similar phenotype characterized by the presence of intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL) remnant and the absence of lipoprotein-X. In conclusion, our findings suggest that APOE ϵ2/ϵ2 may not be the major determinant gene for the appearance of IDL in FLD patients.

This paper describes a driving torque distribution method for front–and-rear-wheel-independent-drivetype electric vehicles (FRID EVs) in which it is possible to get stable steering on a low friction coefficient road surface. This method is characterized by distributing driving torque to the left and right wheels of the front and rear wheels, considering not only load movement of the longitudinal direction but also load movement of the lateral direction which is generated at cornering. The load movements are estimated by detecting components of the 3-axis directions, i.e., longitudinal and lateral accelerations and yaw rate, and the steering angle and friction coefficient μ of the road surface. The effectiveness of the proposed driving torque distribution method was verified using simulators equivalent to the prototype FRID EV simulated with Matlab/Simulink and CarSim software. This method is expected to be indispensable to improving running performance of FRID EVs.

Background— Collectrin, a homologue of angiotensin converting enzyme 2, is expressed in pancreatic β cells and renal proximal tubular and collecting duct cells under the control of hepatocyte nuclear factors-1α and -1β. Because collectrin interacts with the soluble N -ethylmaleiamide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes, we investigated whether collectrin is involved in sodium handling in hypertension by vesicle trafficking of apical membrane proteins. Methods and Results— Collectrin physically interacts with the SNARE complex: snapin, synaptosomal-associated protein 23 kDa, syntaxin-4, and vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 in mIMCD-3 cells. siRNA knockdown of collectrin resulted in a reduction in membrane-associated aquaporin-2, α-epithelial Na + channel, and H + -ATPase. Collectrin and SNARE proteins were abundantly expressed in collecting ducts of Wistar-Kyoto rats. Wistar-Kyoto rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats 7 weeks of age were subjected to normal-salt (1% NaCl) and high-salt (8% NaCl) chow for 10 weeks. High-salt chow prominently elevated blood pressure, oral intake, and urinary excretion of NaCl and water in both groups. Although urinary excretion of aldosterone was significantly suppressed in both groups, collectrin expression was upregulated and associated with the maintenance of aquaporin-2, α-epithelial Na + channel, and H + -ATPase in membrane fractions. Collectrin promoter activities and mRNA and protein expressions were upregulated and ubiquitinated collectrin was reduced by high NaCl (175 to 225 mmol/L) and not altered by 1 μmol/L aldosterone in mIMCD-3 cells. Conclusions— Upregulation of collectrin by high NaCl independent of aldosterone functionally links to the trafficking of apical membrane proteins via the SNARE complex, and collectrin may be responsible for the sodium retention in salt-sensitive hypertension.

Although obesity is undoubtedly major risk for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the presence of lean NASH patients with normal body mass index has been recognized. Here, we report that the insufficiency of phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEMT) is a risk for the lean NASH. The Pemt−/− mice fed high fat-high sucrose (HFHS) diet were protected from diet-induced obesity and diabetes, while they demonstrated prominent steatohepatitis and developed multiple liver tumors. Pemt exerted inhibitory effects on p53-driven transcription by forming the complex with clathrin heavy chain and p53 and Pemt−/− mice fed HFHS diet demonstrated prominent apoptosis of hepatocytes. Furthermore, hypermethylation and suppressed mRNA expression of F-box protein 31 and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α resulted in the prominent activation of cyclin D1. PEMT mRNA expression in liver tissues of NASH patients was significantly lower than those with simple steatosis and we postulated the distinct clinical entity of lean NASH with insufficiency of PEMT activities.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Gpnmb is classified as a type 1 membrane protein and its soluble form is secreted by ADAM10-mediated cleavage. Gpnmb mRNA was found in the Kupffer cells and white adipose tissues (WATs) and its upregulation in obesity was recently found. Here, we generated aP2 promoter-driven Gpnmb transgenic (Tg) mice and the overexpression of Gpnmb ameliorated the fat accumulation and fibrosis of the liver in diet-induced obesity model. Soluble form of Gpnmb in sera was elevated in Gpnmb Tg mice and Gpnmb concentrated in hepatic macrophages and stellate cells interacted with calnexin, which resulted in the reduction of oxidative stress. In the patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, serum soluble GPNMB concentrations were higher compared with the patients with simple steatosis. The GPNMB is a promising biomarker and therapeutic target for the development and progression of NAFLD in obesity.

We report a 55-year-old woman with ectopic adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion caused by extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma. The patient presented with a 6-month history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Her serum and urinary cortisol levels were extremely high and dexamethasone failed to suppress the cortisol secretion. Her plasma ACTH levels were also elevated (>300 pg/mL) and irresponsive to corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) or metyrapone administration. Gel filtration analysis of the patient's plasma detected the existence of large molecular weight ACTH being eluted with a major peak of authentic 1-39 ACTH. Abdominal computed tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 5-cm paraganglioma located underneath the left kidney, in which (123)I-MIBG tracer specifically accumulated. Bilateral adrenal glands were diffusely enlarged. After surgical removal of the paraganglioma, the patient's clinical symptoms improved and biochemistry normalized including plasma ACTH, urinary free cortisol, and urinary catecholamines. Subsequent histologic evaluation of the transected paranglioma tissue revealed ACTH, synaptin, and chromogranin-A histologically immunostaining. Culture of primary cells collected from the resected paraganglioma demonstrated of in vitro production of ACTH, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. This is the first report of ectopic ACTH syndrome induced by an extra-adrenal abdominal paraganglioma.

In obesity and type 2 diabetes, the impairment of mitochondrial function in white adipose tissue (WAT) is linked to a reduction in whole body insulin sensitivity. Timm44 is upregulated in the kidneys of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In the inner mitochondrial membrane, Timm44 anchors mitochondrial heat-shock protein 70 (mtHsp70) to the translocase of inner mitochondrial membrane 23 (TIM23) complex and facilitates the import of mitochondria-targeted preproteins into the mitochondrial matrix dependent on the inner membrane potential and ATP hydrolysis on ATPase domain of mtHsp70.We generated the aP2-promoter driven Timm44 transgenic (Tg) mouse model and investigated whether Timm44 Tg mice fed high-fat/high-sucrose (HFHS) chow are protected from type 2 diabetes and obesity.The body weight of aP2-promoter driven Timm44 Tg mice was lower than that of wild type mice, and insulin sensitivity was greater in Timm44 Tg mice than in wild type mice. Although WAT weight was not altered in Timm44 Tg mice fed HFHS chow, adipocyte size was reduced, and mitochondrial fusion associated with decreased expression of fission genes, such as Dnm1l and Fis1, was observed. In addition, when fed standard (STD) chow, the expressions of the fusion genes Opa1, Mfn1 and Mfn2, and Mfn1 were significantly increased in Timm44 Tg mice compared to wild type mice, and fused mitochondria were also observed in Timm44 Tg mice fed STD chow.The Timm44 gene may be a new target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Takahiro Terami,1 Jun Wada,1 Kentaro Inoue,1 Atsuko Nakatsuka,1,2 Daisuke Ogawa,1,2 Sanae Teshigawara,1 Kazutoshi Murakami,1,3 Akihiro Katayama,1 Jun Eguchi,1 Hirofumi Makino11Department of Medicine and Clinical Science, 2Department of Diabetic Nephropathy, 3Department of General Medicine, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, JapanPurpose: Urinary angiotensinogen has been reported as a marker for the activation of intrarenal renin–angiotensin system (RAS) in various kidney diseases. To investigate the importance of urinary angiotensinogen in diabetic nephropathy, we compared the urinary levels of angiotensinogen, albumin, and α1-microglobulin.Materials and methods: Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes at various stages of nephropathy (n=85) were enrolled, and we measured albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and urinary excretion of angiotensinogen and α1-microglobulin. We also compared the clinical data of the patients treated with or without angiotensin II receptor blockers or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (RAS inhibitors [+], n=51; RAS inhibitors [−], n=34).Results: Urinary angiotensinogen levels positively correlated with ACR (r =0.367, P=3.84×10-4) and urinary α1-microglobulin (r=0.734, P=1.32 × 10-15), while they negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) (r=−0.350, P=1.02 × 10-3) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r=−0.216, P=0.049). Multiple regression analysis was carried out to predict urinary angiotensinogen levels by employing eGFR, ACR, and urinary α1-microglobulin as independent variables; only urinary α1-microglobulin entered the regression equation at a significant level. Although ACR was higher in the RAS inhibitors (+) group, urinary α1-microglobulin and angiotensinogen did not show significant increase in the RAS inhibitors (+) group.Conclusion: Urinary angiotensinogen is well correlated with urinary α1-microglobulin and reflected the tubular injuries which may be associated with the intrarenal RAS activation in patients with type 2 diabetes.Keywords: diabetic nephropathy, urinary biomarkers, renin–angiotensin system, angiotensinogen, α1-microglobulin, albumin

Background Galectin-9 (Gal-9) induces apoptosis in activated T helper 1 (TH1) cells as a ligand for T cell immunoglobulin mucin-3 (Tim-3). Gal-9 also inhibits the G1 phase cell cycle arrest and hypertrophy in db/db mice, the hallmark of early diabetic nephropathy, by reversing the high glucose-induced up-regulation of cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors such as p27Kip1 and p21Cip1. Methods We investigated the serum levels of Gal-9 in the patients with type 2 diabetes and various stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (n=182). Results Serum Gal-9 levels in the patients with type 2 diabetes were 131.9 ± 105.4 pg/ml and Log10Gal-9 levels significantly and positively correlated with age (r=0.227, p=0.002), creatinine (r=0.175, p=0.018), urea nitrogen (r=0.162, p=0.028) and osmotic pressure (r=0.187, p=0.014) and negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r=−0.188, p=0.011). Log10Gal-9 levels increased along with the progression of GFR categories of G1 to G4, and they were statistically significant by Jonckheere-Terpstra test (p=0.012). Log10Gal-9 levels remained similar levels in albuminuria stages of A1 to A3. Conclusion The elevation of serum Gal-9 in the patients with type 2 diabetes is closely linked to GFR and they may be related to the alteration of the immune response and inflammation of the patients with type 2 diabetes and CKD.

Context: Vaspin is an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing effects identified from visceral adipose tissues of genetically obese rats. Objective: We investigated genetic and nongenetic factors that define serum concentrations of vaspin. Design, Setting and Participants: Vaspin levels were measured with RIA in Japanese subjects with normal fasting plasma glucose (NFG; n = 259) and type 2 diabetes patients (T2D; n = 275). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) at SERPINA12 (vaspin) gene locus were discovered, and five SNP were genotyped in the subjects with varied body mass index (n = 1138). Results: The level of serum vaspin in 93% of the samples was found to vary from 0.2 to nearly 2 ng/ml in NFG subjects (n = 259) and from 0.2 to nearly 3 ng/ml in T2D patients (n = 275) (Vaspin(Low) group), whereas a significant subpopulation (7%) in both groups displayed much higher levels of 10-40 ng/ml (Vaspin(High) group). In the Vaspin(Low) group, serum vaspin levels in T2D were significantly higher than healthy subjects (0.99 +/- 0.04 vs. 0.86 +/- 0.02 ng/ml; P < 0.01). Both in T2D and genotyped Japanese population, serum vaspin levels closely correlated with homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance rather than anthropometric parameters. By genotyping, rs77060950 tightly linked to serum vaspin levels, i.e. CC (0.6 +/- 0.4 ng/ml), CA (18.4 +/- 9.6 ng/ml), and AA (30.5 +/- 5.1 ng/ml) (P < 2 x 10(-16)). Putative GATA-2 and GATA-3 binding consensus site was found at rs77060950. Conclusions: Serum vaspin levels were related to insulin resistance, and higher levels of serum vaspin in 7% of the Japanese population are closely linked to minor allele sequence (A) of rs77060950. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab 97: E1202-E1207, 2012)

A 46-year-old Japanese man visited our hospital for chronic abdominal pain, persistent diarrhea and discharge of proglottids for 7 years. He had been living in Lao People's Democratic Republic. Ileography using meglumine/diatrizoate sodium (Gastrografin) revealed a long tapeworm. A Taenia saginata including the scolex was excreted through the intestinal tract by the administration of total 780 ml of Gastrografin. Taeniasis is an important disease in the differential diagnosis of imported diseases in Japan. Parasite infection should be suspected in patients with chronic abdominal pain or persistent diarrhea regardless of the findings for small bowel obstruction when there is a history of overseas travel.

Galectin-9 (Gal-9), a ligand for T cell Ig mucin-3 (Tim-3), induces apoptosis in cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)(+) Tim-3(+) T helper 1 (T(H)1) cells via the Gal-9-Tim-3 pathway and negatively regulates T(H)1 immunity. In turn, Gal-9 activates dendritic cells (DC) to produce TNF-α, which promotes the T(H)1 response. We investigated the efficacy of Gal-9 against T(H)1-mediated autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice and compared with anti-Tim-3 monoclonal antibody (RMT3-23), which inhibited the binding between Tim-3-Ig and Gal-9 in a solid-phase binding assay. mRNA expression of Gal-9 was prominently induced by the treatment of interferon-γ in MIN6 cells, and Gal-9 was also expressed in the pancreatic β-cells in NOD mice, suggesting Gal-9 may be released from pancreatic β-cells to terminate T(H)1-mediated inflammation. Long-term injection of Gal-9 exhibits preventive efficacy for development of diabetes in NOD mice, but RMT3-23 demonstrated further prominent therapeutic potential compared with Gal-9. Gal-9 induced apoptosis of CD4(+)Tim-3(+) T(H)1 cells at the concentration of 0.2 μM, whereas RMT3-23 failed to enhance the apoptosis of CD4(+)Tim-3(+) T(H)1 cells. In contrast, Gal-9 induced TNF-α production in cultured DC in a dose-dependent manner; however, RMT3-23 inhibited Gal-9-induced TNF-α production in a dose-dependent manner. Although Gal-9 exhibited certain therapeutic potential against autoimmune diabetes by enhancing apoptosis of CD4(+)Tim-3(+) T(H)1 cells, RMT3-23 exhibited prominent therapeutic efficacy by suppressing the TNF-α production and activation of DC. Taken together, the inhibition of the Gal-9-Tim-3 pathway on DC, upstream of T(H)1 response, may be a new target for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.

The peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) agonist, pioglitazone (PIO), exerts anti-diabetic properties associated with increased fat mass, whereas the retinoid X receptor (RXR) antagonist HX531 demonstrates anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects with reduced body weight and fat pad mass. The cell cycle abnormality in adipocytes has not been well-investigated in obesity or during treatment with modulators of nuclear receptors. We therefore investigated cell size and cell cycle distributions of adipocytes in vivo and examined the expression of cell cycle regulators in cultured human visceral preadipocytes. The cell size distribution and cell cycle analyses of in vivo adipocytes derived from OLETF rats demonstrated that HX531 brought about G0/G1 cell cycle arrest associated with the inhibition of cellular hypertrophy, which resulted in the reduction of fat pad mass. In contrast, PIO promoted proliferation activities associated with the increase in M + late M:G0 + G1 ratio and the appearance of both small and hypertrophied adipocytes. In cultured human visceral preadipocytes HX531 up-regulated cell cycle regulators, p53, p21(Cip1), cyclin D1, Fbxw7 and Skp2, which are known contributors towards G0 /G1 cell cycle arrest. The knockdown of p53 with a shRNA lentivirus reversed the HX531-induced up-regulation of p21(Cip1), which is one of the major p53-effector molecules. We conclude that HX531 exerts anti-obesity and anti-diabetes properties by up-regulating the p53-p21(Cip1) pathway, resulting in G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and the inhibition of cellular hypertrophy of adipocytes.

A 78-year-old woman visited our hospital complaining of high fever. Since the fever did not improve with antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, she was admitted to the hospital. On admission a test for C reactive protein demonstrated 17.0 mg/dL. She did not have tenderness or swelling in temporal arteries. She showed laterality in radial pulse and her left radial pulse was weakened. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) identified uptake of FDG in the aortic arch, abdominal aorta and left brachial artery, etc. (Picture 1). Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed left brachial artery stenosis (Picture 2). The presumable diagnosis of a giant cell arteritis (GCA) developing into brachial artery stenosis was made. The patient was treated with 30 mg/day of prednisolone, which immediately reduced the fever. Subsequent MRA after steroid therapy showed improvement of brachial artery stenosis (Picture 3). GCA may cause severe complications such as aortic aneurysm, dissec

Phosphatidylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (Pemt) catalyzes the methylation of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) mainly in the liver. Under an obese state, the upregulation of Pemt induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by increasing the PC/PE ratio in the liver. We targeted the Pemt gene in mice to explore the therapeutic impact of Pemt on the progression of diabetic nephropathy and diabetes, which was induced by the injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Although the blood glucose levels were similar in STZ-induced diabetic Pemt+/+ and Pemt-/-mice, the glomerular hypertrophy and albuminuria in Pemt-/- mice were significantly reduced. Pemt deficiency reduced the intraglomerular F4/80-positive macrophages, hydroethidine fluorescence, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. The expression of glucose-regulated protein-78 (GRP78) was enriched in the renal tubular cells in STZ-induced diabetic mice, and this was ameliorated by Pemt deficiency. In mProx24 renal proximal tubular cells, the treatment with ER-stress inducers, tunicamycin and thapsigargin, increased the expression of GRP78, which was reduced by transfection of a shRNA lentivirus for Pemt (shRNA-Pemt). The number of apoptotic cells in the renal tubules was significantly reduced in Pemt-/- diabetic mice, and shRNA-Pemt upregulated the phosphorylation of Akt and decreased the cleavage of caspase 3 and 7 in mProx24 cells. Taken together, these findings indicate that the inhibition of Pemt activity ameliorates the ER stress associated with diabetic nephropathy in a model of type 1 diabetes and corrects the functions of the three major pathways downstream of ER stress, i.e. oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.

The following corrections applies to “The effects of telmisartan treatment on the abdominal fat depot in patients with metabolic syndrome and essential hypertension: Abdominal fat Depot Intervention Program of Okayama (ADIPO)” by K Murakami, J Wada, D Ogawa, CS Horiguchi, T Miyoshi, M Sasaki, HA Uchida, Y Nakamura and H Makino. Diabetes and Vascular Disease Research 2013; 10(1): 93–96. DOI: 10.1177/1479164112444640 .

We analyzed the urine samples of patients with type 2 diabetes at various stages of diabetic nephropathy by lectin microarray to identify a biomarker to predict the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes at various stages of nephropathy were enrolled and we performed lectin microarray analyses (n = 17) and measured urinary excretion of fetuin-A (n = 85). The increased signals of urine samples were observed in Sia alpha 2-6Gal/GalNAc-binding lectins (SNA, SSA, TJA-I) during the progression of diabetic nephropathy. We next isolated sialylated glycoproteins by using SSA-lectin affinity chromatography and identified fetuin-A by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer. Urinary excretion of fetuin-A significantly increased during the progression of albuminuria (A1, 0.40 +/- 0.43; A2, 0.60 +/- 0.53; A3 1.57 +/- 1.13 ng/gCr; p = 7.29x10(-8)) and of GFR stages (G1, 0.39 +/- 0.39; G2, 0.49 +/- 0.45; G3, 1.25 +/- 1.18; G4, 1.34 +/- 0.80 ng/gCr; p = 3.89x10(-4)). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to assess fetuin-A as a risk for diabetic nephropathy with microalbuminuria or GFR

N,N′-Oxalyl and N,N′-malonyl derivatives of indigo and 6,6′-di-t-butylindigo were reduced with high quantum efficiencies to their semi-reduced radicals by visible light irradiation in the presence of tertiary amines. These semi-reduced radicals were reversibly autoxidized and thus oxidative dealkylation of tertiary amines was catalyzed photochemically by these indigos.

N,N′-Oxalyl and N,N′-malonyl derivatives of indigo and 6,6′-di-t-butylindigo were reduced with high quantum efficiencies to their semi-reduced radicals by visible light irradiation in the presence of tertiary amines. These semi-reduced radicals were reversibly autoxidized and thus oxidative dealkylation of tertiary amines was catalyzed photochemically by these indigos.