Paleoamerican exploitation of extinct megafauna revealed through immunological blood residue and microwear analysis, North and South Carolina, USA.

Previous immunological studies in the eastern USA have failed to establish a direct connection between Paleoamericans and extinct megafauna species. The lack of physical evidence for the presence of extinct megafauna begs the question, did early Paleoamericans regularly hunt or scavenge these animals, or were some megafauna already extinct? In this study of 120 Paleoamerican stone tools from across North and South Carolina, we investigate this question using crossover immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP). We find immunological support for the exploitation of extant and extinct megafauna, including Proboscidea, Equidae, and Bovidae (possibly Bison antiquus), on Clovis points and scrapers, as well as possible early Paleoamerican Haw River points. Post-Clovis points tested positive for Equidae and Bovidae but not Proboscidea. Microwear results are consistent with projectile usage, butchery, fresh- and dry hide scraping, the use of ochre-coated dry hides for hafting, and dry hide sheath wear. This study represents the first direct evidence of the exploitation of extinct megafauna by Clovis and other Paleoamerican cultures in the Carolinas and more broadly, across the eastern United States, where there is generally poor to non-existent faunal preservation. Future CIEP analysis of stone tools may provide evidence on the timing and demography of megafaunal collapse leading to eventual extinction.

An evidence-based approach to assessing the effectiveness of training regimen on athlete performance: Youth soccer as a case study.

Athletic performance data are modeled in an effort to better understand the relationship between both hours spent training and a measurement of "commitment" to that training, and improvements in performance. Both increased training time and greater commitment were predicted to produce larger increases in performance improvement, and commitment was predicted to be the more important determinant of improvement. The performance of 108 soccer players (ages 9-18) was quantified over a 10-week training program. Hours spent training ranged from 16 to 90 during the course of the study, while commitment scores ranged from 0.55 to 2.00, based on a scale from 0.00 to 2.40. A model selection approach was used to discriminate among models specifying relationships between training hours and improvement, and commitment and improvement. Despite considerable variability in the data, results provided strong evidence for an increase in performance improvement with both training hours and commitment score. The best models for hours and commitment were directly compared by computing an evidence ratio of 5799, indicating much stronger evidence favoring the model based on commitment. Results of analyses such as these go beyond anecdotal experience in an effort to establish a formal evidentiary basis for athletic training programs.

Genetic diversity and relationship among indigenous Turkish Karayaka sheep subpopulations.

The Karayaka is the most populous sheep breed in the Black Sea region of Turkey. In the present study, we investigated the intra- and inter-population genetic relationships among indigenous Karayaka sheep subpopulations. Nine microsatellites were genotyped for 64 individuals from Samsun, Ordu, Giresun and Tokat provinces. The average number of alleles ( N a ), allelic richness ( A r ), observed heterozygosity ( H o ), expected heterozygosity ( H e ), polymorphism information content (PIC) and inbreeding coefficient ( F IS ) for all subpopulations were estimated as N a = 16.44 , A r = 9.887 , H o = 0.303 , H e = 0.886 , PIC = 0.866 and F IS = 0.630 , respectively. The observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.171 (Giresun) to 0.376 (Ordu) and 0.757 (Samsun) to 0.845 (Ordu), respectively. It was determined that a 10.5 % of total genetic variation ( F IT = 66.9  %) in Karayaka sheep corresponded to genetic differences among subpopulations ( F ST ), whereas 63.0 % was explained by genetic difference among individuals ( F IS ). This study gives the first evidence about genetic relationships of Karayaka subpopulations. The results show that Karayaka sheep subpopulations are genetically different from each other. These findings revealed that the Karayaka breed has discrete subpopulations and should be taken into consideration when preparing conservation programs and future breeding strategies.

Analysis of Ly49 gene transcripts in mature NK cells supports a role for the Pro1 element in gene activation, not gene expression.

The variegated expression of murine Ly49 loci has been associated with the probabilistic behavior of an upstream promoter active in immature cells, the Pro1 element. However, recent data suggest that Pro1 may be active in mature natural killer (NK) cells and function as an enhancer element. To assess directly if Pro1 transcripts are present in mature Ly49-expressing NK cells, RNA-sequencing of the total transcript pool was performed on freshly isolated splenic NK cells sorted for expression of either Ly49G or Ly49I. No Pro1 transcripts were detected from the Ly49a, Ly49c or Ly49i genes in mature Ly49(+) NK cells that contained high levels of Pro2 transcripts. Low levels of Ly49g Pro1 transcripts were found in both Ly49G(+) and Ly49G(-) populations, consistent with the presence of a small population of mature NK cells undergoing Ly49g gene activation, as previously demonstrated by culture of splenic NK cells in interleukin-2. Ly49 gene reporter constructs containing Pro1 failed to show any enhancer activity of Pro1 on Pro2 in a mature Ly49-expressing cell line. Taken together, the results are consistent with Pro1 transcription having a role in gene activation in developing NK, and argue against a role for Pro1 in Ly49 gene transcription by mature NK cells.

Effectiveness of psychoeducation in reducing internalized stigmatization in patients with bipolar disorder.

This research was conducted as an experiment-control experimental study which aimed to determine the effectiveness of a psychoeducation program prepared to reduce internalized stigmatization. The study included 47 patients (24 experimental, 23 control) who had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. At the end of the psychoeducation program, a significant decrease was observed in the total ISSMI mean scores, as well as in the ISSMI subscale mean scores for subscales such as alienation, approval of stereotypes, perceived discrimination and social withdrawal (p<0.05). The results demonstrated that a psychoeducation program designed for internalized stigmatization may have positive effects on the internalized stigmatization levels of patients with bipolar disorder.

[The attitudes nurses working at psychiatric hospitals in Turkey have towards forensic psychiatric patients and the associated factors]. / Türkiye'de psikiyatri hastanelerinde çalisan hemsirelerin adli psikiyatri hastalarina yönelik tutumlarinietkileyen faktörler.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the attitudes nurses working at psychiatric hospitals in Turkey have towards forensic psychiatric patients and the associated factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 620 nurses working at 8 psychiatric hospitals in Turkey that completed ≥80% of the Nurses' Attitudes Towards Forensic Psychiatric Patients Scale (NAFPPS). Data were evaluated based on number-percentage distribution, and the relationship between variables was examined via t-test, variance analysis, and correlation analysis. RESULTS: Mean age of the nurses was 34.37 ± 7.48 years and 79.4% were female. Mean NAFPPS total and subscale scores were as follows: Xtotal = 69.07 ± 12.46 (max: 125); Xfeelingthreatened = 15.98 ± 3.61 (max: 30); Xtrust = 20.49 ± 5.24 (max: 20); Xsocialdistance = 10.45 ± 3.33 (max: 20); Xwillingnesstoprovidecare = 22.31 ± 4.25 (max: 40). Gender, place of employment, method of obtaining current position, employment status, level of satisfaction working as a psychiatric nurse, history of providing treatment to forensic psychiatric patients, having knowledge of Turkish laws regarding the treatment of forensic psychiatric patients, and thinking that nurses should treat forensic psychiatric patients were correlated with the nurses' attitudes towards forensic psychiatric patients, whereas age, marital status, place of longest residence, level of education, duration of working in the profession, and duration at current hospital were not. CONCLUSION: Despite the fact that the nurses working at 8 psychiatric hospitals in Turkey considered forensic psychiatric patients threatening, didn't trust them, and had a tendency to be socially distant with them, they had a moderate level of willingness to provide them proper care.

Cytomegaloviruses inhibit Bak- and Bax-mediated apoptosis with two separate viral proteins.

Apoptosis of infected cells can limit virus replication and serves as an innate defense mechanism against viral infections. Consequently, viruses delay apoptosis by expressing antiapoptotic proteins, many of which structurally resemble the cellular antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Like Bcl-2, the viral analogs inhibit apoptosis by preventing activation and/or oligomerization of the proapoptotic mitochondrial proteins Bax and Bak. Here we show that cytomegaloviruses (CMVs) have adopted a different strategy. They encode two separate mitochondrial proteins that lack obvious sequence similarities to Bcl-2-family proteins and specifically counteract either Bax or Bak. We identified a small mitochondrion-localized protein encoded by the murine CMV open reading frame (ORF) m41.1, which functions as a viral inhibitor of Bak oligomerization (vIBO). It blocks Bak-mediated cytochrome c release and Bak-dependent induction of apoptosis. It protects cells from cell death-inducing stimuli together with the previously identified Bax-specific inhibitor viral mitochondria-localized inhibitor of apoptosis (vMIA) (encoded by ORF m38.5). Similar vIBO proteins are encoded by CMVs of rats, and possibly by other CMVs as well. These results suggest a non-redundant function of Bax and Bak during viral infection, and a benefit for CMVs derived from the ability to inhibit Bak and Bax separately with two viral proteins.

Alterations in semen parameters of toll collectors working at motorways: does diesel exposure induce detrimental effects on semen?

Air pollution is contemporarily considered to be a significant cause in impairing semen parameters. The aim of this study was to investigate possible effects of traffic pollutants, mainly the diesel exposure, on semen analysis. A total of 38 men working as toll collectors at motorways formed the study group. Simultaneously, 35 men working as office personnel constituted the control group. Factors including varicocele, chronic diseases that can affect sperm production were the exclusion criteria. No difference regarding smoking was present between the groups. Usual semen analysis according to WHO guidelines was performed. The results of semen analysis revealed decreased motility and low sperm counts in eight and seven men from the study group respectively. Besides, a man from the same group had combined abnormality of decreased motility and low sperm count. However, two men from the control group had slight motility defect and one had low sperm count. The differences regarding the abnormal sperm count and motility were significant between the groups (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively). Similarly, the ratio of sperm cells with normal morphology was significantly lower in the study group than that in the control group (P = 0.001). This observation proposes that air pollution particularly diesel exposure may have detrimental effects on sperm parameters.

Comparison of letrozole and clomiphene citrate in women with polycystic ovaries undergoing ovarian stimulation.

Letrozole was compared with clomiphene citrate (CC) as a first-line treatment for ovulation induction in women with polycystic ovaries (PCOs). A total of 106 women with primary infertility and a diagnosis of PCOs were randomized to receive either 100 mg CC (n = 55) or 2.5 mg letrozole (n = 51) daily for 5 days. Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) at a dose of 10000 IU was administered when at least one follicle with a mean diameter > or = 18 mm was observed using transvaginal ultrasound. The number of mature follicles was significantly lower, but endometrial thickness and ovulation and pregnancy rates were significantly higher in the letrozole group than in the CC group. In conclusion, letrozole is associated with a higher pregnancy rate than CC in PCO patients and may have a role as a first-line treatment for anovulatory patients with PCOs.

Increased expression of inflammation-related genes in cultured preadipocytes/stromal vascular cells from obese compared with non-obese Pima Indians.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: The specific contributions made by the various cell types in adipose tissue to obesity, particularly obesity-related inflammation, need to be clarified. The aim of this study was to elucidate the potential role of adipocyte precursor cells (preadipocytes/stromal vascular cells [SVC]). METHODS: We performed Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarray expression profiling of cultured abdominal subcutaneous preadipocytes/SVC isolated from the adipose tissue of 14 non-obese (BMI 25+/-4 kg/m2) and 14 obese (55+/-8 kg/m2) non-diabetic Pima Indian subjects. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) was used to verify the differential expression of several genes in an independent group of subjects. RESULTS: We identified 218 differentially expressed genes with p values less than 0.01. Microarray expression profiling revealed that the expression of inflammation-related genes was significantly upregulated in preadipocytes/SVC of obese individuals. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed the upregulation of IL8, CTSS, ITGB2, HLA-DRA, CD53, PLA2G7 and MMP9 in preadipocytes/SVC of obese subjects. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: The upregulation of inflammation-related genes in preadipocytes/SVC of obese subjects may increase the recruitment of immune cells into adipose tissue and may also result in changes in the extracellular matrix (tissue remodelling) to accommodate adipose tissue expansion in obesity.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and auricular hypoplasia: associated with juvenile colloid milium or ligneous conjunctivitis?

The exact nature of amyloid-like hyaline material deposits in the skin is not well understood in some disorders. Three of those--ligneous conjunctivitis, ligneous periodontitis and colloid milium--have been rarely reported in a same patient. We report a case of mucosal and skin deposits of an amyloid-like homogeneous material associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and congenital auricular hypoplasia. We discussed and reviewed the literature on these unique associations to determine whether these are the same pathological process. We also noted whether this case represents a new syndrome or a coincidental association.

Growth, carcass and meat characteristics of Karayaka growing rams fed sugar beet pulp, partially substituting for grass hay as forage.

Twenty-one growing male Karayaka sheep were divided into three groups of seven at 12 months of age. All groups received a commercial feed (60%) and roughage (40%). One group received grass hay as roughage (control, C), the other two groups received a mixture in which 40 (0.40SBP) or 60% (0.60SBP) sugar beet pulp (SBP) was used in partial replacement of grass hay in the C group during 56 days. Dry matter (DM) intake and DM conversion index (kg DM per kg weight gain) of the C group were higher (P<0.01) than that of the 0.40SBP and 0.60SBP groups. While the 0.60SBP increased (P<0.05) the L* of meat from the Karayaka young rams, the 0.40SBP or 0.60SBP decreased the ultimate pH (P<0.05) and cooking loss (P<0.01) compared to the C group. Means for redness (a*), yellowness (b*), Hue (H*) and Chroma (C*) and sensory characteristics indicated that there were no significant differences between dietary treatments. Inclusion of 60% SBP increased the palmitic (P<0.02) and linoleic (P<0.01) acid contents of the meat, it decreased (P<0.01) stearic, oleic and arachidonic acid contents compared to the C group. The 0.40SBP also increased (P<0.01) the linoleic acid content of the meat, but it decreased (P<0.01) stearic and arachidonic acid contents compared to the control. Although meat from young rams fed 0.60SBP diet had a higher value of lightness and linoleic acid, and a lower value of cooking loss than those from animals fed the C diet, sensory evaluation did not discriminate the meat from young rams fed with control and/or SBP diets. Therefore, grass hay can be replaced by 60% of SBP in the growing diet for Karayaka rams without a reduction in meat quality.

Lack of in vivo effect of vanadium on GLUT4 translocation in white adipose tissue of streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

Vanadium treatment, in vivo, corrects the severe hyperglycemia observed in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. A number of metabolic effects of vanadium have been demonstrated in vitro and might contribute importantly to normalization of glucose homeostasis. However, many in vitro effects of vanadium occur at concentrations substantially higher than those achieved in vivo. Effects of vanadium on white adipose tissue have been particularly well characterized in vitro. To examine the relationship between in vitro and in vivo actions of vanadium, we examined the effects of vanadium treatment on acute glucose tolerance and adipose tissue GLUT4 control in vivo. In agreement with previous studies, vanadium treatment of STZ-diabetic rats restored normoglycemia with no appreciable restoration of insulin secretion. GLUT4 expression in white adipose tissue was reduced by 22% in STZ-diabetic rats compared with controls. Vanadium treatment did not significantly alter GLUT4 expression in controls, but completely restored normal expression levels in STZ-diabetic rats. In overnight-fasted control animals, GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane (PM) was maximally elevated (by 50%) in adipose tissue within 5 to 10 minutes after an intravenous (IV) glucose challenge. No glucose-induced translocation of GLUT4 was detected in diabetic rats, and peak PM GLUT4 content was 40% lower than in controls. Vanadium treatment did not increase peak PM GLUT4 content in either control or diabetic animals in response to a glucose load. Finally, the suppression of whole-body acute glucose tolerance in diabetic animals was only partially normalized by vanadium treatment. We conclude: (1) that concentrations of vanadium effective for maintaining normoglycemia in vivo (typically below 30 micromol/L) promote normal GLUT4 expression, but do not influence the subcellular localization of GLUT4 in white adipose tissue and (2) that in vivo effects of vanadium may not necessarily reflect the actions observed in vitro at supraphysiologic concentrations.

Mechanisms of vanadium action: insulin-mimetic or insulin-enhancing agent?

The demonstration that the trace element vanadium has insulin-like properties in isolated cells and tissues and in vivo has generated considerable enthusiasm for its potential therapeutic value in human diabetes. However, the mechanisms by which vanadium induces its metabolic effects in vivo remain poorly understood, and whether vanadium directly mimics or rather enhances insulin effects is considered in this review. It is clear that vanadium treatment results in the correction of several diabetes-related abnormalities in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and in gene expression. However, many of these in vivo insulin-like effects can be ascribed to the reversal of defects that are secondary to hyperglycemia. The observations that the glucose-lowering effect of vanadium depends on the presence of endogenous insulin whereas metabolic homeostasis in control animals appears not to be affected, suggest that vanadium does not act completely independently in vivo, but augments tissue sensitivity to low levels of plasma insulin. Another crucial consideration is one of dose-dependency in that insulin-like effects of vanadium in isolated cells are often demonstrated at high concentrations that are not normally achieved by chronic treatment in vivo and may induce toxic side effects. In addition, vanadium appears to be selective for specific actions of insulin in some tissues while failing to influence others. As the intracellular active forms of vanadium are not precisely defined, the site(s) of action of vanadium in metabolic and signal transduction pathways is still unknown. In this review, we therefore examine the evidence for and against the concept that vanadium is truly an insulin-mimetic agent at low concentrations in vivo. In considering the effects of vanadium on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, we conclude that vanadium acts not globally, but selectively and by enhancing, rather than by mimicking the effects of insulin in vivo.

Potential of hazelnut husks as a broiler litter material.

1. Hazelnut husks and some other litter materials were compared for litter properties and their effects on broiler performance. 2. A total of 750 1-d-old broiler chicks were weighed and assigned at random to 1 of 5 treatments, with each treatment replicated 3 times. 3. The treatments were wood shavings (control), wheat stalks, rice hulls, hazelnut husks, and a mixture of 50% rice hulls and 50% hazelnut husks. 4. Although hazelnut husks were associated with lower body weights at 49 d of age, food efficiency mortality, carcase yield, breast blisters and production index were similar to birds on wood shavings. Hazelnut husks had the highest litter moisture. 5. The results show that hazelnut husks alone and when mixed with rice hulls are a potential alternative litter material for broiler production.

Distinct glucose lowering and beta cell protective effects of vanadium and food restriction in streptozotocin-diabetes.

Vanadium is an oral insulin-mimetic agent that diminishes hyperglycemia, improves beta-cell insulin store and secretory function, and can reverse the diabetic state chronically after withdrawal from treatment. As food restriction has been reported to enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce insulin demand, we assessed the contribution of a reduced food intake to the glucose lowering and beta-cell protective effects of vanadium. Streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats were untreated (D) or administered vanadyl sulfate in the drinking water (DT) at one week prior to and for 5 weeks following the administration of STZ. An additional group was pair-fed (DP) with an equal amount of food as that consumed by the DT group. Shortly after the induction of diabetes, hyperglycemic D rats demonstrated a significant rise in plasma insulin to levels that initially exceeded that of the controls. This was followed by a steady reduction over several weeks, suggesting a gradual depletion of functional beta-cells. Both vanadium treatment and pair-feeding abolished the insulin hypersecretory response following STZ administration. Glucose lowering was enhanced in DT animals when administered higher concentrations of vanadium, despite no further reduction in food intake, and all DT animals (10/10) were normoglycemic by 5 weeks. Mean pancreatic insulin content in DT rats was improved fourfold and was associated with a greater number of granulated beta-cells. Conversely, food restriction only modestly improved glycemia and the pancreatic insulin store and, unlike DT, DP rats remained highly glucose-intolerant. At 5 weeks of diabetes, fed circulating glucose and insulin levels were strongly correlated (P=0.0002) in the D and DP groups, supporting the notion that glucose lowering with food restriction is dependent on improved plasma insulin levels. A separate correlation was observed in DT animals within a lower range of plasma insulin, suggesting that vanadium, unlike food restriction, reduced plasma glucose by enhancing insulin sensitivity. Thus, vanadium preserves beta-cells in STZ-diabetes at least partially by abolishing the insulin hypersecretory response and the eventual exhaustion of residual insulin stores following a moderate dose of STZ. This property of vanadium would appear to be useful in the treatment of prediabetic and newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Localization of lipoprotein lipase in the diabetic heart: regulation by acute changes in insulin.

Vascular endothelium-bound lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is rate limiting for free fatty acid (FFA) transport into tissues. In streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats, we have previously demonstrated an increased heparin-releasable LPL activity from perfused hearts. Because heparin can traverse the endothelial barrier, conventional Langendorff retrograde perfusion of the heart with heparin could release LPL from both the capillary luminal and abluminal surfaces. To determine the precise location of the augmented LPL, a modified Langendorff retrograde perfusion was used to isolate the enzyme at the coronary lumen from that in the interstitial effluent. In response to heparin, a 4-fold increase in LPL activity and protein mass was observed in the coronary perfusate after 2 weeks of STZ diabetes. Release of LPL activity into the interstitial fluid of control hearts was slow but progressive, whereas in diabetic hearts, peak enzyme activity was observed within 1 to 2 minutes after heparin, followed by a gradual decline. Immunohistochemical studies of myocardial sections confirmed that the augmented LPL in diabetic hearts was mainly localized at the capillary endothelium. To study the acute effects of insulin on endothelial LPL activity, we examined rat hearts at various times after the onset of hyperglycemia. An increased heparin-releasable LPL activity in diabetic rats was demonstrated shortly (6 to 24 hours) after STZ injection or after withdrawal from exogenous insulin. Heparin-releasable coronary LPL activity was also increased after an overnight fast. These studies indicate that the intravascular heparin-releasable fraction of cardiac LPL activity is acutely regulated by short-term changes in insulin rather than glucose. Thus, during short periods (hours) of hypoinsulinemia, increased LPL activity at the capillary endothelium can increase the delivery of FFAs to the heart. The resultant metabolic changes could induce the subsequent cardiomyopathy that is observed in the chronic diabetic rat.

[Atrial myxoma: cutaneous manifestations]. / Myxome de l'oreillette: manifestations cutanées.

INTRODUCTION: Atrial myxomas may have variable misleading symptoms, explaining frequent delays in diagnosis. Multiple embolisms with irreversible consequences may occur. The dermatologist has a prominent role to play, as the clinical picture includes cutaneous signs. CASE REPORT: A 60 year old woman, with previous history of joint pain and Raynaud's phenomenon suffered a sudden neurological transitory ischemic event. The cutaneous manifestations associated left forearm erythematous macules, distal ischemia of the left fourth and fifth fingers and livedo of both lower limbs. Cardiac echography confirmed the clinical diagnosis of atrial myxoma. Surgical excision was followed by rapid and complete cure. DISCUSSION: Atrial myxoma is a rare benign tumor usually revealed by prominent cardiac and embolic manifestations. Systemic and cutaneous signs may however be the sole symptoms, warranting the dermatologist's attention.

Insulin-induced Glut4 recruitment in the fatty Zucker rat heart is not associated with changes in Glut4 content in the intracellular membrane.

Impaired cardiac glucose metabolism and glucose transport have been shown in the insulin resistant fatty Zucker rat. The aim of the present study was to examine the translocation of the insulin-sensitive glucose transporter (Glut4) in the heart of the fatty Zucker rat under in vivo conditions. Insulin was injected into both lean (FA/?) and fatty (fa/fa) Zucker rats via the tail vein. The time course of cardiac Glut4 translocation was studied by determining the subcellular distribution of Glut4 using a newly developed ELISA quantitation method. Insulin (10 U/kg) caused a 30% and 37% increase in plasma membrane Glut4 content at 20 min after injection in lean and fatty rats respectively. The plasma membrane Glut4 contents in the basal and insulin-stimulated states were significantly lower in the fatty rat when compared to the lean control. The dose effect of insulin (2.5-10 U/kg) on Glut4 mobilization to the plasma membrane was similar in both phenotypes. The time course of Glut4 mobilization to the plasma membrane (5-30 min), which was similar in both lean and fatty Zucker rats, showed that maximal translocation was reached at 5 min post insulin injection and persisted throughout the remaining 25 min. However, in fatty Zucker rats, Glut4 content in the intracellular membrane remained unchanged at all insulin doses and all time points studied. Collectively, these results show that Glut4 recruitment to the plasma membrane is responsive to insulin in the fatty Zucker rat heart and that the maximal response was similar to that in lean Zucker rats. However, the recruitment of Glut4 to the plasma membrane was not associated with changes in the intracellular membrane Glut4 content.