Pilot, Open, Randomized, Prospective Trial for Normothermic Machine Perfusion Evaluation in Liver Transplantation From Older Donors.

Ex situ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) might minimize ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) of liver grafts. In this study, 20 primary liver transplantation recipients of older grafts (≥70 years) were randomized 1:1 to NMP or cold storage (CS) groups. The primary study endpoint was to evaluate graft and patient survival at 6 months posttransplantation. The secondary endpoint was to evaluate liver and bile duct biopsies; IRI by means of peak transaminases within 7 days after surgery; and incidence of biliary complications at month 6. Liver and bile duct biopsies were collected at bench surgery, end of ex situ NMP, and end of transplant surgery. Interleukin (IL) 6, IL10, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) perfusate concentrations were tested during NMP. All grafts were successfully transplanted. Median (interquartile range) posttransplant aspartate aminotransferase peak was 709 (371-1575) IU/L for NMP and 574 (377-1162) IU/L for CS (P = 0.597). There was 1 hepatic artery thrombosis in the NMP group and 1 death in the CS group. In NMP, we observed high TNF-α perfusate levels, and these were inversely correlated with lactate (P < 0.001). Electron microscopy showed decreased mitochondrial volume density and steatosis and an increased volume density of autophagic vacuoles at the end of transplantation in NMP versus CS patients (P < 0.001). Use of NMP with older liver grafts is associated with histological evidence of reduced IRI, although the clinical benefit remains to be demonstrated.

Ultrastructural alterations of pancreatic beta cells in human diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Both types of diabetes are characterized by beta-cell failure and death, leading to insulin insufficiency. Very limited information is currently available about the ultrastructural alterations of beta cells in human diabetes. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive ultrastructural analysis of human pancreatic islets in type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetic patients. METHODS: We performed a morphometric electron microscopy evaluation of beta cells obtained from the pancreas of 8 nondiabetic (ND), 5 T1D, and 8 T2D organ donors. RESULTS: A lower amount of beta cells was found in both T1D and T2D than in ND islets, whereas alpha cells were increased only in T2D. An increased number of bi-hormonal cells (showing both insulin and glucagon granules in their cytoplasm) were found in T1D. Insulin granules were less represented in T2D than in ND beta cells, whereas no significant changes were found in T1D. Volume density of the endoplasmic reticulum was increased in T2D and unchanged in T1D; mitochondria number and volume were significantly higher in T2D than in ND beta cells, whereas no significant differences were found in T1D. In both T1D and T2D, more beta cells showed signs of apoptosis than in ND. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that in each type of diabetes, beta cells exhibit specific ultrastructural alterations, whose better understanding might improve therapeutic strategies.

DNA methylation profiling identifies epigenetic dysregulation in pancreatic islets from type 2 diabetic patients.

In addition to genetic predisposition, environmental and lifestyle factors contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Epigenetic changes may provide the link for translating environmental exposures into pathological mechanisms. In this study, we performed the first comprehensive DNA methylation profiling in pancreatic islets from T2D and non-diabetic donors. We uncovered 276 CpG loci affiliated to promoters of 254 genes displaying significant differential DNA methylation in diabetic islets. These methylation changes were not present in blood cells from T2D individuals nor were they experimentally induced in non-diabetic islets by exposure to high glucose. For a subgroup of the differentially methylated genes, concordant transcriptional changes were present. Functional annotation of the aberrantly methylated genes and RNAi experiments highlighted pathways implicated in ß-cell survival and function; some are implicated in cellular dysfunction while others facilitate adaptation to stressors. Together, our findings offer new insights into the intricate mechanisms of T2D pathogenesis, underscore the important involvement of epigenetic dysregulation in diabetic islets and may advance our understanding of T2D aetiology.

Mast cells infiltrate pancreatic islets in human type 1 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Beta cell destruction in human type 1 diabetes occurs through the interplay of genetic and environmental factors, and is mediated by immune cell infiltration of pancreatic islets. In this study, we explored the role of mast cells as an additional agent in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes insulitis. METHODS: Pancreatic tissue from donors without diabetes and with type 1 and 2 diabetes was studied using different microscopy techniques to identify islet-infiltrating cells. The direct effects of histamine exposure on isolated human islets and INS-1E cells were assessed using cell-survival studies and molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: A larger number of mast cells were found to infiltrate pancreatic islets in samples from donors with type 1 diabetes, compared with those from donors without diabetes or with type 2 diabetes. Evidence of mast cell degranulation was observed, and the extent of the infiltration correlated with beta cell damage. Histamine, an amine that is found at high levels in mast cells, directly contributed to beta cell death in isolated human islets and INS-1E cells via a caspase-independent pathway. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These findings suggest that mast cells might be responsible, at least in part, for immune-mediated beta cell alterations in human type 1 diabetes. If this is the case, inhibition of mast cell activation and degranulation might act to protect beta cells in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Are we overestimating the loss of beta cells in type 2 diabetes?

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Previous work has demonstrated that beta cell amount (whether measured as beta cell mass, beta cell volume or insulin-positive area) is decreased in type 2 diabetes; however, recent findings suggest that mechanisms other than death may contribute to beta cell failure in this disease. To better characterise beta cell mass and function in type 2 diabetes, we performed morphological, ultra-structural and functional studies using histological samples and isolated islets. METHODS: Pancreases from ten non-diabetic (ND) and ten matched type 2 diabetic organ donors were studied by insulin, glucagon and chromogranin A immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy (EM). Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was assessed using isolated islets and studies were performed using independent ND islet preparations after 24 h exposure to 22.2 mmol/l glucose. RESULTS: Immunocytochemistry showed that the fractional islet insulin-positive area was lower in type 2 diabetic islets (54.9 ± 6.3% vs 72.1 ± 8.7%, p < 0.01), whereas glucagon (23.3 ± 5.4% vs 20.2 ± 5.3%) and chromogranin A (86.4 ± 6.1% vs 89.0 ± 5.5%) staining was similar between the two groups. EM showed that the proportion of beta cells in type 2 diabetic islets was only marginally decreased; marked beta cell degranulation was found in diabetic beta cells; these findings were all reproduced after exposing isolated ND islets to high glucose. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was 40­50% lower from type 2 diabetic islets (p < 0.01), which again was mimicked by culturing non-diabetic islets in high glucose. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: These results suggest that, at least in subgroups of type 2 diabetic patients, the loss of beta cells as assessed so far might be overestimated, possibly due to changes in beta cell phenotype other than death, also contributing to beta cell failure in type 2 diabetes.

PRIMA-1 induces autophagy in cancer cells carrying mutant or wild type p53.

PRIMA-1 is a chemical compound identified as a growth suppressor of tumor cells expressing mutant p53. We previously found that in the MDA-MB-231 cell line expressing high level of the mutant p53-R280K protein, PRIMA-1 induced p53 ubiquitination and degradation associated to cell death. In this study, we investigated the ability of PRIMA-1 to induce autophagy in cancer cells. In MDA-MB-231 and HCT116 cells, expressing mutant or wild type p53, respectively, autophagy occurred following exposure to PRIMA-1, as shown by acridine orange staining, anti-LC3 immunofluorescence and immunoblots, as well as by electron microscopy. Autophagy was triggered also in the derivative cell lines knocked-down for p53, although to a different extent than in the parental cells expressing mutant or wild type p53. In particular, while wild type p53 limited PRIMA-1 induced autophagy, mutant p53 conversely promoted autophagy, thus sustaining cell viability following PRIMA-1 treatment. Therefore, the autophagic potential of PRIMA-1, besides being cell context dependent, could be modulated in a different way by the presence of wild type or mutant p53. Furthermore, since both cell lines lacking p53 were more sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of PRIMA-1 than the parental ones, our findings suggest that a deregulated autophagy may favor cell death induced by this drug.

Dopamine-mediated autocrine inhibition of insulin secretion.

The aim of the present research was to explore the mechanisms underlying the role of dopamine in the regulation of insulin secretion in beta cells. The effect of dopamine on insulin secretion was investigated on INS 832/13 cell line upon glucose and other secretagogues stimulation. Results show that dopamine significantly inhibits insulin secretion stimulated by both glucose and other secretagogues, while it has no effect on the basal secretion. This effect requires the presence of dopamine during incubation with the various secretagogues. Both electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry indicate that in beta cells the D2 dopamine receptor is localized within the insulin granules. Blocking dopamine entry into the insulin granules by inhibiting the VMAT2 transporter with tetrabenazine causes a significant increase in ROS production. Our results confirm that dopamine plays an important role in the regulation of insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells through a regulated and precise compartmentalization mechanisms.

Sequential Normothermic Regional Perfusion and End-ischemic Ex Situ Machine Perfusion Allow the Safe Use of Very Old DCD Donors in Liver Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: In Italy, 20 min of continuous, flat-line electrocardiogram are required for death declaration. Despite prolonged warm ischemia time, Italian centers reported good outcomes in controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) liver transplantation by combining normothermic regional and end-ischemic machine perfusion (MP). The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the use of septuagenarian and octogenarian cDCD donors with this approach. METHODS: All cDCD older than 70 y were evaluated during normothermic regional perfusion and then randomly assigned to dual hypothermic or normothermic MP. RESULTS: In the period from April 2021 to December 2022, 17 cDCD older than 70 y were considered. In 6 cases (35%), the graft was not considered suitable for liver transplantation, whereas 11 (65%) were evaluated and eventually transplanted. The median donor age was 82 y, being 8 (73%) older than 80. Median functional warm ischemia and no-flow time were 36 and 28 min, respectively. Grafts were randomly assigned to ex situ dual hypothermic oxygenated MP in 6 cases (55%) and normothermic MP in 5 (45%). None was discarded during MP. There were no cases of primary nonfunction, 1 case of postreperfusion syndrome (9%) and 2 cases (18%) of early allograft dysfunction. At a median follow-up of 8 mo, no vascular complications or ischemic cholangiopathy were reported. No major differences were found in terms of postoperative hospitalization or complications based on the type of MP. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of sequential normothermic regional and end-ischemic MP allows the safe use of very old donation after circulatory death donors.

The pancreatic beta cells in human type 2 diabetes.

Bell-cell (beta-cell) impairment is central to the development and progression of human diabetes, as a result of the combined effects of genetic and acquired factors. Reduced islet number and/or reduced beta cells amount in the pancreas of individuals with Type 2 diabetes have been consistently reported. This is mainly due to increased beta cell death, not adequately compensated for by regeneration. In addition, several quantitative and/or qualitative defects of insulin secretion have been observed in Type 2 diabetes, both in vivo and ex vivo with isolated islets. All this is associated with modifications of islet cell gene and protein expression. With the identification of several susceptible Type 2 diabetes loci, the role of genotype in affecting beta-cell function and survival has been addressed in a few studies and the relationships between genotype and beta-cell phenotype investigated. Among acquired factors, the importance of metabolic insults (in particular glucotoxicity and lipotoxicity) in the natural history of beta-cell damage has been widely underlined. Continuous improvements in our knowledge of the beta cells in human Type 2 diabetes will lead to more targeted and effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of the disease.

Joint Pain and Arthritis as First Clinical Manifestation of Systemic Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma: Case Report and Brief Literature Review.

Amyloidosis is a rare disease that is often seen in conjunction with multiple myeloma (MM). Its damage varies depending on the anatomical site affected; however, it is believed that many cases of amyloidosis are misrecognized due to the fact that its signs and symptoms are nonspecific. Joint amyloidosis, in particular, may be confused with degenerative or autoimmune diseases. When it is associated with MM, it can significantly precede the diagnosis of the latter. We describe a case report of a woman of Nigerian heritage diagnosed with MM with widespread joint manifestations compatible with a diagnosis of amyloidosis, which had preceded the diagnosis of MM and benefited from MM treatment. Faced with the suspicion of amyloidosis, if confirmed, this can be used to anticipate the diagnosis of MM, and at a more advanced stage, it can benefit from the treatment of the MM.

Dysregulated insulin secretion is associated with pancreatic ß-cell hyperplasia and direct acinar-ß-cell trans-differentiation in partially eNOS-deficient mice.

eNOS-deficient mice were previously shown to develop hypertension and metabolic alterations associated with insulin resistance either in standard dietary conditions (eNOS-/- homozygotes) or upon high-fat diet (HFD) (eNOS+/- heterozygotes). In the latter heterozygote model, the present study investigated the pancreatic morphological changes underlying the abnormal glycometabolic phenotype. C57BL6 wild type (WT) and eNOS+/- mice were fed with either chow or HFD for 16 weeks. After being longitudinally monitored for their metabolic state after 8 and 16 weeks of diet, mice were euthanized and fragments of pancreas were processed for histological, immuno-histochemical and ultrastructural analyses. HFD-fed WT and eNOS+/- mice developed progressive glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Differently from WT animals, eNOS+/- mice showed a blunted insulin response to a glucose load, regardless of the diet regimen. Such dysregulation of insulin secretion was associated with pancreatic ß-cell hyperplasia, as shown by larger islet fractional area and ß-cell mass, and higher number of extra-islet ß-cell clusters than in chow-fed WT animals. In addition, only in the pancreas of HFD-fed eNOS+/- mice, there was ultrastructural evidence of a number of hybrid acinar-ß-cells, simultaneously containing zymogen and insulin granules, suggesting the occurrence of a direct exocrine-endocrine transdifferentiation process, plausibly triggered by metabolic stress associated to deficient endothelial NO production. As suggested by confocal immunofluorescence analysis of pancreatic histological sections, inhibition of Notch-1 signaling, likely due to a reduced NO availability, is proposed as a novel mechanism that could favor both ß-cell hyperplasia and acinar-ß-cell transdifferentiation in eNOS-deficient mice with impaired insulin response to a glucose load.

Mast Cells and the Pancreas in Human Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes.

Mast cells are highly differentiated, widely distributed cells of the innate immune system, that are currently considered as key regulators of both innate and adaptive immunity. Mast cells play a key role in health and survival mechanisms, especially as sentinel cells that can stimulate protective immune responses. On the other hand, it has been shown that mast cells are involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases, and recently a possible pathogenetic role of mast cells in diabetes has been proposed. In this review we summarize the evidence on the increased presence of mast cells in the pancreas of subjects with type 1 diabetes, which is due to the autoimmune destruction of insulin secreting beta cells, and discuss the differences with type 2 diabetes, the other major form of diabetes. In addition, we describe some of the pathophysiological mechanisms through which mast cells might exert their actions, which could be targeted to potentially protect the beta cells in autoimmune diabetes.

Selective beta-cell toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on isolated pancreatic islets.

An association between exposure to environmental pollutants and diabetes risk has been repeatedly shown by epidemiological studies. However, the biological basis of this association still need to be clarified. In this research we explored the effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) exposure on isolated pancreatic islets. After 1, 6 and 24 h exposure of isolated islets to different concentrations (1-50 nM) of TCDD we assayed: i) cell survival; ii) ultrastructure; iii) glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS); iv) expression of selected genes. A significant, dose-related increase of both necrosis and apoptosis was observed isolated rat islets after 24 h exposure to TCDD. The electron microscopic analysis revealed, at the same time point, the presence of several ultrastructural alterations (mitochondrial swelling, increased mitophagy, dilation of the endoplasmic reticulum) that, very interestingly, were exclusively observed in beta cells and not in other endocrine cells. Similar results were obtained in isolated human islets. GSIS was rapidly (1 h) and persistently (6 and 24 h) decreased by TCDD exposure even at the smallest concentration (1 nM). TCDD exposure significantly affected gene expression in isolated islets: Glut2, Gck, Bcl-xL, MafA, Pdx1 FoxO1 and IRE1 gene expression was significantly decreased, whereas Puma, DP5, iNOS and Chop gene expression was significantly increased after 6 h exposure to TCDD. In conclusion, our results clearly indicated that pancreatic beta cells represent not only a sensitive but also a specific target of the toxic action of dioxin.

ß-Cells Different Vulnerability to the Parkinsonian Neurotoxins Rotenone, 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and 6-Hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).

Neurotoxins such as rotenone, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) are well known for their high toxicity on dopaminergic neurons and are associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) in murine models and humans. In addition, PD patients often have glucose intolerance and may develop type 2 diabetes (T2D), whereas T2D patients have higher risk of PD compared to general population. Based on these premises, we evaluated the toxicity of these three toxins on pancreatic ß-cell lines (INS-1 832/13 and MIN6) and we showed that rotenone is the most potent for reducing ß-cells viability and altering mitochondrial structure and bioenergetics in the low nanomolar range, similar to that found in dopaminergic cell lines. MPP+ and 6-OHDA show similar effects but at higher concentration. Importantly, rotenone-induced toxicity was counteracted by α-tocopherol and partially by metformin, which are endowed with strong antioxidative and cytoprotective properties. These data show similarities between dopaminergic neurons and ß-cells in terms of vulnerability to toxins and pharmacological agents capable to protect both cell types.

Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Induce Insulin and Glucagon Double Positive Human Islet Cells That Are Resistant to Apoptosis.

The presence of islet cells double positive for insulin and glucagon (Ins+/Glu+) has been described in the pancreas from both type 2 (T2D) and type 1 (T1D) diabetic subjects. We studied the role of pro-inflammatory cytokines on the occurrence, trajectory, and characteristics of Ins+/Glu+ cells in human pancreatic islets. Pancreas samples, isolated islets, and dispersed islet cells from 3 T1D and 11 non-diabetic (ND) multi-organ donors were studied by immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and/or electron microscopy. ND islet cells were exposed to interleukin-1ß and interferon-γ for up to 120 h. In T1D islets, we confirmed an increased prevalence of Ins+/Glu+ cells. Cytokine-exposed islets showed a progressive increase of Ins+/Glu+ cells that represented around 50% of endocrine cells after 120h. Concomitantly, cells expressing insulin granules only decreased significantly over time, whereas those containing only glucagon granules remained stable. Interestingly, Ins+/Glu+ cells were less prone to cytokine-induced apoptosis than cells containing only insulin. Cytokine-exposed islets showed down-regulation of ß-cell identity genes. In conclusion, pro-inflammatory cytokines induce Ins+/Glu+ cells in human islets, possibly due to a switch from a ß- to a ß-/α-cell phenotype. These Ins+/Glu+ cells appear to be resistant to cytokine-induced apoptosis.

Ultrastructural Localization of Histidine-rich Glycoprotein in Skeletal Muscle Fibers: Colocalization With AMP Deaminase.

Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is a plasma protein synthesized by the liver. We have given the first evidence of a tissue localization of HRG demonstrating its presence in skeletal muscle, associated with the zinc enzyme AMP deaminase (AMPD1). Moreover, we have shown that muscle cells do not synthesize HRG, but they can internalize it from plasma. We have recently demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy that in human skeletal muscle, HRG is mainly localized in the myofibrils, preferentially at the I-band of the sarcomere, in the sarcoplasm, and in the nuclei. Using transmission electron microscopy and immunogold analysis, we carried out this study on human and rat normal skeletal muscles with the purpose to deepen the ultrastructural localization of HRG in skeletal muscle fibers. The immunogold analysis evidenced the presence of HRG in the sarcomeres, mainly in the I-band and to a less extent in the A-band, in the heterochromatin of nuclei, and in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. The colocalization of HRG and skeletal muscle AMPD1 was also analyzed. A colabeling of HRG and AMPD1 was evident at sarcomeric, sarcoplasmic reticulum, and nuclear levels. The significance of these interesting and new results is discussed in this article.

Different types of amyloid concomitantly present in the same patients.

Different types of amyloid concomitantly present in the same patient is believed to be improbable. We reported four cases of patients with plasma cell disorders who were found to have biopsy proven concomitant different types of amyloid fibrils deposition. We characterized amyloid fibrils using immunogold electron microscopy. There is lack of experience in the treatment of these frail and elderly patients, who are on the threshold between necessity of chemotherapy for AL amyloidosis and necessity to avoid harmful treatment related toxicity. All patients with a systemic amyloid syndrome require therapy to prevent deposition of amyloid in other organs and prevent progressive organ failure. Stem cell transplant (SCT) is preferred, but only 20% of patients are eligible Requirements for safe SCT include systolic blood pressure >90 mm Hg, troponin T <0.06 ng/mL, age <70 years, and serum creatinine ≤1.7 mg/dL Nontransplant candidates can be offered melphalandexamethasone or cyclophosphamide-bortezomibdexamethasone.

Starvation Promotes Autophagy-Associated Maturation of the Testis in the Giant Freshwater Prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii.

Autophagy is a degradative process of cellular components accomplished through an autophagosomal-lysosomal pathway. It is an evolutionary conserved mechanism present in all eukaryotic cells, and it plays a fundamental role in maintaining tissue homeostasis both in vertebrates and invertebrates. Autophagy accompanies tissue remodeling during organ differentiation. Several autophagy-related genes and proteins show significant upregulations following nutrient shortage (i.e., starvation). In our previous study, we found that in female giant freshwater prawns subjected to a short period of starvation autophagy was up-regulated in consonant with ovarian maturation and oocyte differentiation. Whether and how starvation-induced autophagy impacts on testicular maturation and spermatogenesis of the male prawns remained to be investigated. In this study, we analyzed the effects of starvation on histological and cellular changes in the testis of the giant freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii that paralleled the induction of autophagy. Under short starvation condition, the male prawns showed increased gonado-somatic index, increased size, and late stage of maturation of seminiferous tubules, which contained increased number of spermatozoa. Concurrently, the number of autophagy vacuoles and autophagy flux, as monitored by transmission electron microscopy and the autophagic marker LC3, increased in the testicular cells, indicating that a short period of starvation could induce testicular maturation and spermatogenesis in male M. rosenbergii along with modulation of autophagy.

mTORC1 to AMPK switching underlies ß-cell metabolic plasticity during maturation and diabetes.

Pancreatic beta cells (ß-cells) differentiate during fetal life, but only postnatally acquire the capacity for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). How this happens is not clear. In exploring what molecular mechanisms drive the maturation of ß-cell function, we found that the control of cellular signaling in ß-cells fundamentally switched from the nutrient sensor target of rapamycin (mTORC1) to the energy sensor 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), and that this was critical for functional maturation. Moreover, AMPK was activated by the dietary transition taking place during weaning, and this in turn inhibited mTORC1 activity to drive the adult ß-cell phenotype. While forcing constitutive mTORC1 signaling in adult ß-cells relegated them to a functionally immature phenotype with characteristic transcriptional and metabolic profiles, engineering the switch from mTORC1 to AMPK signaling was sufficient to promote ß-cell mitochondrial biogenesis, a shift to oxidative metabolism, and functional maturation. We also found that type 2 diabetes, a condition marked by both mitochondrial degeneration and dysregulated GSIS, was associated with a remarkable reversion of the normal AMPK-dependent adult ß-cell signature to a more neonatal one characterized by mTORC1 activation. Manipulating the way in which cellular nutrient signaling pathways regulate ß-cell metabolism may thus offer new targets to improve ß-cell function in diabetes.

In vivo effect of an antilipolytic drug (3,5'-dimethylpyrazole) on autophagic proteolysis and autophagy-related gene expression in rat liver.

Autophagy is an intracellular pathway induced by starvation, inhibited by nutrients, that is responsible for degradation of long-lived proteins and altered cell organelles. This process is involved in cell maintenance could be induced by antilipolytic drugs and may have anti-aging effects [A. Donati, The involvement of macroautophagy in aging and anti-aging interventions, Mol. Aspects Med. 27 (2006) 455-470]. We analyzed the effect of an intraperitoneal injection of an antilipolytic agent (3,5'-dimethylpyrazole, DMP, 12mg/kg b.w.), that mimics nutrient shortage on autophagy and expression of autophagic genes in the liver of male 3-month-old Sprague-Dawley albino rats. Autophagy was evaluated by observing electron micrographs of the liver autophagosomal compartment and by monitoring protein degradation assessed by the release of valine into the bloodstream. LC3 gene expression, whose product is one of the best known markers of autophagy, was also monitored. As expected, DMP decreased the plasma levels of free fatty acids, glucose, and insulin and increased autophagic vacuoles and proteolysis. DMP treatment caused an increase in the expression of the LC3 gene although this occurred later than the induction of authophagic proteolysis caused by DMP. Glucose treatment rescued the effects caused by DMP on glucose and insulin plasma levels and negatively affected the rate of autophagic proteolysis, but did not suppress the positive regulatory effect on LC3 mRNA levels. In conclusion, antilipolytic drugs may induce both autophagic proteolysis and higher expression of an autophagy-related gene and the effect on autophagy gene expression might not be secondary to the stimulation of autophagic proteolysis.