Changes in proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibody levels in early systemic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) may reflect treatment rather than disease activity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the nature of the relationship between proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasm autoantibody (PR3-ANCA) and relapse in patients with early systemic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's) (GPA). METHODS: Clinical data from 16 relapsing and 12 non-relapsing patients with early systemic GPA from a randomised clinical trial were correlated to monthly PR3-ANCA values over 18 months. Each sample was examined using 9 different enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to ensure reliability of ANCA results. PR3-ANCA peaks were identified by the highest sum of logarithmic transformation values from all assays in samples after remission. RESULTS: A PR3-ANCA peak was identified in all relapsing and non-relapsing patients and coincided with relapse in all 14 evaluable relapsing patients. The monthly increment before the peak, however, was similar in relapsing and non-relapsing patients in all assays. Increments from remission to peak were higher in relapsing patients in 2/9 assays. PR3-ANCA values at entry and peak PR3-ANCA values were higher in relapsing patients in 3/9 and 2/9 assays, respectively. However, large overlaps of PR3-ANCA values prevented a distinction between relapsing and non-relapsing patients. The median time to reach peak values was 14 months in relapsing and 12 months in non-relapsing patients with scheduled termination of treatment at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: The predictive value for relapses of PR3-ANCA determinations confirm and extend previous reports. Although all relapses were related to PR3-ANCA increases, reduction or withdrawal of immunosuppression without relapse was also related to increases and may explain the lack of predictive value of sequential PR3-ANCA determinations.

Normal feeding behavior, body weight and leptin response require the neuropeptide Y Y2 receptor.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a 36-amino-acid peptide widely expressed in the brain is involved in many physiological responses, including hypothalamic control of food intake and cardiovascular homeostasis. NPY mediates its effects through binding to the Y1, Y2 and Y5 G-protein-coupled receptors. Little is known of the role of the Y2 receptor in mediating the different NPY effects. We inactivated the Y2 receptor subtype in mice and found that these mice developed increased body weight, food intake and fat deposition. The null mutant mice showed an attenuated response to leptin administration but a normal response to NPY-induced food intake and intact regulation of re-feeding and body weight after starvation. An absence of the Y2 receptor subtype also affected the basal control of heart rate, but did not influence blood pressure. These findings indicate an inhibitory role for the Y2 receptor subtype in the central regulation of body weight and control of food intake.

Pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine in patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND: As ropivacaine and its metabolites are excreted by the kidneys, we studied their disposition in subjects with renal dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty patients with moderate or severe renal insufficiency and 10 healthy volunteers received ropivacaine 1 mg kg(-1) i.v. over 30 min. The concentrations of ropivacaine and its main metabolites, pipecoloxylidide (PPX) and 3-hydroxy-ropivacaine, were measured in plasma and urine for 16-48 h. The relationship between pharmacokinetic parameters and creatinine clearance (CL(CR)) was assessed. A model for estimating non-renal clearance of a metabolite of ropivacaine is described. RESULTS: Renal dysfunction had little or no influence on the pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine. The median plasma concentrations of unbound ropivacaine were similar in uraemic and non-uraemic subjects. Renal clearance of PPX correlated significantly with CL(CR) (R(2)=0.81). Lack of correlation between total PPX exposure, expressed as area under the total plasma concentration-time curve from zero to infinity, and CL(CR) suggests that the clearance of PPX also includes non-renal elimination. However, in two uraemic patients, there was increased exposure to PPX resulting from low non-renal elimination. CONCLUSIONS: The pharmacokinetics of ropivacaine is not affected by renal failure. Although the renal clearance of PPX correlates with CL(CR), non-renal elimination seems to compensate for reduced renal clearance in most patients. PPX may accumulate in plasma during long-term postoperative infusions, in particular in patients with co-existing low non-renal elimination. Systemic toxicity is still unlikely because PPX is markedly less toxic than ropivacaine.

Genes for epidermal growth factor receptor, transforming growth factor alpha, and epidermal growth factor and their expression in human gliomas in vivo.

Anomalies of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene, including amplification, rearrangement, and overexpression, have been reported in malignant human gliomas in vivo. In vitro glioma cell lines coexpress EGFR and at least one of its ligands, transforming growth factor alpha, suggesting the existence of an autocrine growth stimulatory loop. We have studied the tumor tissue from 62 human glioma patients and examined the structure and quantity of the EGFR gene and its transcripts, as well as the quantity of the receptor protein. In addition we have examined the genes and transcripts coding for the pre-pro forms of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha, the two endogenous EGFR ligands. EGFR gene amplification was detected in 16 of the 32 malignancy grade IV gliomas (glioblastoma) studied (50%), but only in 1 of 30 gliomas of lesser malignancy grade (I-III). All tumors with an amplified gene overexpressed EGFR mRNA. More than one-half (62.5%) of the glioblastomas with amplified EGFR genes also showed coamplification of rearranged EGFR genes and concomitant expression of aberrant mRNA species. Overexpression, without gene amplification, was observed in some of the low grade gliomas, and aberrant EGFR transcripts were also seen in some cases without gene amplification or detected gene rearrangements. mRNA expression for one or both of the pre-pro forms of the ligands was detected in every tumor studied. Thus, several mechanisms for the activation of the EGFR-mediated growth stimulating pathway are possible in human gliomas in vivo: expression of a structurally altered receptor that may have escaped normal control mechanisms; and/or auto-, juxta-, or paracrine stimulating mechanisms involving coexpression of receptor and ligands, with or without overexpression of the receptor.

Altered subcellular location of an activated and tumour-associated epidermal growth factor receptor.

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is a membrane bound tyrosine kinase whose activity is initiated by ligand binding. The malignant brain tumour glioblastoma frequently shows amplification and rearrangements of the EGF receptor gene that are associated with the synthesis of a constitutively activated tyrosine kinase, lacking amino acids 6-273 near the protein's N-terminus. When expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, this mutant receptor (p140EGFR) displays ligand-independent tyrosine kinase activity, stimulates DNA synthesis, and promotes cell proliferation. Here, we investigate the subcellular location of p140EGFR in CHO cell transfectants as well as in human glioblastoma tumours. p140EGFR had an intracellular location that contrasted sharply with the plasma membrane location of the wild-type EGF receptor. Endoglycosidase H sensitivity analysis and the pattern of p140EGFR immunoreactivity suggested that the aberrant tyrosine kinase resided primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum. The half-life of p140EGFR in the endoplasmic reticulum was extended several-fold over that of the ligand-activated wild-type receptor. The altered subcellular location of p140EGFR in combination with its prolonged half-life suggest that this activated tyrosine kinase may escape the regulatory mechanisms utilized for the attenuation of wild-type receptor signaling. Therefore, the previously reported growth stimulatory property of the ligand-independent p140EGFR may be attributed to a sustained tyrosine kinase activity resulting from an altered subcellular location.

Functional characterization of an EGF receptor with a truncated extracellular domain expressed in glioblastomas with EGFR gene amplification.

The most common type of alteration of the epidermal growth factor receptor gene (EGFR) in human glioblastomas results in the synthesis of an aberrant mRNA lacking 801 bases that encode amino acids 6-273 of the receptor's extracellular domain. To study the effects of this mutation on receptor function, we have developed chinese hamster ovary cell transfectants which express the mutant EGF receptor. Comparison of wild-type and mutant receptor properties in this cell host indicates that the truncated receptor does not bind EGF or TGF-alpha and, consequently, DNA synthesis is not stimulated in cultures of mutant transfectants by either grown factor. However, levels of DNA synthesis determined for mutant transfectants in serum-free media are several-fold higher than those determined for corresponding cultures of wild-type transfectants. Western blot analysis with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody indicates that the mutant receptor is constitutively phosphorylated in CHO cells, and the same analysis applied to lysates of glioblastoma biopsies reveals the altered receptor is readily detectable as a phosphotyrosine protein in tumors for which there is evidence of corresponding EGFR gene and transcript alterations. In total, these results indicate that the aberrant EGF receptor synthesized in glioblastomas, and which lacks a portion of the extracellular domain necessary for ligand binding, is an activated tyrosine kinase.

Multiple lipoprotein abnormalities in type I diabetic patients with renal disease.

The aim of this study was to characterize abnormalities of triglyceride-rich apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing lipoproteins in type I diabetic patients with elevated albumin excretion rates (AERs). Sixty-four patients (31 men, 33 women) with normoalbuminuria (AER <20 microg/min), 52 (35 men, 17 women) with microalbuminuria (AER 20-200 microg/min), and 37 (17 men, 20 women) with albuminuria (AER >200 microg/min) and 56 healthy control subjects matched for age and body weight were studied. The major finding was increased mass concentrations of the highly atherogenic intermediate-density lipoprotein fraction in patients with microalbuminuria (P < 0.05) and albuminuria (P < 0.05), compared with those with normoalbuminuria. Triglyceride, free cholesterol, cholesterol ester, and phospholipid concentrations in the VLDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein, and LDL (P < 0.05-0.01), as well as total cholesterol, total triglyceride, and apoB concentrations were higher in patients with renal disease than in those without. Notably, there were no differences between patients with microalbuminuria and albuminuria. Only minor compositional changes could be detected. Postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activities were identical, but hepatic lipase activities were higher in microalbuminuric and albuminuric patients than in normoalbuminuric patients (P < 0.01). LPL activity and VLDL1, (Sf 60-400) (r = -0.528; P < 0.001) and VLDL2 (Sf 20-60) mass concentrations (r = -0.471; P < 0.001) were negatively related. In conclusion, in type I diabetic patients with early renal disease, there are multiple lipoprotein changes, which are potentially atherogenic and may contribute to the excess of macrovascular complications seen in such patients.

Morning or bedtime NPH insulin combined with sulfonylurea in treatment of NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of morning and bedtime NPH insulin combined with daytime sulfonylurea on glycemic control in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients no longer responding to treatment with sulfonylureas alone. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Twenty-four NIDDM patients who fulfilled these criteria were randomized to treatment with Protaphan human insulin in the morning or at bedtime (22 +/- 1 IU) plus 3.5 mg glibenclamide twice a day. RESULTS: Morning and bedtime NPH insulin resulted in equal reduction of HbA1 (from 13.5 +/- 0.3 to 9.4 +/- 0.1 and 9.6 +/- 0.2%, respectively) and mean self-monitored blood glucose (9.2 +/- 0.5 vs. 10.1 +/- 0.4 mM). Bedtime insulin resulted in lower morning blood glucose (7.8 +/- 0.5 vs. 9.1 +/- 0.4 mM; P less than 0.01), whereas morning insulin resulted in lower evening blood glucose (10.1 +/- 0.6 vs 12.1 +/- 0.6 mM, P less than 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Morning and bedtime NPH insulin combined with glibenclamide are equipotent in the treatment of NIDDM patients with secondary failure to sulfonylurea. However, this treatment regimen normalizes blood glucose only in a small group of patients. Therefore, more intensified insulin therapy seems to be required to achieve this goal.

Predictors of progression from normoalbuminuria to microalbuminuria in NIDDM.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to establish the clinical, genetic, metabolic, and immunologic risk factors for the progression of the albumin excretion rate (AER) in normoalbuminuric NIDDM patients. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We recruited 108 NIDDM patients with normal AER after a diabetes duration of 9 years to participate in a prospective 9-year follow-up. In addition to conventional clinical and metabolic variables, we assessed microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy) and macrovascular (coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease) diabetic complications, genetic markers (HLA genotypes), and organ-specific autoimmune markers, including islet cell antibodies. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors of progression of AER. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients (19%) died during the follow-up. There was an overrepresentation of men (61 vs. 39%; P = 0.044) and smokers (55 vs. 27%; P = 0.01) in patients who progressed to micro- or macroalbuminuria versus those who did not progress. In addition, progressors had higher fasting plasma glucose (P = 0.002) and HbA1 (P = 0.0002) concentrations at baseline than did nonprogressors. Neuropathy was more often seen in progressors than in nonprogressors at baseline (53 vs. 16%; P = 0.0004). Frequency of HLA genotypes and autoimmune markers did not differ between progressors and nonprogressors. In a multiple logistic regression analysis, HbA1 (P = 0.0005) and a history of smoking (P = 0.011) were independent predictors of progression of AER. CONCLUSIONS: This study reemphasizes the importance of poor glycemic control and smoking as independent risk factors for progression of AER. Furthermore, development of micro- or macroalbuminuria in NIDDM was associated with neuropathy and male sex.

Effects of weight loss on substrate oxidation, energy expenditure, and insulin sensitivity in obese individuals.

To evaluate the effect of weight loss on substrate oxidation, energy expenditure, and insulin sensitivity we studied 12 obese subjects (body mass index 33.4 +/- 1.1) before and after 6 wk of a very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) with euglycemic insulin clamp in combination with indirect calorimetry. Body weight decreased from 105.3 +/- 4.6 to 94.1 +/- 4.0 kg (P less than 0.001) and fat mass from 47.2 +/- 3.6 to 37.7 +/- 3.0 kg (P less than 0.001). Total glucose disposal during insulin clamp increased from 30.4 +/- 4.3 to 38.4 +/- 4.4 mumol.kg lean body mass (LBM)-1.min-1 (P less than 0.05), insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation from 14.3 +/- 4.6 to 19.1 +/- 1.4 mumol.kg LBM-1.min-1 (P less than 0.05), and non-oxidative glucose metabolism from 16.0 +/- 3.8 to 19.3 +/- 3.6 mumol.kg LBM-1.min-1 (NS). Lipid oxidation decreased in the basal state (P less than 0.05) and during the insulin clamp (P less than 0.01). The basal rate of energy expenditure decreased from 99.1 +/- 4.6 to 88.5 +/- 2.7 kJ.kg LBM-1.min-1 (P less than 0.05) after weight reduction. A reduction in fat mass achieved by VLCD is associated with reduced lipid oxidation and, because of substrate competition, enhanced glucose oxidation. The physiological consequence is improved insulin sensitivity.

Weight loss by very-low-calorie diets: effects on substrate oxidation, energy expenditure, and insulin sensitivity in obese subjects.

Weight reduction improves glucose utilization, but it is not known whether this occurs primarily through the oxidative or nonoxidative pathways of glucose metabolism. We studied this question in 12 obese subjects [whose body mass index (BMI) was 33.4 +/- 1.1 kg/m2)] before and after 6 wk on a very-low-calorie diet of 1680 kJ/d with the euglycemic insulin clamp technique in combination with indirect calorimetry. The mean body weight decreased from 105.3 +/- 4.6 to 94.1 +/- 4.0 kg (P less than 0.001). This was mainly due to a reduction in fat mass from 47.2 +/- 3.6 to 37.7 +/- 3.0 kg (P less than 0.001), whereas lean body mass decreased only slightly (from 58.0 +/- 2.0 to 56.4 +/- 1.8 kg). The basal energy expenditure decreased with weight loss by 10.7%. This was associated with a reduced rate of lipid oxidation (P less than 0.05). Weight loss increased glucose utilization by 26%, primarily by enhancing insulin-stimulated glucose oxidation (P less than 0.05), whereas the effect on nonoxidative glucose metabolism was less pronounced (P greater than 0.05). Substantial weight loss increases glucose utilization by enhancing glucose oxidation.

Characteristics of non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients with secondary failure to oral antidiabetic therapy.

PURPOSE: Secondary failure to treatment with oral antidiabetic agents frequently occurs in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. In the search for causes of such failures, we examined patient- and disease-related factors in nonresponders and in responders to treatment with oral antidiabetic agents. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of three groups: (1) 34 nonresponders to treatment with sulfonylureas; (2) 25 patients who still responded to treatment with sulfonylureas; and (3) 10 age-matched healthy control subjects. In addition to patient-related factors such as adherence to diet and knowledge of diabetes, we examined insulin response to a test meal and hepatic and peripheral insulin sensitivity during a euglycemic insulin clamp in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of [3H-3-]glucose. RESULTS: Patient-related factors such as daily nutrient intake, activity score, knowledge of diabetes, and "stress level" were similar in both groups. However, nonresponders had a higher rate of basal hepatic glucose production (4.60 +/- 0.14 versus 3.63 +/- 0.26 mg/minute/kg of lean body weight; p less than 0.001), which was less suppressed by euglycemic hyperinsulinemia (about 100 microU/mL) than was that of the responders (p less than 0.001). In addition, total insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism was reduced (5.07 +/- 0.22 versus 7.09 +/- 0.56 mg/kg.LBM.minute; p less than 0.001), and this was mainly accounted for by a reduction in non-oxidative glucose metabolism (glycogen synthesis and anaerobic glycolysis) (1.78 +/- 0.22 versus 3.54 +/- 0.49 mg/kg.LBM.minute; p less than 0.001). The severity of hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance correlated with the plasma glucose concentration but was unrelated to insulin secretion. In a multiple linear regression analysis, glucose overproduction in the liver (26.1%), impaired peripheral glucose metabolism (17.3%), and insulin deficiency (12.6%) could explain only 56% of the causes of secondary drug failure. CONCLUSION: Secondary failure to treatment with oral hypoglycemic agents is determined by the disease itself rather than by patient-related factors. Treatment of secondary drug failure should therefore aim at ameliorating both hepatic and peripheral insulin resistance.

Mechanisms of insulin resistance after kidney transplantation.

In order to study the effect of corticosteroids on energy metabolism in immunosuppressed patients after kidney transplantation, we have examined glucose utilization, energy expenditure, and lean body mass in 10 kidney-transplanted patients receiving steroids (methylprednisolone 8.2 +/- 1.5 mg/day) and in 10 healthy age- and weight-matched control subjects. Glucose utilization was measured during euglycemic insulin clamp in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of [3H-3]-glucose, while beta-cell function was measured during a hyperglycemic clamp. The kidney-transplanted patients were resistant to the glucoregulatory effect of insulin, as demonstrated by a 25% reduction in total glucose disposal compared to control subjects. This defect was almost completely accounted for by a defect in storage of glucose as glycogen (3.3 +/- 0.5 vs. 5.0 +/- 0.5 mg/kg LBM min; P less than 0.05). The reduction in nonoxidative glucose disposal was associated with reduced lean body mass and incapacity to release energy as heat after infusion of insulin, i.e. thermogenic defect. In contrast, oxidation of glucose and lipids was not influenced by steroid therapy. Furthermore, suppression of hepatic glucose production was normal, and insulin secretion was normally enhanced in relation to the degree of insulin resistance in the steroid-treated patients. In conclusion, steroid-induced insulin resistance in kidney-transplanted patients is due to alterations in the nonoxidative pathway of glucose metabolism. These findings raise the question of whether steroid therapy directly influences glycogen synthase in man.

Insulin resistance and insulin deficiency in the pathogenesis of posttransplantation diabetes in man.

Although steroids can induce insulin resistance, it is not known whether additional defects in insulin secretion are necessary for the development of diabetes. To address this question, we measured insulin sensitivity (euglycemic insulin clamp in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of tritiated glucose) and insulin secretion (hyperglycemic clamp) in three groups of subjects: (1) 10 kidney transplant patients with normal oral glucose tolerance, (2) 14 patients who developed diabetes after kidney transplantation, and (3) 10 healthy controls. Glucose utilization, primarily storage of glucose as glycogen, was reduced by 34% in kidney transplant patients with normal glucose tolerance when compared with healthy control subjects (18.2 +/- 2.9 vs. 27.5 +/- 2.7 microM/L; P less than 0.05). Insulin secretion was normal in relation to the degree of insulin resistance in transplanted non-diabetic patients, thus maintaining a normal oral glucose tolerance. Development of transplantation diabetes was associated with only minor further deterioration of glucose storage (14.7 +/- 2.7 microM/L; P less than 0.001 vs. control subjects), whereas first-phase, second-phase, and glucagon-stimulated insulin secretion measured during hyperglycemic clamping (incremental area under the insulin curve 287 +/- 120, 1275 +/- 419, and 3515 +/- 922 pM) became impaired as compared with nondiabetic kidney transplant patients (769 +/- 216, 3084 +/- 545, and 6293 +/- 533 pM; P less than 0.05). We conclude that both insulin resistance and insulin deficiency are necessary for the development of diabetes in kidney transplant patients.

The effect of (steroid) immunosuppression on skeletal muscle glycogen metabolism in patients after kidney transplantation.

To examine the mechanisms by which immunosuppression by steroids impairs glycogen synthesis in human skeletal muscle, we measured glycogen synthase protein content and activity in muscle samples from 14 patients receiving corticosteroid therapy after kidney transplantation and in 20 healthy control subjects. A percutaneous muscle sample was taken before and at the end of a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic insulin clamp. Insulin-stimulated glucose disposal was reduced by 33% in kidney transplant patients compared with healthy controls (33.8 +/- 4.2 vs. 50.5 +/- 2.7 mumol (kg LBM)-1 min-1; P<0.01), primarily due to a decrease in nonoxidative glucose metabolism (14.2 +/- 3.3 vs. 32.3 +/- 2.7 mumol (kg LBM)-1 min-1; P<0.001). Glycogen synthase activity measured at both 0.1 mmol/L (17.6 +/- 2.6 vs. 24.0 +/- 2.2 nmol min-1 mg protein-1; P<0.05), and at 10 mmol/L glucose 6-phosphate (24.1 +/- 3.5 vs. 33.7 +- 2.4 nmol min-1 mg protein-1; P<0.05) and glycogen synthase protein concentrations (8.8 +/- 1.8 vs. 18.9 +/- 1.9 relative units per ng DNA; P<0.01) were lower in kidney transplant patients compared with controls. Glycogen synthase protein correlated with nonoxidative glucose metabolism (r=0.42; P=0.04). Alpha-actinin (used as a control of general protein degradation) was lower in kidney transplant patients compared with controls (4.4 +/- 0.8 vs. 9.6 +/- 1.1 cpm/ng DNA; P<0.01). In conclusion, corticosteroids cause insulin resistance, which correlates with impaired activation of glycogen synthase and decreased enzyme protein content. The decrease in glycogen synthase protein may reflect increased degradation rather than a defect in translation.

Effects of GABA agonists on body temperature regulation in GABA(B(1))-/- mice.

1. Activation of GABA(B) receptors evokes hypothermia in wildtype (GABA(B(1))+/+) but not in GABA(B) receptor knockout (GABA(B(1))-/-) mice. The aim of the present study was to determine the hypothermic and behavioural effects of the putative GABA(B) receptor agonist gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), and of the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol. In addition, basal body temperature was determined in GABA(B(1))+/+, GABA(B(1))+/- and GABA(B(1))-/- mice. 2. GABA(B(1))-/- mice were generated by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Correct gene targeting was assessed by Southern blotting, PCR and Western blotting. GABA(B) receptor-binding sites were quantified with radioligand binding. Measurement of body temperature was done using subcutaneous temperature-sensitive chips, and behavioural changes after drug administration were scored according to a semiquantitative scale. 3. GABA(B(1))-/- mice had a short lifespan, probably caused by generalised seizure activity. No histopathological or blood chemistry changes were seen, but the expression of GABA(B(2)) receptor protein was below the detection limit in brains from GABA(B(1))-/- mice, in the absence of changes in mRNA levels. 4. GABA(B) receptor-binding sites were absent in brain membranes from GABA(B(1))-/- mice. 5. GABA(B(1))-/- mice were hypothermic by approximately 1 degrees C compared to GABA(B(1))+/+ and GABA(B(1))+/- mice. 6. Injection of baclofen (9.6 mg kg-1) produced a large reduction in body temperature and behavioural effects in GABA(B(1))+/+ and in GABA(B(1))+/- mice, but GABA(B(1))-/- mice were unaffected. The same pattern was seen after administration of GHB (400 mg kg-1). The GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol (2 mg kg-1), on the other hand, produced a more pronounced hypothermia in GABA(B(1))-/-mice. In GABA(B(1))+/+ and GABA(B(1))+/- mice, muscimol induced sedation and reduced locomotor activity. However, when given to GABA(B(1))-/- mice, muscimol triggered periods of intense jumping and wild running. 7. It is concluded that hypothermia should be added to the characteristics of the GABAB(1)-/-phenotype. Using this model, GHB was shown to be a selective GABAB receptor agonist. In addition, GABAB(1)-/- mice are hypersensitive to GABAA receptor stimulation, indicating that GABAB tone normally balances GABAA-mediated effects.

Intron-mediated expression of the human neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor.

The Neuropeptide Y (NPY) family of neuropeptides exert their function through a family of heptahelical G-protein coupled receptors regulating essential physiological processes. A 97 base pair intron (intron IV) intervenes the coding sequence of the human NPY Y1 receptor (hY1) gene and was found frequently retained at variable levels in poly A+ mRNA isolated from multiple human tissues. When included in hY1 expression vectors, either in its natural position or 5' of the hY1 cDNA, intron IV mediated a significant increase of both hY1 mRNA and corresponding functional receptor protein in transfected mammalian cells, implying an in vivo regulatory function of the endogenous intron. Our results further indicate that the nuclear history of the hY1 pre-mRNA influence ectopic hY1 production through post-transcriptional mechanisms and argues against intron IV acting as a transcriptional enhancer as well as the possibility that a putative hY1 related 5TM accessory protein encoded by the non-spliced hY1 mRNA would facilitate hY1 production on a post-translational level.

Reversal of steroid-induced insulin resistance by a nicotinic-acid derivative in man.

A recent report suggested that the glucose-free fatty acid (FFA) cycle may contribute to steroid-induced insulin resistance in rats, and that glucose tolerance could be restored to normal when FFA levels were lowered with nicotinic acid. To test this hypothesis in man, we measured insulin sensitivity (by euglycemic insulin clamp in combination with indirect calorimetry and infusion of tritiated glucose) before and after short-term administration of a nicotinic-acid derivative (Acipimox) in 10 steroid-treated, kidney transplant patients with insulin resistance. Thirty-five healthy subjects served as controls. Six of them received Acipimox. Total body glucose metabolism was reduced in steroid-treated patients compared with control subjects (41.7 +/- 3.3 v 50.0 +/- 2.2 mumol/kg lean body mass [LBM].min, P less than .05). The reduction in insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was mainly due to an impairment in nonoxidative glucose metabolism (primarily glucose storage as glycogen) (18.3 +/- 2.8 v 27.2 +/- 2.2 mumol/kg LBM.min, P less than .01). Acipimox lowered basal FFA concentrations (from 672 +/- 63 to 114 +/- 11 mumol/L, P less than .05) and the rate of lipid oxidation measured in the basal state (1.5 +/- 0.2 to 0.6 +/- 0.1 mumol/kg LBM.min, P less than .01) and during the clamp (0.7 +/- 0.2 to 0.03 +/- 0.2 mumol/kg LBM.min, P less than .05). In addition, Acipimox administration normalized total glucose disposal (to 54.4 +/- 4.4 mumol/kg LBM.min), mainly due to enhanced nonoxidative glucose metabolism (to 28.9 +/- 3.9 mumol/kg LBM.min) in steroid-treated patients (both P less than .05 v before Acipimox).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Fuel metabolism in anorexia nervosa and simple obesity.

To examine insulin sensitivity and the relative contribution of different fuels to energy metabolism in anorexia nervosa and obesity, we measured oxidation (indirect calorimetry) of glucose, lipids, and proteins in the basal state and during an insulin clamp (+45 mU/m2.min) in 11 women with anorexia nervosa (age, 25 +/- 3 years; body mass index [BMI], 13.6 +/- 0.4 kg/m2; fat mass, 15.7% +/- 1.6%), eight obese women (age, 31 +/- 3; BMI 36.0 +/- 1.5; fat mass, 47.1% +/- 1.9%), and eight controls (age, 26 +/- 3; BMI, 21.8 +/- 0.9; fat mass, 25.7% +/- 3.6%). Expressed per lean body mass, (LBM), glucose disposal was equally reduced in anorectics (7.53 +/- 0.62 mg/kg LBM.min) and obese (6.80 +/- 1.07 mg/kg LBM.min) compared with controls (10.64 +/- 0.69 mg/kg LBM.min; P less than .01). The reduction in glucose disposal in anorectics was primarily due to a significant (P less than .01) reduction in glucose storage, while glucose oxidation was normal. In obese women, both storage and oxidation of glucose were reduced compared with controls (P less than .01). Basal energy expenditure was similar in anorectic, obese, and control subjects (20.6 +/- 1.00, 23.7 +/- 0.56, 23.2 +/- 1.36 cal/kg LBM.min, respectively). However, the contribution of glucose, lipids, and proteins to basal energy expenditure differed between anorectic (62%, 16%, 22%), obese (26%, 58%, 16%), and control (30%, 54%, 16%) subjects (P less than .05 v all). In conclusion, in anorexia nervosa, insulin stimulates glucose oxidation more than storage. In obesity, both components of insulin-stimulated glucose metabolism are impaired.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Attenuation of hypercholesterolemia and hyperglycemia in ob/ob mice by NPY Y2 receptor ablation.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a 36 amino acid peptide well known for its role in regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. It has previously been shown that the NPY Y2 receptor is required for a full biological response to leptin in the central nervous system. We have examined the impact of this receptor on plasma levels of lipid and cholesterol in wild type and obese (ob/ob) mice. The results show that an absence of Y2 in female mice has no effect on cholesterol level in normal lean mice but profoundly decreases serum cholesterol and glucose levels in ob/ob mice. We conclude that NPY, interacting with the Y2 receptor, participates in cholesterol and glucose homeostasis of obese mice.