Oleic acid in the absence of a PPARγ agonist increases adipogenic gene expression in bovine muscle satellite cells1.

We hypothesized that oleic acid (OA) in the absence of a thiazolidinedione (i.e., a synthetic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ [PPARγ] agonist) would increase adipogenic gene expression in bovine muscle satellite cells (BSC). The BSC were cultured in differentiation medium containing 10 µM ciglitazone (CI), 100 µM OA, or 100 µM OA plus 10 µM CI (CI-OA). Control (CON) BSC were cultured only in differentiation media (containing 2% horse serum). The presence of myogenin, desmin, and paired box 7 proteins was confirmed in the BSC by immunofluorescence staining, demonstrating that we had isolated myogenic cells. The OA BSC had lesser paired box 3 (Pax3) and myogenic differentiation 1 expression but greater Pax7 and mygogenin (MYOG) expression (P < 0.05), than the CON BSC. The CI BSC had greater Pax3, Pax7, and MYOG expression than CON BSC (P < 0.05), suggesting that CI would promote BSC myogenesis under pro-myogenic conditions (i.e., when cultured with horse serum). However, both the OA and CI treatments upregulated the expression of PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα) and C/EBPß, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, lipoprotein lipase, and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 3 gene expression, as well as media adiponectin concentration (P < 0.05). The CI, OA, and CI-OA treatments also increased triacylglycerol and lipid droplet accumulation, in spite of upregulation (relative to CON BSC) of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase alpha-1, perilipin 2 (PLIN2), and PLIN3 in BSC and downregulation of G protein-coupled protein receptor 43, acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 3, and stearoyl-CoA desaturase (P < 0.05). These results indicate that OA in the absence of a synthetic PPARγ agonist can effectively increase adipogenic gene expression in BSC.

Synthesis and Characterization of Magnetic Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Hydrogel Microspheres for the Embolization of Blood Vessel.

GOAL: Vascular embolization has exhibited increasing significance in treatment of terminal cancer. In order to achieve better embolic effects, magnetic polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel microspheres were synthesized for magnetic field-controlled vascular embolization. METHODS: Inverse suspension crosslinking method was adopted to synthesize the magnetic hydrogel microspheres by loading magnetic nanoparticles inside. The magnetic property, CT angiography, drug release, and magnetothermal performance were characterized in vitro, respectively. The fluidity of microspheres was also showed by simulation and experiment in vitro. RESULTS: The microspheres were shown to have capability of drug loading, CT imaging, and magnetothermal behavior. Both the simulated and the experimental results exhibited that the microspheres can be controlled to aggregate in the fluid in the presence of magnetic field. SIGNIFICANCE: The magnetic hydrogel microspheres exhibited the specific fluidity-like iodized oil, but were able to form solid embolus. Because of the advantages of this novel material, it is expected to get extensive application in the clinic embolotherapy.

Time-varied magnetic-field induced monolayer formation and re-aggregation of Au nanoparticles during solvent evaporation.

The self-organization of citrate-capped Au nanoparticles on silicon slide driven by solvent evaporation is carried out under an time-varied magnetic field. The monolayer formation and succedent re-aggregation of Au nanoparticles are observed. The mechanism is proposed based on the interaction between Au colloidal surface and rotating electric field around nanoparticles induced by time-varied magnetic field.