Brewery and liquid manure wastewaters as potential feedstocks for microbial fuel cells: a performance study.

This work aims at the comparison of the electrical and chemical performance of microbial fuel cells (MFCs) fed with several types of brewery and manure industrial wastewaters. Experiments were conducted in a single-cell MFC with the cathode exposed to air operated in batch and fed-batch modes. In fed-batch mode, after 4 days of operation, a standard MFC was refilled with crude wastewater to regenerate the biofilm and recreate initial feeding conditions. Brewery wastewater (CV1) mixed with pig-farm liquid manure (PU sample) gave the highest voltage (199.8 mV) and power density (340 mW/m3) outputs than non-mixed brewery waste water. Also, coulombic efficiency is much larger in the mixture (11%) than in the others (2-3%). However, in terms of chemical oxygen demand removal, the performance showed to be poorer (53%) for the mixed sample than in the pure brewery sample (93%). Fed-batch operation showed to be a good alternate for quasi-continuous operation, with equivalent electrical and chemical yields as compared with normal batchwise operation.

Efectividad del tratamiento no farmacológico para el insomnio crónico de pacientes polimedicados / Effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatment for chronic insomnia in polypharmacy patients

Objetivo Analizar la efectividad de las medidas de higiene del sueño y la terapia conductual basada en el control de estímulos para el insomnio crónico de pacientes polimedicados. Diseño Estudio de intervención sin grupo control tipo antes-después. Emplazamiento Centro de Salud Molino de la Vega (Huelva). Participantes Se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 235 pacientes polimedicados. La intervención se realizó en 28 pacientes que cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Intervención Enseñar las medidas de higiene del sueño y la terapia de control de estímulos en sesiones semanales individuales de 30min de duración durante 6 semanas. Intervención Seguimiento con los diarios de sueño y el cuestionario de calidad del sueño de Pittsburg. Mediciones Variables dependientes: calidad del sueño, latencia y tiempo total de sueño, tiempo despierto después de iniciado el sueño. Resultados Se incluyeron 196 pacientes. 65,8% mujeres, edad media de 68,5 años (DE=9,3). El 68,9% duermen mal. Peor calidad del sueño en los que consumen hipnóticos (p=0,001) y en las mujeres (p=0,003). Resultados 28 pacientes iniciaron la intervención, hubo 3 pérdidas. Resultados Tras la misma mejoran todos los parámetros. La puntuación en el cuestionario de calidad del sueño de Pittsburg disminuye en promedio 4,8 puntos (IC95% 3,9–5,6); la latencia en 23,4min (IC95%: 15,2–31,5) y el tiempo despierto después de iniciado el sueño en 34,9 (IC95%: 18,1–51,8); el tiempo total de sueño se incrementa en 71,6min (IC95%: 42,6–100,5). Conclusiones Las medidas en higiene del sueño y el control de estímulos han sido efectivas en pacientes polimedicados con insomnio crónico (AU)

Objective To examine the effectiveness of sleep hygiene education and behavioral therapy based on stimulus control for chronic insomnia in patients using many drugs. Design Quasi-experimental study without before-after control group. Setting Molino de la Vega Health Care Center (Huelva). Participants A random sample of 235 patients using five or more drugs. A total of 28 participants fulfilled the conditions for intervention. Intervention Teaching sleep hygiene and stimulus control for six 30-minute sessions. Follow-up through sleep diaries and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used for monitoring. Measurements The main outcome measures were sleep quality, sleep-onset latency (SL), total sleep time (TST) and total wake time (TWT). Results 196 patients were included in the study (65.8% female, mean age 68.5 (SD 9.3) years. 68.9% of the patients reported sleep problems. Patients using hypnotic drugs (p=0.001) and women (p=0.003) had worse sleep quality. Of the 28 participants enrolled in the intervention, 3 dropped out. The intervention had improved all outcome measures. PSQI score decreased an average of 4.8 points (95% CI: 3.9–5.6); SL decreased 23.4 minutes (95% CI: 15.2–31.5) and TWT 34.9 (95% CI: 18.1–51.8); TST showed an increase in 71.6 minutes (95% CI: 42.6–100.5). Conclusions Sleep hygiene education and stimulus control have been effective in patients with chronic primary insomnia and polypharmacy (AU)

Efectividad del tratamiento no farmacológico para el insomnio crónico de pacientes polimedicados / Effectiveness of non-pharmacological treatment for chronic insomnia in polypharmacy patients

Objetivo: Analizar la efectividad de las medidas de higiene del sueño y la terapia conductual basada en el control de estímulos para el insomnio crónico de pacientes polimedicados. Diseño. Estudio de intervención sin grupo control tipo antes-después. Emplazamiento: Centro de Salud Molino de la Vega (Huelva). Participantes: Se seleccionó una muestra aleatoria de 235 pacientes polimedicados. La intervención se realizó en 28 pacientes que cumplían los criterios de inclusión. Intervención: Enseñar las medidas de higiene del sueño y la terapia de control de estímulos en sesiones semanales individuales de 30min de duración durante 6 semanas. Intervención: Seguimiento con los diarios de sueño y el cuestionario de calidad del sueño de Pittsburg. Mediciones Variables dependientes: calidad del sueño, latencia y tiempo total de sueño, tiempo despierto después de iniciado el sueño. Resultados: Se incluyeron 196 pacientes. 65,8% mujeres, edad media de 68,5 años (DE=9,3). El 68,9% duermen mal. Peor calidad del sueño en los que consumen hipnóticos (p=0,001) y en las mujeres (p=0,003). Resultados: 28 pacientes iniciaron la intervención, hubo 3 pérdidas. Resultados: Tras la misma mejoran todos los parámetros. La puntuación en el cuestionario de calidad del sueño de Pittsburg disminuye en promedio 4,8 puntos (IC95% 3,9–5,6); la latencia en 23,4min (IC95%: 15,2–31,5) y el tiempo despierto después de iniciado el sueño en 34,9 (IC95%: 18,1–51,8); el tiempo total de sueño se incrementa en 71,6min (IC95%: 42,6–100,5). Conclusiones: Las medidas en higiene del sueño y el control de estímulos han sido efectivas en pacientes polimedicados con insomnio crónico (AU)

Objective: To examine the effectiveness of sleep hygiene education and behavioral therapy based on stimulus control for chronic insomnia in patients using many drugs. DesignQuasi-experimental study without before-after control group. Setting Molino de la Vega Health Care Center (Huelva). Participants: A random sample of 235 patients using five or more drugs. A total of 28 participants fulfilled the conditions for intervention. Intervention Teaching sleep hygiene and stimulus control for six 30-minute sessions. Follow-up through sleep diaries and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used for monitoring. Measurements: The main outcome measures were sleep quality, sleep-onset latency (SL), total sleep time (TST) and total wake time (TWT).Results196 patients were included in the study (65.8% female, mean age 68.5 (SD 9.3) years. 68.9% of the patients reported sleep problems. Patients using hypnotic drugs (p=0.001) and women (p=0.003) had worse sleep quality. Of the 28 participants enrolled in the intervention, 3 dropped out. The intervention had improved all outcome measures. PSQI score decreased an average of 4.8 points (95% CI: 3.9–5.6); SL decreased 23.4 minutes (95% CI: 15.2–31.5) and TWT 34.9 (95% CI: 18.1–51.8); TST showed an increase in 71.6 minutes (95% CI: 42.6–100.5). Conclusions: Sleep hygiene education and stimulus control have been effective in patients with chronic primary insomnia and polypharmacy (AU)

Site-specific modulation of white adipose tissue lipid metabolism by oleoyl-estrone and/or rosiglitazone in overweight rats.

In spite of their shared decrease of insulin resistance, oleoyl-estrone [OE], and rosiglitazone show diverging effects on body fat mass and distribution. In this study, we studied whether their effects on white adipose tissue [WAT] were due to a shared or synergistic mechanism of action. Combined effects of OE and rosiglitazone 10-day treatment on WAT lipid, cell mass/number, and the expression of key lipid metabolism and regulatory agents were studied using an adult male overweight rat model. OE decreased WAT cell mass and lipids, parameters not changed by rosiglitazone. The effects of OE and--specially--rosiglitazone were more marked in small-cell WAT (i.e., mesenteric and subcutaneous sites) than in larger cell WAT (retroperitoneal and perigonadal). OE decreased the expressions in WAT of lipogenic enzymes, lipoprotein lipase, PPARs, and SREBP1c, effects symmetrically reversed by rosiglitazone. OE showed no effects on hormone-sensitive lipase expression, which was increased by rosiglitazone. OE strongly inhibited WAT lipogenesis, leaving lipolysis unchanged, thus unbalancing (and helping mobilize) WAT lipid stores. Rosiglitazone acted practically only on small-cell WAT sites, where it favored lipogenesis, but also stimulated lipolysis, which resulted in limited changes in lipid stores. Combination of OE and rosiglitazone induced less fat loss than OE alone.

Influence of oleoyl-estrone treatment on circulating testosterone. Role of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzymes.

Overweight male rats received oral oleoyl-estrone (OE) for 10 days, and were compared with controls. The expression of 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17betaHSDH) isoenzymes, and other proteins related to sex hormone metabolism, were analyzed in testicle, liver, adrenals and two white adipose sites: subcutaneous inguinal and epididymal pads using a semiquantitative RT-PCR method. Androstenedione, testosterone, estrone and estradiol levels were measured by HPLC-MS/MS. Isoenzyme expressions were grouped according to their main physiological function (oxidative or reductive) and preferred substrate (androgen or estrogen). As expected, testicle was the main site for synthesis of testosterone and estradiol, and the liver the main organ oxidizing them to androstenedione and estrone. Overall oxidative capacity was 6.5-fold higher than the reductive, and estradiol synthesis and oxidation potential were higher than for testosterone. OE decreased serum androgens, and increased estrone, but not estradiol. This was due to decreased testicle ability to produce testosterone, because of smaller size and decreased 17betaHSDH3 expression, but also to lower availability of precursors. High estrone availability (from OE hydrolysis) does not translate into higher estradiol because of decreased testicle reductive 17betaHSDH expression and decreased aromatase. In consequence, we can assume that OE effects on androgens, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis are limited to testicles.

Fermentation of Opuntia stricta (Haw.) fruits for betalains concentration.

Fermentation of juice and homogenized fruits of Opuntia stricta fruits has been developed and optimized. The aim was to obtain the red food colorant betanin from prickly pear, at high concentration and low viscosity. Among three strains assayed, Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. bayanus AWRI 796 has been the optimum for this process. The optimum temperature value was found to be 35 degrees C for both sugar consumption and pigment preservation. After fermentation, biomass and residual vegetal tissue were discarded by centrifugation. Supernatant was concentrated under vacuum. Therefore, liquid concentrated betanin was obtained, with low viscosity and being sugar free. Besides, bioethanol was obtained as byproduct. Characteristics of the final product obtained were pH 3.41, 5.2 degrees Brix, 9.65 g/L betanin, color strength of 10.8, and viscosity of 52.5 cP. These values are better than obtained by other procedures.

Intestinal oleoyl-estrone esterase activity in the Wistar rat.

Low-dose oral oleoyl-estrone (OE) (i.e. in dairy products) is hydrolysed to estrone, which promotes growth and fat deposition. However, pharmacological doses of OE are absorbed largely intact and elicit fat losses. Thus, in order to find out how the intestine handles OE, esterase activity (at pH 5, 7 or 8) was measured in rat stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, large intestine, and liver using OE as substrate. There were no sex-related differences. Pure pancreatic cholesterol-ester esterase hydrolysed OE even in the absence of taurocholate. The differences in the pH-related activity distribution pattern and selective inhibition and taurocholate dependence show that, in addition to the luminal (i.e. pancreatic) cholesterol-ester esterase, other esterases hydrolyse OE; these combined activities may be sufficient to rapidly dispose of pharmacological doses of OE. Female rats received a tritium-labeled OE gavage; the luminal and tissue label content were measured up to 24 h. The high retention of label in the stomach suggest that this may be a significant site of absorption. The rapid decrease of label in intestinal lumen (and rat tissues) shortly after the administration, hint at rapid absorption and disposal. In conclusion, the high OE-esterase activity and early absorption of OE are indicative of upper gastro-intestinal tract absorption skipping most of the medium-tract esterases.

In the rat, estrone sulphate is the main serum metabolite of oral oleoyl-estrone.

Two different oral doses of oleoyl-estrone: 1 and 10 nmol/g a day were given once to male Wistar rats. The serum levels of free estrone, estrone sulphate, estradiol, and acyl-estrone were measured at intervals up to 72 h after the gavage. Oleoyl-estrone was rapidly absorbed; with the 1 nmol/g dose no changes were observed in plasma acyl-estrone but levels increased dramatically with 10 nmol/g, peaking at 6 h; high acyl-estrone levels were maintained up to 24 h, returning to normalcy at 48 h. With the 10 nmol/g dose, free estrone at most doubled its levels but estrone sulphate concentrations rose by one order of magnitude; in both cases, the increases soon (2 h) reached a plateau that was maintained for almost two days. Estradiol levels remained unchanged except for a transient peak at 2 h at the 10 nmol/g dose. The relationship between free estrone and its sulphate was linear, and those of estrone and estrone sulphate versus acyl-estrone showed the existence of an upper serum concentration limit for both molecules. The results hint at estrone sulphate being an important metabolite of oleoyl-estrone disposal, confirm the limited estrogenic response to oleoyl-estrone administration and agree with a rapid absorption and disposal of oleoyl-estrone, nevertheless maintaining high circulating levels of the ester for a time after its oral administration.

The conjugated linoleic acid ester of estrone induces the mobilisation of fat in male Wistar rats.

We investigated whether the substitution of the fatty acid moiety in oleoyl-estrone (OE) by conjugated linoleic acid, i.e. conjugated linoleoyl-estrone (cLE) may help improve the antiobesity effects of OE. Overweight (17% fat) male rats were treated for 10 days with oral OE or cLE (10 nmol/g per day) and compared with controls receiving only the oily vehicle. Rat weight and food intake were measured daily. After killing by decapitation, body composition and main plasma parameters were analysed. cLE induced marked decreases in body weight, energy intake, carcass energy and body lipid, whilst sparing protein; the effects were not significantly different from those obtained with OE. Energy expenditure was unchanged, but energy intake decreased to 46% (OE) or 55% (cLE) of controls; whole body energy decreased by 29% (OE) or 24% (cLE) in the 10-day period studied. Plasma composition showed almost identical decreases in glucose and cholesterol elicited by OE and cLE, with a more marked decrease in triacylglycerols by OE and no effect of either on NEFA. OE decreased leptin and insulin levels, but the effects of cLE were more marked on both, with similar decreases in adiponectin. It can be concluded that cLE is a new drug of the OE family; its overall effects on energy were akin to those of OE, albeit fractionally less effective at the single dose tested. However, this lower potency on lipid mobilisation does not affect other effects, such as powerful hypercholesterolemic effects or the modulation of adiponectin. And last, but not least, cLE seems to produce a more marked decrease in leptin and insulin than OE, which may reflect a coordinate action of the conjugated linoleic acid moiety and the "OE effect" on target tissues. If that were the case, cLE may constitute an improvement over OE in its action on insulin resistance.

Short-term oral oleoyl-estrone treatment increases plasma cholesterol turnover in the rat.

OBJECTIVE: Oral treatment with oleoyl-estrone induces the loss of body fat and improvement of insulin resistance. Since cholesterol levels are deeply affected by oleoyl-estrone, we investigated here whether short-term treatment affected cholesterol turnover and overall metabolite changes. DESIGN: Wistar female rats received a single oral dose of 10 mumol/kg oleoyl-estrone in 0.2 ml of sunflower oil. Groups of animals were killed at timed intervals and blood samples were taken. In a second experiment series, rats had implanted carotid and jugular cannulas and were given a single gavage of oleoyl-estrone. These rats were used for the measurement of the cholesterol turnover rate. MEASUREMENTS: Body weight change and food intake: Glucose, total and HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, 3-hydroxybutyrate, nonesterified fatty acids, insulin, HOMA score in the rats of the first series. Cholesterol: Cholesterol pool changes and cholesterol turnover rates in the rats of the second series. RESULTS: OE induced early effects, decreasing food intake, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol levels, and increasing insulin sensitivity (HOMA score). OE also increased cholesteryl-ester turnover, and decreased circulating total cholesterol, especially esterified cholesterol pools. CONCLUSIONS: The role of early changes in insulin sensitivity induced by oral OE cannot explain per se the deep changes in cholesterol handling, essentially a consequence of accelerated lipoprotein turnover. However, the increase in cholesteryl-ester turnover observed with OE treatment may be, at least in part, a consequence of the decrease in insulin resistance. The compounded effect of increased insulin sensitivity and accelerated lipoprotein turnover may help explain the early and marked hypocholesterolaemic effects of OE.

Technical note: Measurement of total estrone content in foods. Application to dairy products.

Estrone is a powerful growth-inducing hormone that is present in milk, mainly in the form of fatty acid esters, at concentrations that promote growth in experimental animals. We present here a method useful for the measurement of this natural hormone in foods and applied it to several common dairy products. Samples were frozen, finely powdered, and lyophilized then extracted with trichloromethane/methanol; the dry extract was saponified with potassium hydroxide. The free estrone evolved was extracted with ethyl acetate and was used for the estimation of total estrone content through radioimmunoassay. Application of the method to dairy products showed high relative levels of total estrone (essentially acyl-estrone) in milk, in the range of 1 microM, which were halved in skimmed milk. Free estrone levels were much lower, in the nanomolar range. A large proportion of estrone esters was present in all other dairy products, fairly correlated with their fat content. The amount of estrone carried by milk is well within the range, where its intake may exert a physiological response in the sucklings for which it is provided. These growth-inducing and energy expenditure-lowering effects may affect humans ingesting significant amounts of dairy products.

[The Spanish version of the German health-related quality of life questionnaire for children and adolescents: the Kindl]. / Versión española del cuestionario alemán de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en población infantil y de adolescentes: el Kindl.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain a Spanish version of the Kindl semantically and culturally equivalent to the original German version and to test its psychometric properties. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The methodology used in the adaptation process was based on the forward-backward translation method. To assess the psychometric properties of the Spanish Kindl, the pilot test of the project "Screening for and promotion of HRQL in children and adolescents: a European Public Health perspective (Kidscreen)" it was include in. A classroom was selected for each educational level (8-16 years old) from three schools in Gerona and Barcelona. The Spanish Kindl was administered twice, one week apart. Internal consistency was assessed by computing Cronbach alpha and test-retest stability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Analysis of variance was performed according to age, sex, type of school, and self-perceived health status. RESULTS: Half of the items (12/24) required minor changes during the adaptation process. The response rate was 91 % (n = 447). Internal consistency was acceptable for most domains (alpha range = 0.40-0.88), as was test-retest stability (ICC range = 0.52-0.80). Girls and older teenagers scored worse in most domains (p < 0.01). No differences were found by type of school. CONCLUSIONS: The Spanish version of the Kindl showed adequate reliability and validity coefficients and represents a new HRQL instrument that can be applied in pediatric clinical practice and public health.

Versión española del cuestionario alemán de calidad de vida relacionada con la salud en población infantil y de adolescentes: el Kindl / The Spanish version of the German health-related quality of life questionnaire for children and adolescents: the Kindl

Objetivos: Obtener una versión española del cuestionario Kindl semántica y culturalmente equivalente a la versión original alemana, y evaluar sus propiedades psicométricas. Material y métodos: Para la adaptación se siguió la metodología de traducción directa e inversa. Para la evaluación de las propiedades psicométricas se realizó el análisis de la fase piloto del proyecto "Medida de la CVRS en niños/as y adolescentes. Una perspectiva de promoción de la salud y de salud pública europeas (Kidscreen)". Se seleccionó un aula de cada nivel educativo desde los 8 a los 16 años en 3 colegios de Girona y Barcelona. Se administró el Kindl 2 veces, con una semana de diferencia. La consistencia interna se analizó mediante alfas de Cronbach, y el test-retest mediante coeficientes de correlación intraclase (CCI). Se realizó un análisis de la varianza según la edad, el sexo, el tipo de colegio y la salud autopercibida. Resultados: En la mitad de los ítems (12/24) se necesitaron cambios mínimos durante la fase de adaptación. La proporción de respuesta fue de 91 por ciento (n=447). La consistencia interna fue aceptable en la mayoría de dimensiones (rango alfa=0,40-0,88), así como la estabilidad test-retest (rango CCI=0,52-0,80). Las chicas y los de más edad puntuaron peor en la mayoría de dimensiones (p < 0,01). No se encontraron diferencias en las puntuaciones según la titularidad del colegio. Conclusiones: La versión española del Kindl presentó coeficientes de fiabilidad y validez aceptables y permite disponer de un nuevo instrumento para aplicar en la práctica clínica pediátrica y en salud pública (AU)

[Measuring health-related quality of life in children and adolescents: preliminary validation and reliability of the Spanish version of the KINDL questionnaire]. / Medición de la calidad de vida en niños y adolescentes: comprobación preliminar de la validez y fiabilidad de la versión española del cuestionario KINDL.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain a first Spanish version of the KINDL questionnaire idiomatic and culturally equivalent to the German original version, and then to evaluate its psychometric properties in a sample of healthy children/adolescents 8-16 years old, and their parents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: 2 public schools of Asturias of similar sociodemographic conditions. PARTICIPANTS: 243 children 8-16 year-old, and 153 parents were investigated. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: HRQoL evaluated through the generic questionnaire KINDL. An external assessment through the parents was made as well. The psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the questionnaire were investigated and results on HRQoL are presented for different ages and gender in the Spanish sample. RESULTS: 6 items (6/24) needed successive translations and conceptual discussion during the phase of idiomatic adaptation. The factorial analysis confirmed the validity of construction of the instrument for most scales. The internal consistency, measured by alpha Cronbach coefficent, was good for the total of the questionnaire (>0.70) and acceptable in most of the scales (>0.50). Only the school scale for adolescents shows very poor reliability. Females and children with higher age scored lower in most of the investigated dimensions (P<.01). CONCLUSIONS: The first Spanish version of the Kindl showed acceptable reliability and validity. In spite of the punctual inadequacies found in this first step of the investigation, the results constitute an important starting point to work further on the KINDL as an HRQoL instrument--in Spanish language--to measure subjective well-being in children.

Costes calidad de vida-artritis reumatoide. Estudio económico y de la calidad de vida de los pacientes con artritis reumatoide en España. Resultados preliminares / The costs and quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis study in Spain. Preliminary results

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Strain variability in Zucker rats affects their response to oral oleoyl-estrone.

There is a considerable variability in the responses of Zucker fa/fa rats in metabolic studies, which could not be solely attributed to the leprfa mutation. In order to fathom the extent of this variability, we compared the response to oleoyl-estrone (OE), a powerful lipid-mobilising agent, of two strains of Zucker lean and obese rats: Harlan (H) and Charles River (CR). Rats were given an oral gavage of 10 micromol/day/kg of OE in sunflower oil, and were compared with oil-receiving controls. Body composition, energy and water balances, and plasma parameters were studied after 10 days of treatment. H rats showed a higher water turnover than CR rats; OE treatment reduced water intake, partly compensated by metabolic water, and decreased stool water. H rats accrued more cholesterol than CR animals, which showed higher cholesterolaemia. OE facilitated cholesterol disposal in lean (CR and H) and H obese rats. CR rats had higher body and liver lipids than H animals. No differences in energy balance were found. Insulin decrease following OE treatment was greater in lean CR than in H rats, but this trend was reversed in the obese rats, lacking effective responses to leptin. The red cell glucose compartment was smaller in H than in CR rats; the higher insulin levels in H rats may be partly responsible for that difference. Obese H maintained glycaemia (and liver glycogen) with higher insulin levels than CR animals. The extent to which the leprfa mutation affects the responses of Zucker fa/fa rats could not be singled out unless the metabolic environment of the batch used is known. This variability must be taken into account when developing a metabolic or hormonal study in which this model of obesity is used.

Effect of oral oleoyl-estrone on the energy balance of diabetic rats.

We studied the effects of a 10-day oral 10 micromol/kg oleoyl-estrone (OE) treatment on streptozotocin-diabetic Wistar, Goto-Kakizaki and control Wistar rats. Streptozotocin rats lost more than half the energy ingested as urine glucose. Oleoyl-estrone induced the loss of body weight (mainly body fat) in all groups. Energy expenditure was similar in the three groups of rats studied. Water turnover was deranged in streptozotocin rats, which spent 14% of energy available heating the water drunk. Body lipids were highest in Goto-Kakizaki; lipid levels in streptozotocin rats were very low. Oleoyl-estrone decreased body lipid content in Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki; oleoyl-estrone decreased triacylglycerols (44% in Wistar and Goto-Kakizaki and 22% in streptozotocin rats) and phospholipids but did not affect body cholesterol. Oleoyl-estrone decreased insulin and leptin, did not affect blood glucose but decreased plasma glucose in all groups. There were no changes in plasma triacylglycerols or fatty acids, but HDL, LDL and cholesterol decreased in all groups. The same effects of OE on insulin, plasma (but not blood) glucose and leptin were observed in both models, but the presence of insulin seems to be needed for OE to normalise glycaemia and to facilitate the uptake and utilisation of glucose by tissues. This different handling of glucose and triacylglycerol energy accounts for the disparate effects of OE on energy balance. The main conclusion of this study is that OE function as a lipid-mobilising hormone is dependent on the mass of reserves available, which in turn is closely related to insulin status. Lack of insulin thus results in limited OE effects, and insulin resistance does not prevent or limit the effects of OE on energy homeostasis or the mobilisation of fat.