[Effects and mechanism of testosterone on the production of inflammatory cytokines and glucose uptake in co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophage and 3T3-L1 adipocytes].

Objective: To investigate the effects of testosterone (T) on inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1) production, insulin sensitivity of adipocyte and changes of macrophage phenotypes in indirect co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were induced to mature in Transwell lower chamber, and then co-cultured with RAW264.7 macrophages in the upper chambers for 72 hours. Testosterone 10 µmol/L was added into indirect co-culture for 24 h. ELISA was used to testing IL-6, MCP-1 concentrations in supernatant. Western blot was used to detecting the phosphorylation of NF kappa B, ERK1/2, and theexpression of CD16/32 and CD206. Glucose transport was assessed by[3H]2-deoxy glucose uptake in adipocytes. Results: Testosterone enhanced inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1) production in indirect co-culture of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and RAW264.7 macrophages, promoted the activation of ERK1/2 and nuclear factor kappa B p65, and inhibited glucose uptake in adipocytes. Testosterone facilitated the production of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages. The above effects of testosterone can be completely reversed by PDTC, and can be partly reversed by PD98059 (70%-90%). Conclusion: NF kappa B and ERK1/2 could be the key proteins for testosterone to promote the production of inflammatory factors, to lead to insulin resistance, and to make macrophages differentiate to pro-inflammatory phenotypes in co-culture of RAW264.7 macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Second amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation in Cu(60)Ti(20)Zr(20) bulk metallic glass.

The second amorphous-to-crystalline phase transformation in Cu(60)Ti(20)Zr(20) bulk metallic glass was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and x-ray diffractometry. The difference of the Gibbs free energies between the amorphous phase and the crystalline products during the transformation is estimated to be about 2.46 kJ mol(-1) at 753 K, much smaller than the 61 kJ mol(-1) obtained assuming that it is a polymorphic transformation. It was revealed that the phase transformation occurs through a eutectic crystallization of Cu(51)Zr(14) and Cu(2)TiZr, having an effective activation energy of the order of 400 kJ mol(-1). The average Avrami exponent n is about 2.0, indicating that the crystallization is diffusion controlled.