Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) as a new target for obesity treatment.

Recently, we serendipitously discovered that mice with the deficiency of the enzyme prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) have elevated alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) levels which lead to decreased food intake and weight loss. This suggests that PRCP is an endogenous inactivator of alpha-MSH and an appetite stimulant. Since a modest weight loss can have the most profound influence on reducing cardiovascular risk factors, the inhibitors of PRCP would be emerging as a possible alternative for pharmacotherapy in high-risk patients with obesity and obesity-related disorders.

Effect of aldonic acids on the uptake of ascorbic acid by 3T3 mouse fibroblasts and human T lymphoma cells.

1. Previously, we reported that calcium L-threonate caused a dose-related increase in uptake of ascorbic acid (AA) by human T-lymphoma cells. Preincubation of mouse fibroblasts with calcium L-threonate also resulted in a dose-related augmentation in uptake of AA as compared to non-treated controls.

The effects of various levels of ascorbic acid on the response of the ODS rat to trimethyltin.

The effects of trimethyltin (TMT) on behavioral and histological parameters were investigated in rats maintained on low, mid, and high levels of ascorbic acid (AA). Male osteogenic disorder Shionogi (ODS) rats were used. Like man, ODS rats are unable to synthesize AA.

Effects of d-alpha-tocopherol supplementation on experimentally induced primate atherosclerosis.

Prevention and regression of induced atherosclerosis by d-alpha-tocopherol was investigated in 24 male M. fascicularis. One group received a basal diet, while three others consumed an atherogenic diet.

Inhibition of arylsulfatase B by ascorbic acid.

One hypothesis for atherosclerotic lesion formation is the response to injury hypothesis. If catabolism of the ground substance of the intima of blood vessels is viewed as an injury, then inhibition of this catabolism could lead to a decrease in atherosclerotic lesions. Arylsulfatase B catalyses the desulfation of glycosaminoglycans in the catabolism of the intimal ground substance.