Preβ1-high-density lipoprotein metabolism is delayed in patients with chronic kidney disease not on hemodialysis.

Background: Preβ1-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is a lipid-poor cholesterol acceptor that is converted to lipid-rich HDL by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). In patients receiving hemodialysis, preβ1-HDL metabolism is hampered even if HDL cholesterol is normal. Hemodialysis may affect preβ1-HDL metabolism by releasing lipases from the vascular wall due to heparin.

Fasting serum free glycerol concentration is a potential surrogate marker of visceral obesity and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged Japanese men.

Background: Triglyceride (TG) is a tri-ester composed of a glycerol and 3 fatty acids. Degradation of TG in adipose tissue is increased in the fasting state but inhibited in the postprandial state. Although insulin suppresses adipose TG degradation, patients with insulin resistance have high concentrations of insulin and free glycerol (FG) in the fasting state.

Hemolysis Is Responsible for Elevation of Serum Iron Concentration After Regular Exercises in Judo Athletes.

Serum iron concentration increases in marathon athletes after running due to mechanical destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis). This study was performed to examine whether serum iron concentration increases after regular Judo exercise, and if so, whether such post-exercise iron increase is caused by hemolysis. We examined biochemical parameters related to red blood cell and iron metabolism in 16 male competitive Judo athletes before and after traditional exercise training composed of basic movements and freestyle matchup.

Changes in apolipoprotein E-containing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) have little impact on HDL-cholesterol measurements using homogeneous assays in normolipidemic and dyslipidemic subjects.

Background: High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) is generally measured using several homogeneous assays. We aimed to clarify whether apolipoprotein E-containing HDL (apoE-HDL) subfractions are altered during storage, and if so, whether such changes affect the HDL-C concentration measured using homogeneous assays.

Methods: We stored serum from normolipidemic (n=32) and dyslipidemic (n=17) subjects at 4°C for up to 7days.

Current smokers with hyperlipidemia lack elevated preβ1-high-density lipoprotein concentrations.

Background: Preβ1-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is an efficient acceptor of cell-derived free cholesterol, which is converted into lipid-rich HDL by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase. Previous studies have shown that preβ1-HDL is significantly higher in individuals with hyperlipidemia. Preβ1-HDL concentrations may be altered in smokers, who are at high risk for atherosclerosis.

Cofilin plays a critical role in IL-8-dependent chemotaxis of neutrophilic HL-60 cells through changes in phosphorylation.

Cofilin is a ubiquitous, actin-binding protein. Only unphosphorylated cofilin binds actin and severs or depolymerizes filamentous actin (F-actin), and the inactive form of cofilin is phosphorylated at Ser 3. We reported recently that cofilin plays a regulatory role in superoxide production and phagocytosis by leukocytes, and in the present study, we investigated the role of cofilin in the chemotaxis of neutrophilic HL-60 cells.

Indirubin, a Chinese anti-leukaemia drug, promotes neutrophilic differentiation of human myelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells.

Indirubin, a purple vegetable dye, is a traditional Chinese medicine for myelocytic leukaemia. Indirubin inhibits cyclin-dependent protein kinases (CDKs) and is present in human urine and serum. When indirubin was present during the neutrophilic differentiation of human myelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells, it augmented superoxide production triggered by opsonized zymosan (OZ) by the terminally differentiated HL-60 cells.

Bisphenol A significantly enhances the neutrophilic differentiation of promyelocytic HL-60 cells.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-known endocrine disruptor. However, little information is available on its immunological effects. To investigate the effect of BPA on leukocyte differentiation, we investigated its action on the neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by dimethylsulfoxide and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 6 days.

Triphenyltin enhances the neutrophilic differentiation of promyelocytic HL-60 cells.

Triphenyltin (TPT) is an environmental endocrine disruptor and toxic substance, but little information is available on its immunological effects. To assess the effect of TPT on leukocyte differentiation, we investigated its effect on the neutrophilic differentiation of HL-60 cells induced by dimethyl sulfoxide and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for 6 days. At a low concentration, 10(-7)M, TPT increased superoxide production by differentiated HL-60 cells stimulated with opsonized zymosan (OZ) by about 45% and increased expression of CD18, a component of the OZ-receptor, by about 90%.

LIM kinase 1 modulates opsonized zymosan-triggered activation of macrophage-like U937 cells. Possible involvement of phosphorylation of cofilin and reorganization of actin cytoskeleton.

We have previously reported that cofilin, an actin-binding protein, plays an important role in phagocyte functions, such as respiratory burst, phagocytosis, and chemotaxis. On the other hand, it was recently found that LIM motif-containing kinase (LIMK) phosphorylates cofilin. In this work, we investigated the roles of LIMK in activated phagocytes.