Integration of patient-oriented research principles in health institutions: a scoping review protocol.

Introduction: In 2011, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research launched a Strategy for Patient-Oriented Research (POR) for healthcare and academic institutions to increase patient participation in health research. POR considers patients and caregivers as partners with scientific investigators, healthcare professionals and administrative decision-makers. As POR becomes a standard worldwide, the how-to, practical aspects of POR integration in healthcare institutions remain uncharted territory.

All-trans retinoic acid stimulates gene expression of the cardioprotective natriuretic peptide system and prevents fibrosis and apoptosis in cardiomyocytes of obese ob/ob mice.

In hypertensive rodents, retinoic acid (RA) prevents adverse cardiac remodelling and improves myocardial infarction outcome, but its role in obesity-related changes of cardiac tissue are unclear. We hypothesized that all-trans RA (ATRA) treatment will improve the cardioprotective oxytocin-natriuretic peptides (OT-NP) system, preventing apoptosis and collagen accumulation in hearts of ob/ob mice, a mouse model of obesity and insulin resistance. Female 9-week-old B6.

Retinoids and retinoid-metabolic gene expression in mouse adipose tissues.

Vitamin A and its analogs (retinoids) regulate adipocyte differentiation. Recent investigations have demonstrated a relationship among retinoids, retinoid-binding-protein 4 (RBP4) synthesized in adipose tissues, and insulin-resistance status. In this study, we measured retinoid levels and analyzed the expression of retinoid homeostatic genes associated with retinol uptake, esterification, oxidation, and catabolism in subcutaneous (Sc) and visceral (Vis) mouse fat tissues.

All-trans retinoic acid lowers serum retinol-binding protein 4 concentrations and increases insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice.

Recent investigations have demonstrated that elevated serum retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) secreted from adipose tissue plays a role in the development of systemic insulin resistance, and lowering RBP4 improves insulin sensitivity. These observations provide a rationale for the development of new antidiabetic agents aimed at reducing serum RBP4 concentrations. In this study, we sought to determine whether retinoic acid (RA) administration decreases serum RBP4 and suppresses insulin resistance in diabetic ob/ob mice.

Role of vitamin A in determining nephron mass and possible relationship to hypertension.

Vitamin A (retinol) and its analogs (retinoids) are important regulators of cell proliferation, differentiation, immune function, and apoptosis. The kidneys are target organs for vitamin A action. Retinoic acid (RA), a vitamin A metabolite, is involved in embryonic kidney patterning through the control of receptor tyrosine kinase expression, which modulates ureteric bud branching morphogenesis.