Cationic poly-L-lysine dendrimer complexes doxorubicin and delays tumor growth in vitro and in vivo.

We report in this study the complexation of the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) with the novel sixth-generation cationic poly-l-lysine dendrimer (DM) (MW 8149 kDa), which we previously reported to exhibit systemic antiangiogenic activity in tumor-bearing mice. DOX-DM complexation was confirmed by florescence polarization measurement, proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and molecular modeling. Enhanced penetration of DOX-DM (at 1:10 molar ratio), compared to the free DOX, into prostate 3D multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS) was confirmed by confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Reduced glucose transporter GLUT4 in skeletal muscle predicts insulin resistance in non-diabetic chronic heart failure patients independently of body composition.

Background: In chronic heart failure (CHF) skeletal muscle insulin resistance occurs independently of etiology and contributes to impaired energy metabolism. GLUT4, the predominant glucose transporter in the skeletal muscle promotes the rate-limiting step of glucose utilization in skeletal muscle. The significance of skeletal muscle GLUT4 in patients with CHF has not been studied in detail.

Myocardial glucose transport and utilization in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, left ventricular dysfunction, and coronary artery disease.

Objectives: This research was designed to assess the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on myocardial glucose utilization in patients with heart failure secondary to coronary artery disease.

Background: Patients with T2DM and coronary artery disease have an increased morbidity and mortality compared with patients with coronary artery disease without diabetes that may relate to a reduction in the ability of the myocardium to utilize glucose.

Methods: Myocardial blood flow and glucose utilization were assessed during a hyperinsulinemic clamp by 18F-flurodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography in 54 patients (19 with T2DM) with multivessel coronary artery disease and heart failure.