Insulin resistance/beta-cell function and serum ferritin level in non-diabetic patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

Background/aims: Since impaired glucose tolerance and iron overload are frequently demonstrated in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related liver diseases, in this study we investigated insulin resistance, pancreatic beta-cell function, i.e., insulin secretion, and serum ferritin levels in patients with HCV infection, especially non-diabetic patients.

Effects of nitric oxide on the redox status of liver microsomes-electron spin resonance monitoring using nitroxide probes.

Nitroxide radicals (nitroxides) are reduced to the corresponding hydroxylamines and lose their electron spin resonance (ESR) signals, but these hydroxylamines are easily reoxidized to nitroxides and regain the ESR signals. In the present study the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the reduction/oxidation (redox) status of hepatic microsomes were investigated by ESR spectroscopy using nitroxide probes. Rat hepatic microsomes were treated with an NO donor, NOR3 or NOC7, and then labeled with a water-soluble nitroxide, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-4-hydroxy-1-piperidinyloxy (Tempol), or a lipid-soluble nitroxide, 5-doxyl stearic acid (5-DSA).