Extract Reduces Insulin Resistance by Enhancing AMPK Activation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

is used widely in oriental medicine to treat obesity and metabolic diseases. Bioactive substances extracted from have been shown to ameliorate dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes in mice via multiple 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-mediated mechanisms; however, further studies are required to elucidate the anti-obesity effects of in vivo. In this study, we demonstrated that 3% extract powder (GEP) can be used to prevent obesity and insulin resistance in a mouse model.

Gadolinium Complex of 1,4,7,10-Tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-trisacetic Acid (DO3A)-Ethoxybenzyl (EOB) Conjugate as a New Macrocyclic Hepatobiliary MRI Contrast Agent.

We report the synthesis of a macrocyclic Gd chelate based on a 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-trisacetic acid (DO3A) coordinationn cage bearing an ethoxybenzyl (EOB) moiety and discuss its use as a T hepatobiliary magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. The new macrocyclic liver agent shows high chelation stability and high r relaxivity compared with linear-type Gd chelates, which are the current clinically approved liver agents. Our macrocyclic, liver-specific Gd chelate was evaluated in vivo through biodistribution analysis and liver MRI, which demonstrated its high tumor detection sensitivity and suggested that the new Gd complex is a promising contrast agent for liver cancer imaging.

Manganese Complex of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)-Benzothiazole Aniline (BTA) Conjugate as a Potential Liver-Targeting MRI Contrast Agent.

A novel manganese(II) complex based on an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) coordination cage bearing a benzothiazole aniline (BTA) moiety (Mn-EDTA-BTA) was designed and synthesized for use as a liver-specific MRI contrast agent with high chelation stability. In addition to forming a hydrophilic, stable complex with Mn, this new Mn chelate was rapidly taken up by liver hepatocytes and excreted by the kidneys and biliary system. The kinetic inertness and R relaxivity of the complex were much higher than those of mangafodipir trisodium (MnDPDP), a clinically approved liver-specific MRI contrast agent.