Leptin as a Potential Regulator of FGF21.

Background/aims: Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), a potent metabolic regulator, has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity in animal models of insulin resistance. Several studies have focused on identifying mediators of FGF21 effects. However, the identification of factors involved in FGF21 regulation is far from complete.

Ectopic UCP1 Overexpression in White Adipose Tissue Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Lou/C Rats, a Model of Obesity Resistance.

Brown adipose tissue (BAT), characterized by the presence of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), has been described as metabolically active in humans. Lou/C rats, originating from the Wistar strain, are resistant to obesity. We previously demonstrated that Lou/C animals express UCP1 in beige adipocytes in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), suggesting a role of this protein in processes such as the control of body weight and the observed improved insulin sensitivity.

Divergent effects of oxytocin treatment of obese diabetic mice on adiposity and diabetes.

Oxytocin has been suggested as a novel therapeutic against obesity, because it induces weight loss and improves glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese rodents. A recent clinical pilot study confirmed the oxytocin-induced weight-reducing effect in obese nondiabetic subjects. Nevertheless, the mechanisms involved and the impact on the main comorbidity associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes, are unknown.

Bucky ball organizes germ plasm assembly in zebrafish.

In many animals, gamete formation during embryogenesis is specified by maternal cytoplasmic determinants termed germ plasm. During oogenesis, germ plasm forms a distinct cellular structure such as pole plasm in Drosophila or the Balbiani body, an aggregate of organelles also found in mammals. However, in vertebrates, the key regulators of germ plasm assembly are largely unknown.

Transcession of DNA from bacteria to human cells in culture: a possible role in oncogenesis.

The human organism is continuously in close contact with microorganisms, especially bacteria. In the present work, by means of a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, we looked for the presence of a distinct bacterial gene in human cells. To this end, we cultured a human cell line, HL60, in a supernatant in which bacteria (Bacillus subtilis) had been grown.