Thioredoxin Interacting Protein Expressed in Osteoblasts Mediates the Anti-Proliferative Effects of High Glucose and Modulates the Expression of Osteocalcin.

Background: Hyperglycemia is associated with impaired bone health in patients with diabetes mellitus. Although a direct detrimental effect of hyperglycemia on the bone has been previously reported, the specific molecular mediator(s) responsible for the inhibitory effect of high glucose levels on the bone remains unclear. We hypothesized that thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip), an essential mediator of oxidative stress, is such a mediator.

Intermittent mechanical loading on mouse tibia accelerates longitudinal bone growth by inducing PTHrP expression in the female tibial growth plate.

It is not clear as to whether weight bearing and ambulation may affect bone growth. Our goal was to study the role of mechanical loading (one of the components of ambulation) on endochondral ossification and longitudinal bone growth. Thus, we applied cyclical, biologically relevant strains for a prolonged time period (4 weeks) to one tibia of juvenile mice, while using the contralateral one as an internal control.

A Green Light-Activated Insulin Depot with Ultrafast In Vivo Efficiency in the Subcutaneous Space.

In this work, for the first time, we demonstrate light control of a therapeutic protein's release from a depot in the subcutaneous layer of the skin. The subcutaneous layer is a standard location for therapeutic protein depots due to its large size and ease of access, but prior attempts to utilize this space failed because insufficient light can reach this deeper layer. An analysis of existing biophysical literature suggested that an increase of photoactivation wavelength from 365 to 500 nm could allow an increase of depot irradiation in the subcutaneous by >100-fold.

Selenosugars targeting the infective stage of Trypanosoma brucei with high selectivity.

Earlier evidences showed that diglycosyl diselenides are active against the infective stage of African trypanosomes (top hits IC 0.5 and 1.5 μM) but poorly selective (selectivity index <10).

In vivo variable and multi-day response from an insulin-releasing photoactivated depot.

Previously we have demonstrated that light can be used to control the release of insulin in diabetic animals, followed by a reduction in blood glucose. This is accomplished using a photoactivated depot (PAD) of insulin injected into the skin, and irradiated by a small external LED light source. In this work for the first time we demonstrate dose-response, showing that we can vary insulin release and commensurate blood glucose reduction by varying the amount of light administered.