Bezafibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist, decreases circulating CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes are proinflammatory cells that produce tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL)-1β. The number of circulating CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes is increased in patients with chronic renal failure or coronary artery disease. We investigated the effect of bezafibrate, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α agonist, on circulating CD14(+)CD16(+) monocytes in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Spontaneous platelet aggregation evaluated by laser light scatter in patients with type 2 diabetes: effects of short-term improved glycemic control and adiponectin.

Spontaneous platelet aggregation (SPA) is enhanced in patients with type 2 diabetes. Adiponectin may inhibit platelet aggregation. The aims of the current study were to identify factors associated with in vitro SPA measured by a laser light scattering method and to investigate the effects of short-term glycemic control and adiponectin on SPA.

Calcineurin-mediated BAD Ser155 dephosphorylation in ammonia-induced apoptosis of cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

We previously reported that ammonia induced apoptosis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons with moderate increases in the intracellular calcium concentration and decreases in phospho-BAD levels. Since this suggested the involvement of calcineurin in the apoptosis, the effects of calcineurin inhibitors, 1 microM cyclosporin A and 1 microM FK506, on the ammonia-induced neuronal apoptosis were tested. Both of the inhibitors abolished the neuronal apoptosis assessed by double staining with Hoechst 33258 and anti-neurofilament antibody, and the ammonia-induced decrease in phospho-BAD Ser(155) level.

GABAC receptor agonist suppressed ammonia-induced apoptosis in cultured rat hippocampal neurons by restoring phosphorylated BAD level.

Ammonia-induced apoptosis and its prevention by GABAC receptor stimulation were examined using primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Ammonia (0.5-5 mm NH4Cl) dose-dependently induced apoptosis in pyramidal cell-like neurons as assayed by double staining with Hoechst 33258 and anti-neurofilament antibody.

Continuous administration of antisense oligonucleotides to c-fos reduced the development of seizure susceptibility after ethacrynic acid-induced seizure in mice.

We previously demonstrated that seizure susceptibility developed by the 14th day post-ethacrynic acid (EA)-induced seizure in mice, with a prolonged increase in the expression of c-fos mRNA in the brain during days 10-14. To examine whether such c-fos increase contributes to the development of seizure susceptibility, we administered antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to c-fos by continuous infusion into the lateral ventricle of mice that had shown a moderate stage of EA seizure, and evaluated the seizure susceptibility to kainic acid (10 mg/kg) on the 14th day. Antisense-infused mice displayed significant reduction of the c-Fos level in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex on the 7th and 14th days, and a significant decrease in seizure severity.

Regulation of the expression of lysyl oxidase mRNA in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelium cells.

Lysyl oxidase, an extracellular amine oxidase, controls the maturation of collagen and elastin. We examined the regulation of lysyl oxidase mRNA in cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in relation to the changes in subretinal fluid transport and phenotype of RPE cells. The level of the mRNA in cells grown on microporous membranes was markedly increased by application of hyperosmotic mannitol solution on the apical side (191% of control), implying that RPE cells express more lysyl oxidase in the condition which may cause the accumulation of subretinal fluid.