Potential use of glycogen level as biomarker of chemical stress in Biomphalaria glabrata.

Biomphalaria glabrata, a freshwater gastropod mollusc, was tested as biondicator organism to assess cadmium, lead and arsenic exposure using acute laboratory bioassays. Modifications of glycogen levels were measured in different anatomical regions of B. glabrata in order to test the usefulness of this parameter as a general biomarker of chemical stress.

Effects of chronic undernutrition on glucose uptake and glucose transporter proteins in rat heart.

The high energy demands of myocardium are met through the metabolism of lipids and glucose. Importantly, enhanced glucose utilization rates are crucial adaptations of the cardiac cell to some pathological conditions, such as hypertrophy and ischemia, but the effects of undernutrition on heart glucose metabolism are unknown. Our previous studies have shown that undernutrition increases insulin-induced glucose uptake by skeletal muscle.

Selective uptake of p-borophenylalanine by undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma for boron neutron capture therapy.

Undifferentiated thyroid carcinoma (UTC) lacks an effective treatment. Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is based on the selective uptake of 10B-boronated compounds by some tumors, followed by irradiation with an appropriate neutron beam. The radioactive boron originated (11B) decays releasing 7Li, gamma rays and alpha particles, and these latter will destroy the tumor.

Influence of nicotinamide on the radiosensitivity of normal and goitrous thyroid in the rat.

Radioiodine is used to treat thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism. In order to reduce radiation hazard to the patient and to people in contact with the patient it would be desirable to obtain the same therapeutic effect with lower activities of the radioisotope. This could be achieved by the simultaneous administration of a compound that increases tissue radiosensitivity.

Glucose uptake and glucose transporter proteins in skeletal muscle from undernourished rats.

Undernutrition in rats impairs secretion of insulin but maintains glucose normotolerance, because muscle tissue presents an increased insulin-induced glucose uptake. We studied glucose transporters in gastrocnemius muscles from food-restricted and control anesthetized rats under basal and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic conditions. Muscle membranes were prepared by subcellular fractionation in sucrose gradients.