Kinetic analysis of D-Alanine upon oral intake in humans.

D-Alanine, a rare enantiomer of alanine, can potentially alleviate the worsening of viral infections and maintain circadian rhythm. This study aimed to analyze the kinetics of D-Alanine upon oral intake. Five healthy volunteers were administered D-Alanine as a single oral dose at 11,236 or 33,708 µmoL (1-3 g).

d -Alanine Affects the Circadian Clock to Regulate Glucose Metabolism in the Kidney.

Key Points: d-Alanine affects the circadian clock to regulate gluconeogenesis in the kidney. d-Alanine itself has a clear intrinsic circadian rhythm, which is regulated by urinary excretion, and acts on the circadian rhythm. d-Alanine is a signal activator for circadian rhythm and gluconeogenesis through circadian transcriptional network.

Intra-Brain and Plasma Levels of L-Serine Are Associated with Cognitive Status in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Introduction: The number of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide. Cognitive impairment is one of the comorbidities of CKD. With the increased number of aged population, novel biomarkers of impaired cognitive function are required.

Increased levels of oral Streptococcus-derived D-alanine in patients with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus.

The number of patients on hemodialysis is increasing globally; diabetes mellitus (DM) complications is the major cause of hemodialysis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The D-amino acid (AA) profile is altered in patients with CKD; however, it has not been studied in patients with CKD and DM. Furthermore, bacteria responsible for altering the D-AA profile are not well understood.

Identification of Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients Undergoing Kidney Biopsy through Blood and Urinary Profiles of d-Serine.

Background: The diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN), the major cause of ESKD, requires kidney biopsy. d-Serine, present only in trace amounts in humans, is a biomarker for kidney diseases and shows potential to distinguish the origin of kidney diseases, whose diagnoses usually require kidney biopsy. We extended this concept and examined the potential of d-serine in the diagnosis of DN.

d-Serine Mediates Cellular Proliferation for Kidney Remodeling.

Background: d-serine, a long-term undetected enantiomer of serine, is a biomarker that reflects kidney function and disease activity. The physiologic functions of d-serine are unclear.

Methods: The dynamics of d-serine were assessed by measuring d-serine in human samples of living kidney donors using two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography, and by autoradiographic studies in mice.

-Glutamate is metabolized in the heart mitochondria.

-Amino acids are enantiomers of L-amino acids and have recently been recognized as biomarkers and bioactive substances in mammals, including humans. In the present study, we investigated functions of the novel mammalian mitochondrial protein 9030617O03Rik and showed decreased expression under conditions of heart failure. Genomic sequence analyses showed partial homology with a bacterial aspartate/glutamate/hydantoin racemase.

In vitro characterization and engraftment of adipocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells and embryonic stem cells.

Human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) and embryonic stem (ES) cells can differentiate into a variety of cell types. We reported on adipogenic potential of human iPS and ES cells in vitro. In the present study, we investigate the survival and maintenance of adipocytes differentiated in vitro from human iPS and ES cells after transplantation.