Mitochondrial gene expression and increased oxidative metabolism: role in increased lifespan of fat-specific insulin receptor knock-out mice.

Caloric restriction, leanness and decreased activity of insulin/insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor signaling are associated with increased longevity in a wide range of organisms from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. Fat-specific insulin receptor knock-out (FIRKO) mice represent an interesting dichotomy, with leanness and increased lifespan, despite normal or increased food intake. To determine the mechanisms by which a lack of insulin signaling in adipose tissue might exert this effect, we performed physiological and gene expression studies in FIRKO and control mice as they aged.

Reduced expression of the NADPH oxidase NOX4 is a hallmark of adipocyte differentiation.

Adipocyte differentiation is a complex process regulated among other factors by insulin and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NOX4 is a ROS generating NADPH oxidase enzyme mediating insulin's action in 3T3L1 adipocytes. In the present paper we show that NOX4 is expressed at high levels both in white and brown preadipocytes and that differentiation into adipocytes results in a decrease in their NOX4 mRNA content.

Adipose triglyceride lipase: function, regulation by insulin, and comparison with adiponutrin.

Adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is a recently described adipose-enriched protein with triglyceride-specific lipase activity. ATGL shares the greatest sequence homology with adiponutrin, a nutritionally regulated protein of unclear biological function. Here we present a functional analysis of ATGL and adiponutrin and describe their regulation by insulin.

A clinoptilolite effect on cell media and the consequent effects on tumor cells in vitro.

Clinoptilolite is a nontoxic natural zeolite with properties of an ion-exchanger and adsorbent. Earlier studies showed that clinoptilolite could be an adjuvant in cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to define effects of clinoptilolite in cell media on cell viability and activity of key proteins regulating cell survival, cell division and stress response.

Effect of ferric sorbitol citrate (FSC) administration on NF-kappaB in macrophages and spleen cells of rats.

Interaction of iron metabolism and the immune system is complex and pathological changes in one system affect the other. Ferric sorbitol citrate (FSC), non-toxic compound of ferric ions with sorbitol and citrate. has immunomodulatory effect in treated mice.