Fructose-Rich Diet Attenuates Stress-Induced Metabolic Disturbances in the Liver of Adult Female Rats.

Background: Both fructose consumption and chronic stress contribute to the development of metabolic disorders. The consequences of such combination are not fully understood.

Objective: We investigated whether fructose supplementation and chronic stress synergistically disturb hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism.

Decreased Glucocorticoid Signaling Potentiates Lipid-Induced Inflammation and Contributes to Insulin Resistance in the Skeletal Muscle of Fructose-Fed Male Rats Exposed to Stress.

The modern lifestyle brings both excessive fructose consumption and daily exposure to stress which could lead to metabolic disturbances and type 2 diabetes. Muscles are important points of glucose and lipid metabolism, with a crucial role in the maintenance of systemic energy homeostasis. We investigated whether 9-week fructose-enriched diet, with and without exposure to 4-week unpredictable stress, disturbs insulin signaling in the skeletal muscle of male rats and evaluated potential contributory roles of muscle lipid metabolism, glucocorticoid signaling and inflammation.

Monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem solar cell with >29% efficiency by enhanced hole extraction.

Tandem solar cells that pair silicon with a metal halide perovskite are a promising option for surpassing the single-cell efficiency limit. We report a monolithic perovskite/silicon tandem with a certified power conversion efficiency of 29.15%.

Fructose Consumption Affects Glucocorticoid Signaling in the Liver of Young Female Rats.

The effects of early-life fructose consumption on hepatic signaling pathways and their relation to the development of metabolic disorders in later life are not fully understood. To investigate whether fructose overconsumption at a young age induces alterations in glucocorticoid signaling that might contribute to development of metabolic disturbances, we analysed glucocorticoid receptor hormone-binding parameters and expression of its target genes involved in gluconeogenesis (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase) and lipid metabolism (lipin-1), as well as redox and inflammatory status in the liver of female rats subjected to a fructose-rich diet immediately after weaning. The fructose diet increased hepatic corticosterone concentration, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 level, glucocorticoid receptor protein level and hormone-binding activity, as well as lipin-1 level.

Chronic Stress Potentiates High Fructose-Induced Lipogenesis in Rat Liver and Kidney.

Scope: Intake of fructose-sweetened beverages and chronic stress (CS) both increase risk of cardiometabolic diseases. The aim is to investigate whether these factors synergistically perturb lipid metabolism in rat liver and kidney.

Methods And Results: Fractional de novo lipogenesis (fDNL), intrahepatic- and intrarenal-triglycerides (IHTG and IRTG), de novo palmitate (DNPalm) content, FA composition, VLDL-TGs kinetics, and key metabolic gene expression at the end of the feeding and non-feeding phases in rats exposed to standard chow diet, chow diet + CS, 20% liquid high-fructose supplementation (HFr), or HFr+CS are measured.

Impact of insulin and glucocorticoid signalling on hepatic glucose homeostasis in the rat exposed to high-fructose diet and chronic stress.

Overconsumption of fructose-enriched beverages and everyday stress are involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders through modulation of hepatic glucose metabolism. The aim of the study was to investigate whether interaction of high-fructose diet and chronic stress alter insulin and glucocorticoid signalling thus affecting hepatic glucose homeostasis. High-fructose diet led to hyperinsulinemia, increased glucose transporter 2 level, elevated protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation, increased glucokinase mRNA and phospho-to-total glycogen synthase kinase 3 ratio and decreased expression of gluconeogenic genes.

Sacral Stress Fractures: A Rare but Curable Cause of Back Pain in Athletes.

Background: Stress fractures of the sacrum are an uncommon cause of low back and buttock pain in athletes. They have been described in a few case reports, with the injury occurring most often in female distance runners. Given the rarity of this condition, there is a general lack of awareness of this injury, which may lead to a missed or delayed diagnosis.

Diagnosing adenomyosis with MRI: a prospective study revisiting the junctional zone thickness cutoff of 12 mm as a diagnostic marker.

Objectives: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of a junctional zone (JZ) thickness of ≥ 12 mm and morphological features of the JZ in MRI in diagnosing adenomyosis in a premenopausal study population.

Methods: This single-center, prospective observational study consecutively enrolled 93 premenopausal women suffering from a benign gynecological condition, from September 2014 to August 2016. Institutional review board approval and written consent were obtained.

Proteomic Analysis of Morphologically Changed Tissues after Prolonged Dexamethasone Treatment.

Prolonged dexamethasone (Dex) administration leads to serious adverse and decrease brain and heart size, muscular atrophy, hemorrhagic liver, and presence of kidney cysts. Herein, we used an untargeted proteomic approach using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for simultaneous identification of changes in proteomes of the major organs in Sprague-Dawley (SD rats post Dex treatment. The comparative and quantitative proteomic analysis of the brain, heart, muscle, liver, and kidney tissues revealed differential expression of proteins ( = 190, 193, 39, 230, and 53, respectively) between Dex-treated and control rats.

Chronic Stress Combined with a Fructose Diet Reduces Hypothalamic Insulin Signaling and Antioxidative Defense in Female Rats.

Background: Increased fructose consumption and chronic exposure to stress have been associated with the development of obesity and insulin resistance. In the hypothalamus, a crossroad of stress responses and energy balance, insulin and glucocorticoids regulate the expression of orexigenic neuropeptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related protein (AgRP), and anorexigenic neuropeptides, proopio-melanocortin (POMC) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART).

Objectives: We investigated whether chronic stress and fructose diet disrupt these hormonal signaling pathways and appetite control in the hypothalamus, contributing to the development of insulin resistance and obesity.

Mif deficiency promotes adiposity in fructose-fed mice.

The macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in inflammation, regulation of energy metabolism and glucocorticoid action. Chronic low-grade inflammation may be caused by fructose intake, contributing to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) dysfunction. Since MIF is a known antagonist of glucocorticoid signaling, and deregulated glucocorticoid signaling can contribute to lipid metabolism disturbances, we hypothesized that altered MIF signaling might underlie fructose-induced adiposity through glucocorticoid action.

Modulation of hepatic inflammation and energy-sensing pathways in the rat liver by high-fructose diet and chronic stress.

Purpose: High-fructose consumption and chronic stress are both associated with metabolic inflammation and insulin resistance. Recently, disturbed activity of energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) was recognized as mediator between nutrient-induced stress and inflammation. Thus, we analyzed the effects of high-fructose diet, alone or in combination with chronic stress, on glucose homeostasis, inflammation and expression of energy sensing proteins in the rat liver.

Involvement of glucocorticoid prereceptor metabolism and signaling in rat visceral adipose tissue lipid metabolism after chronic stress combined with high-fructose diet.

Both fructose overconsumption and increased glucocorticoids secondary to chronic stress may contribute to overall dyslipidemia. In this study we specifically assessed the effects and interactions of dietary fructose and chronic stress on lipid metabolism in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of male Wistar rats. We analyzed the effects of 9-week 20% high fructose diet and 4-week chronic unpredictable stress, separately and in combination, on VAT histology, glucocorticoid prereceptor metabolism, glucocorticoid receptor subcellular redistribution and expression of major metabolic genes.

PTSD and depressive symptoms are linked to DHEAS via personality.

Background: Research results on dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ester (DHEAS) in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are inconsistent. We hypothesized that personality traits could be the confounders of DHEAS levels and disease symptoms, which could in part explain the discrepancy in findings.

Method: This study was a part of a broader project in which simultaneous psychological and biological investigations were carried out in hospital conditions.

Metabolomics Based Profiling of Dexamethasone Side Effects in Rats.

Dexamethasone (Dex) is a synthetic glucocorticoid that has anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant effects and is used in several conditions such as asthma and severe allergy. Patients receiving Dex, either at a high dose or for a long time, might develop several side effects such as hyperglycemia, weight change, or osteoporosis due to its non-selectivity. Herein, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based comprehensive targeted metabolomic profiling as well as radiographic imaging techniques to study the side effects of Dex treatment in rats.

Disturbances of systemic and hippocampal insulin sensitivity in macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) knockout male mice lead to behavioral changes associated with decreased PSA-NCAM levels.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a multifunctional cytokine well known for its role in inflammation enhancement. However, a growing body of evidence is emerging on its role in energy metabolism in insulin sensitive tissues such as hippocampus, a brain region implicated in cognition, learning and memory. We hypothesized that genetic deletion of MIF may result in the specific behavioral changes, which may be linked tо impairments in brain or systemic insulin sensitivity by possible changes of the hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

Enhanced Inflammation without Impairment of Insulin Signaling in the Visceral Adipose Tissue of 5α-Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Animal Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a heterogeneous endocrine and metabolic disorder associated with abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. Since abdominal obesity is characterized by low-grade inflammation, the aim of the study was to investigate whether visceral adipose tissue inflammation linked to abdominal obesity and dyslipidemia could lead to impaired insulin sensitivity in the animal model of polycystic ovary syndrome.Female Wistar rats were treated with nonaromatizable 5α-dihydrotestosterone pellets in order to induce reproductive and metabolic characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Fructose and stress induce opposite effects on lipid metabolism in the visceral adipose tissue of adult female rats through glucocorticoid action.

Purpose: Daily exposure to stress and excessive fructose intake coincides with the growing rate of obesity and related disorders, to which women are more prone than men. Glucocorticoids, the main regulators of energy balance and response to stress, have been associated with the development of metabolic disturbances. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of fructose overconsumption and/or chronic stress on glucocorticoid signalization and lipid metabolism in female rat adipose tissue.

Fructose-enriched diet induces inflammation and reduces antioxidative defense in visceral adipose tissue of young female rats.

Purpose: The consumption of refined, fructose-enriched food continuously increases and has been linked to development of obesity, especially in young population. Low-grade inflammation and increased oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity-related disorders including type 2 diabetes. In this study, we examined alterations in inflammation and antioxidative defense system in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of fructose-fed young female rats, and related them to changes in adiposity and insulin sensitivity.

Return to activity among athletes with a symptomatic bipartite patella: a systematic review.

Background: A bipartite patella is typically rare, but can become symptomatic during overuse activities such as those performed during athletic events. Therefore, this anomaly typically presents in the young, athletic population, often inhibiting athletic activities. Multiple treatment options exist, with nonsurgical management frequently adopted as the initial treatment of choice.

Cardiac Nitric Oxide Synthases and Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase in the Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Induced by Dihydrotestosterone.

Nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase are enzymes essential for regular functioning of the heart. Since both enzymes are under insulin and androgen regulation and since insulin action and androgen level were disturbed in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we hypothesized that cardiac nitric oxide (NO) production and sodium/potassium transport would be deteriorated in PCOS. To test our hypothesis we introduced animal model of PCOS based on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) treatment of female Wistar rats and analyzed protein expression, phosphorylation or subcellular localization of endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS) and alpha subunits of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase in the heart.

Posttraumatic and depressive symptoms in β-endorphin dynamics.

A disturbed beta-endorphin system can be a part of the post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression allostasis. Study subjects (N=392) included those with PTSD and/or (stress-induced) depression, and healthy controls with and without traumas. The aim of the study was to examine the network of relations centered around plasma beta-endorphin.

Ice hockey injuries among United States high school athletes from 2008/2009-2012/2013.

Background: The popularity of ice hockey has grown in recent years and injuries are a concern given the physical nature of the sport. We sought to report the rates, mechanisms, and severity of boys' US high school ice hockey injuries. We hypothesized that body checking would be a major source of injury and that concussions would be common.

Cardiac fatty acid uptake and metabolism in the rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with an altered plasma lipid profile and increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac pathology in PCOS involve changes in expression and subcellular localization of several key proteins involved in cardiac lipid transport and metabolism, such as fatty acid transporter CD36, lipin 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1 (PGC1), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1). We used the animal model of PCOS obtained by treating female rats with dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

The influence of combined oral contraceptives containing drospirenone on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis activity and glucocorticoid receptor expression and function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Objective: Most women with PCOS have increased adrenal androgen production, enhanced peripheral metabolism of cortisol and elevation in urinary excretion of its metabolites. Increased cortisol clearance in PCOS is followed by a compensatory overdrive of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis. We hypothesized that oral contraceptives containing ethinylestradiol and drospirenone (EE-DRSP) could modulate glucocorticoid receptor (GR) expression and function and thus affect HPA axis activity in PCOS patients.