Leptin enhances endothelial cell differentiation and angiogenesis in murine embryonic stem cells.

The metabolic regulation of leptin and its angiogenic effects have been well characterized in adult mammals. However, the role of leptin in the differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) to endothelial cells (ECs) has not been characterized. We hypothesized that leptin enhances the generation of ECs derived from ESCs and, in this way, promotes angiogenesis in embryonic vessels.

Human cardiosphere-derived cells from advanced heart failure patients exhibit augmented functional potency in myocardial repair.

Objectives: This study sought to compare the regenerative potency of cells derived from healthy and diseased human hearts.

Background: Results from pre-clinical studies and the CADUCEUS (CArdiosphere-Derived aUtologous stem CElls to reverse ventricUlar dySfunction) trial support the notion that cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) from normal and recently infarcted hearts are capable of regenerating healthy heart tissue after myocardial infarction (MI). It is unknown whether CDCs derived from advanced heart failure (HF) patients retain the same regenerative potency.

Hyperhomocysteinemia induces insulin resistance in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

Association between elevated plasma homocysteine levels and insulin resistance has been reported, however, whether hyperhomocysteinemia induces insulin resistance or it is actually hyperinsulinemia that causes elevated plasma homocysteine levels, the direction of causality in this association is not still clear. In this study, we examined the hypothesis that hyperhomocysteinemia may cause hyperinsulinemia leading to insulin resistance in rats. Plasma glucose, insulin and total homocysteine concentrations were determined in two groups of male Sprague-Dawley rats, a test group that administered with homocysteine and a control group with no homocysteine in daily drinking water before and after 50 days.