Nitrate uptake and metabolism in human skeletal muscle cell cultures.

Several studies show that dietary nitrate enhances exercise performance, presumably by increasing muscle blood flow and improving oxygen utilization. These effects are likely mediated by nitrate metabolites, including nitrite and nitric oxide (NO). However, the mechanisms of nitrate production, storage, and metabolism to nitrite and NO in skeletal muscle cells are still unclear.

Human Obesity Associated with an Intronic SNP in the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Locus.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a key role in energy balance. In population studies, SNPs of the BDNF locus have been linked to obesity, but the mechanism by which these variants cause weight gain is unknown. Here, we examined human hypothalamic BDNF expression in association with 44 BDNF SNPs.

Loxapine add-on for adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorders and irritability.

Objectives: Our clinical experience with low dose loxapine (5-15 mg/day) suggests promising efficacy and safety for irritability in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We studied low dose loxapine prospectively in adolescents and adults with ASD and irritability. Additionally, we measured loxapine and metabolite concentrations, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a biomarker of neuromodulation.