Effects of Flavanone Derivatives on Adipocyte Differentiation and Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Cells.

Flavanones, a class of flavonoids, are abundant in fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They are known to have several biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities, but their effects on obesity remain unclear. Obesity is closely associated with adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in adipose tissue.

The role of circadian clock gene Arntl in the winter depression-like behavior in melatonin-proficient female CBA/N mice.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression, is a subtype of depression typically manifesting in winter. Typical symptoms of SAD, such as an increased need for sleep and carbohydrate cravings associated with increased appetite and weight, are distinct from those of major depression, and the underlying mechanisms of SAD remain unclear. Although laboratory mice are generally considered non-seasonal animals, we observed depression-like behaviors in melatonin-proficient female CBA/N mice maintained under winter-mimicking conditions.

Arntl deficiency in myeloid cells reduces neutrophil recruitment and delays skeletal muscle repair.

After a muscle injury, a process comprising inflammation, repair, and regeneration must occur in a time-sensitive manner for skeletal muscle to be adequately repaired and regenerated. This complex process is assumed to be controlled by various myeloid cell types, including monocytes and macrophages, though the mechanism is not fully understood. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like (Arntl or Bmal1) is a transcription factor that controls the circadian rhythm and has been implicated in regulating myeloid cell functions.

Adolescence as a critical period for nandrolone-induced muscular strength in relation to abuse liability, alone and in conjunction with morphine, using accumbal dopamine efflux in freely moving rats.

Nandrolone, an anabolic androgenic steroid, is included in the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency. Drugs of abuse activate brain dopamine neurons and nandrolone has been suspected of inducing dependence. Accordingly, possible critical periods for the effects of nandrolone on muscular strength and dopaminergic activity have been investigated, including the effects of chronically administered nandrolone alone and on morphine-induced increases in dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens.

Bmal1 Regulates Prostate Growth via Cell-Cycle Modulation.

The circadian clock system exists in most organs and regulates diverse physiological processes, including growth. Here, we used a prostate-specific Bmal1-knockout mouse model (pBmal1 KO: ; ) and immortalized human prostate cells (RWPE-1 and WPMY-1) to elucidate the role of the peripheral prostate clock on prostate growth. Bmal1 KO resulted in significantly decreased ventral and dorsolateral lobes with less Ki-67-positive epithelial cells than the controls.