The immunoglobulin A isotype of the Arabian camel () preserves the dualistic structure of unconventional single-domain and canonical heavy chains.

Introduction: The evolution of adaptive immunity in resulted in the concurrent expression of classic heterotetrameric and unconventional homodimeric heavy chain-only IgG antibodies. Heavy chain-only IgG bears a single variable domain and lacks the constant heavy (C) γ1 domain required for pairing with the light chain. It has not been reported whether this distinctive feature of IgG is also observed in the IgA isotype.

Identification of the tetraspanin CD82 as a new barrier to xenotransplantation.

Significant immunological obstacles are to be negotiated before xenotransplantation becomes a clinical reality. An initial rejection of transplanted vascularized xenograft is attributed to Galα1,3Galβ1,4GlcNAc-R (Galα1,3-Gal)-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Hitherto, no receptor molecule has been identified that could account for Galα1,3-Gal-independent rejection.

Gender dimorphism in aspartame-induced impairment of spatial cognition and insulin sensitivity.

Previous studies have linked aspartame consumption to impaired retention of learned behavior in rodents. Prenatal exposure to aspartame has also been shown to impair odor-associative learning in guinea pigs; and recently, aspartame-fed hyperlipidemic zebrafish exhibited weight gain, hyperglycemia and acute swimming defects. We therefore investigated the effects of chronic lifetime exposure to aspartame, commencing in utero, on changes in blood glucose parameters, spatial learning and memory in C57BL/6J mice.

Nutrigenomics of hepatic steatosis in a feline model: effect of monosodium glutamate, fructose, and Trans-fat feeding.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease begins with a relatively benign hepatic steatosis, often associated with increased adiposity, but may progress to a more severe nonalcoholic steatohepatitis with inflammation. A subset of these patients develops progressive fibrosis and ultimately cirrhosis. Various dietary components have been shown to contribute to the development of liver disease, including fat, sugars, and neonatal treatment with high doses of monosodium glutamate (MSG).

Sex-dimorphism in cardiac nutrigenomics: effect of trans fat and/or monosodium glutamate consumption.

Background: A paucity of information on biological sex-specific differences in cardiac gene expression in response to diet has prompted this present nutrigenomics investigation. Sexual dimorphism exists in the physiological and transcriptional response to diet, particularly in response to high-fat feeding. Consumption of Trans-fatty acids (TFA) has been linked to substantially increased risk of heart disease, in which sexual dimorphism is apparent, with males suffering a higher disease rate.

Effect of trans-fat, fructose and monosodium glutamate feeding on feline weight gain, adiposity, insulin sensitivity, adipokine and lipid profile.

The incidence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing, and new experimental models are required to investigate the diverse aspects of these polygenic diseases, which are intimately linked in terms of aetiology. Feline T2DM has been shown to closely resemble human T2DM in terms of its clinical, pathological and physiological features. Our aim was to develop a feline model of diet-induced weight gain, adiposity and metabolic deregulation, and to examine correlates of weight and body fat change, insulin homeostasis, lipid profile, adipokines and clinical chemistry, in order to study associations which may shed light on the mechanism of diet-induced metabolic dysregulation.

Effect of dietary monosodium glutamate on HFCS-induced hepatic steatosis: expression profiles in the liver and visceral fat.

It has previously been shown that patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) exhibit alterations in both hepatic and adipose tissue metabolism, and the dietary factors that contribute to the pathogenesis of NAFLD are likely to be multifactorial. Using C57BL/6J mice, we examined whether chronic exposure to low-dose dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG), high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), or a combination of the two, vs. control would affect metabolism and hepatic and visceral fat gene expression in adult male progeny.

Dietary trans-fat combined with monosodium glutamate induces dyslipidemia and impairs spatial memory.

Aims: Recent evidence suggests that intake of excessive dietary fat, particularly saturated fat and trans-hydrogenated oils (trans-fatty acids: TFA) can impair learning and memory. Central obesity, which can be induced by neonatal injections of monosodium Glutamate (MSG), also impairs learning and memory. To further clarify the effects of dietary fat and MSG, we treated C57BL/6J mice with either a TFA-enriched diet, dietary MSG, or a combination of both and examined serum lipid profile and spatial memory compared to mice fed standard chow.

Diabetes of the liver: the link between nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and HFCS-55.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with obesity and insulin resistance. It is also a predisposing factor for type 2 diabetes. Dietary factors are believed to contribute to all three diseases.

Effect of dietary monosodium glutamate on trans fat-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

The effects of dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG) on trans-fatty acid (TFA)-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are addressed in an animal model. We used Affymetrix microarray analysis to investigate hepatic gene expression and the contribution of visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) to diet-induced NAFLD. Trans-fat feeding increased serum leptin, FFA, HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C), and total cholesterol (T-CHOL) levels, while robustly elevating the expression of genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis, including the transcription factor sterol-regulatory element binding protein 1c.