Hepatic steatosis rather than visceral adiposity is more closely associated with insulin resistance in the early stage of obesity.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the specific relationship between hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in the early stage of obesity. Among general health examinees who received an ultrasound scanning, 131 subjects without fatty liver (non-FL group) and 142 subjects with fatty liver (FL group) were selected so that both groups were matched for age, sex, body mass index, and % body fat. The FL group was then subdivided into 2 groups according to the severity of steatosis by ultrasound.

Identification and functional analysis of novel inactivating thyrotropin receptor mutations in patients with thyrotropin resistance.

Objective: We identified and analyzed novel thyrotropin (TSH) receptor mutations in three Japanese families with resistance to TSH.

Design: The TSH receptor gene was sequenced and the mutations were determined. The mutant TSH receptors were transfected into COS-7 cells, and their functions were analyzed.

Unique regulation of thyroid hormone metabolism during fasting in the house musk shrew (Suncus murinus, Insectivora: Soricidae).

The active hormone, 3,3',5-triiodothyronine (T3) is derived from thyroxine (T4) by the action of iodothyronine 5'-deiodinases (5'-D). By now two types of 5'-D have been identified; Type 1 (D1) and type 2 (D2). A relative contribution of these isotypes to the circulating T3 levels in the human remains to be determined whereas a number of reports indicate that, under physiological conditions, D1 plays a major role in maintaining circulating T3 levels in rodents.

Association of antipituitary antibody and type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase antibody in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Antipituitary antibody (APA) has been reported to be detected in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease. Type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) is expressed in both pituitary gland and thyroid gland. We studied the association of APA and D2 peptide antibody in patients with autoimmune thyroid disease.

Regulation of iodothyronine deiodinase and roles of thyroid hormones in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells.

Thyroid hormones have been reported to have significant effects on the peripheral vascular system, including relaxation of vascular smooth muscle cells and prevention of atherosclerosis. To exert its biological activity, thyroxine (T4) needs to be converted to 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) by type 1 and type 2 iodothyronine deiodinases. We have previously identified type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) expression in cultured human coronary artery smooth muscle cells (hCASMCs).

Studies on the constituents of Juglans species. I. Structural determination of (4S)- and (4R)-4-hydroxy-alpha-tetralone derivatives from the fruit of Juglans mandshurica MAXIM. var. sieboldiana MAKINO.

Four enantiomerically pure new alpha-tetralones, (4S)- and (4R)-5-hydroxy-4-methoxy-alpha-tetralones and (4S)- and (4R)-5,8-dihydroxy-4-methoxy-alpha-tetralones were isolated, together with five known ones, (4S)- and (4R)-4,8-dihydroxy-alpha-tetralones, (4S)-4,8-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-alpha-tetralone and (4S)- and (4R)-4-hydroxy-alpha-tetralones, from the fruit of Juglans mandshurica MAXIM. var. sieboldiana MAKINO.

Expression of type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase in human osteoblast is stimulated by thyrotropin.

Thyroid hormones play important roles in bone growth, development, and turnover. To exert its biological activity, T(4) needs to be converted to T(3) by iodothyronine deiodinase. In human thyroid gland as well as rat brown adipose tissue, type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase (D2) expression is regulated by a TSH receptor-cAMP-mediated mechanism.

KL-6-producing invasive thymoma.

We report a patient with KL-6-producing invasive thymoma. A 58-year-old man was admitted complaining of dyspnea and fatigability. Computed tomography of the chest revealed interstitial pneumonia and an anterior mediastinal tumor.