scholarly journals Cardiolipin synthesis is required to support human cholesterol biosynthesis from palmitate upon serum removal in Hela cellsThis article is one of a selection of papers published in a special issue celebrating the 125th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Manitoba.

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 813-820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristin D. Hauff ◽  
Seok-Yong Choi ◽  
Michael A. Frohman ◽  
Grant M. Hatch

We examined whether cardiolipin (CL) synthesis was required to support cholesterol (CH) production from palmitate in Hela cells. Knockdown of human cardiolipin synthase-1 (hCLS1) in Hela cells has been shown to reduce CL synthesis. Therefore Hela cells stably expressing shRNA for hCLS1 and mock control cells were incubated for 16 h with [14C(U)]palmitate bound to albumin (1:1 molar ratio) in the absence or presence of serum. Knockdown of hCLS1 in Hela cells resulted in a reduction in [14C(U)]palmitate incorporation into CL and CH. This reduction in [14C(U)]palmitate incorporation into CH was most pronounced during incubation under serum-free conditions. The reduction in [14C(U)]palmitate incorporation into CH was not due to alterations in total uptake of [14C(U)]palmitate into cells or altered palmitate metabolism, since [14C(U)]palmitate incorporation into phosphatidylcholine, the major [14C(U)]palmitate-containing lipid, and its immediate precursor, 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol, were unaffected by hCLS1 knockdown. In addition, knockdown of hCLS1 did not affect CH pool size, indicating that CH catabolism was unaltered. Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase enzyme activity and its mRNA expression were reduced by knockdown of hCLS1 and this was most pronounced in Hela cells cultured under serum-free conditions. These data indicate that CL synthesis is required to support human de novo CH biosynthesis under conditions of increased demand for CH.

2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 873-882 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhi Ming ◽  
Dallas J. Legare ◽  
W. Wayne Lautt

Absence of meal-induced insulin sensitization (AMIS) results in a predictable progression of dysfunctions, including postprandial hyperglycemia, compensatory hyperinsulinemia, resultant hyperlipidemia, increased oxidative stress, and obesity, progressing to syndrome X and diabetes. To test the ‘AMIS syndrome’ hypothesis we used 3 known means of producing graded and progressive changes in meal-induced insulin sensitization in rats. We used an aging model (9, 26, and 52 weeks), associated with a slow development of AMIS; a low-dose sucrose supplement model to accelerate the development of AMIS; and an antioxidant cocktail (S-adenosylmethionine, vitamin E, and vitamin C) to protect against the effect of the sucrose on meal-induced insulin sensitization. Adiposity was assessed from weighed regional fat masses and bioelectrical impedance. AMIS developed with age, was increased by sucrose supplementation, and was inhibited by the antioxidant cocktail. AMIS correlated with postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia, and with adiposity (r2 = 0.7–0.8) regardless of age or nutrient status. The range of degrees of AMIS, established over time with these models, afforded the tool with which to test the AMIS syndrome and further the argument that AMIS is the first metabolic defect that cumulatively leads to a predictable series of homeostatic disturbances and dysfunctions, including obesity and type 2 diabetes.


2009 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 773-788 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Labine ◽  
G.Y. Minuk

Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, produce a variety of toxins, some of which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of severe and potentially life-threatening diseases in humans. As the growth of cyanobacteria within freshwater lakes increases worldwide, it is important to review our present understanding of their toxicity and potential carcinogenicity to gain insight into how these organisms impact human health. This review addresses each of these topics, with special emphasis given to cyanobacterial hepatotoxins within freshwater environments.


Author(s):  
W. Liebrich

HeLa cells were grown for 2-3 days in EAGLE'S minimum essential medium with 10% calf serum (S-MEM; Seromed, München) and then incubated for 24 hours in serum free medium (MEM). After detaching the cells with a solution of 0. 14 % EDTA and 0. 07 % trypsin (Difco, 1 : 250) they were suspended in various solutions (S-MEM = control, MEM, buffered salt solutions with or without Me++ions, 0. 9 % NaCl solution) and allowed to settle on glass tube slips (Leighton-tubes). After 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 1 45, 60 minutes 2, 3, 4, 5 hours cells were prepared for scanning electron microscopy as described by Paweletz and Schroeter. The preparations were examined in a Jeol SEM (JSM-U3) at 25 KV without tilting.The suspended spherical HeLa cells are able to adhere to the glass support in all solutions. The rate of attachment, however, is faster in solutions without serum than in the control. The latter is in agreement with the findings of other authors.


Author(s):  
Tracy Stewart ◽  
Denise Koufogiannakis ◽  
Robert S.A. Hayward ◽  
Ellen Crumley ◽  
Michael E. Moffatt

This paper will report on the establishment of the Centres for Health Evidence (CHE) Demonstration Project in both Edmonton at the University of Alberta and in Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba. The CHE Project brings together a variety of partners to support evidence-based practice using Internet-based desktops on hospital wards. There is a discussion of the CHE's cultural and political experiences. An overview of the research opportunities emanating from the CHE Project is presented as well as some early observations about information usage.


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