Bromate anion reduction: novel autocatalytic (EC″) mechanism of electrochemical processes. Its implication for redox flow batteries of high energy and power densities

Recent theoretical studies of the bromate electroreduction from strongly acidic solution have been overviewed in view of very high redox-charge and energy densities of this process making it attractive for electric energy sources. Keeping in mind non-electroactivity of the bromate ion the possibility to ensure its rapid transformation via a redox-mediator cycle (EC′ mechanism) is analyzed. Alternative route via the bromine/bromide redox couple and the comproportionation reaction inside the solution phase is considered within the framework of several theoretical approaches based on the conventional Nernst layer model, or on its recently proposed advanced version (Generalized Nernst layer model), on the convective diffusion transport equations. This analysis has revealed that this process corresponds to a novel (EC″) electrochemical mechanism since the transformation of the principal oxidant (bromate) is carried out via autocatalytic redox cycle where the bromate consumption leads to progressive accumulation of the bromine/bromide redox couple catalyzing the process. As a result, even a tracer amount of its component, bromine, in the bulk solution leads under certain conditions to extremely high current densities which may even overcome the diffusion-limited one for bromate, i.e. be well over 1 A/cm2 for concentrated bromate solutions. This analysis allows one to expect that the hydrogen–bromate flow battery may generate very high values of both the current density and specific electric power, over 1 A/cm2 and 1 W/cm2.

Glucose uptake and metabolic stress in rat muscles stimulated electrically with different protocols

In the present study, the relationship between the pattern of electrical stimulation and glucose uptake was investigated in slow-twitch muscles (soleus) and fast-twitch muscles (epitrochlearis) from Wistar rats. Muscles were stimulated electrically for 30 min in vitro with either single pulses (frequencies varied between 0.8 and 15 Hz) or with 200-ms trains (0.1–2 Hz). Glucose uptake (measured with tracer amount of 2-[3H]deoxyglucose) increased with increasing number of impulses whether delivered as single pulses or as short trains. The highest glucose uptake achieved with short tetanic contractions was similar in soleus and epitrochlearis (10.9 ± 0.7 and 12.0 ± 0.8 mmol · kg dry wt−1 · 30 min−1, respectively). Single pulses, on the other hand, increased contraction-stimulated glucose uptake less in soleus than in epitrochlearis (7.5 ± 1.1 and 11.7 ± 0.5 mmol · kg dry wt−1 · 30 min−1, respectively; P < 0.02). Glucose uptake correlated with glycogen breakdown in soleus ( r = 0.84, P < 0.0001) and (epitrochlearis: r = 0.91, P < 0.0001). Contraction-stimulated glucose uptake also correlated with breakdown of ATP and PCr and with reduction in force. Our data suggest that metabolic stress mediates contraction-stimulated glucose uptake.

Integrative physiology of splanchnic glutamine and ammonium metabolism

The substrates for hepatic ureagenesis are equimolar amounts of ammonium and aspartate. The study design mimics conditions in which the liver receives more [Formula: see text]than aspartate precursors (very low-protein diet). Fasted dogs, fitted acutely with transhepatic catheters, were infused with a tracer amount of 15NH4Cl. From arteriovenous differences, the major [Formula: see text] precursor for hepatic ureagenesis was via deamidation of glutamine in the portal drainage system (rather than in the liver), because there was a 1:1 stoichiometry between glutamine disappearance and[Formula: see text] appearance, and the amide (but not the amine) nitrogen of glutamine supplied the 15N added to the portal venous [Formula: see text] pool. The liver extracted all this [Formula: see text] from glutamine deamidation plus an additional amount in a single pass, suggesting that there was an activator of hepatic ureagenesis. The other major source of nitrogen extracted by the liver was [14N]alanine. Because alanine was not produced in the portal venous system, we speculate that it was derived ultimately from proteins in peripheral tissues.

Role of glycogen concentration and epinephrine on glucose uptake in rat epitrochlearis muscle

The effects of diet-manipulated variations in muscle glycogen concentration and epinephrine on glucose uptake were studied in epitrochlearis muscles from Wistar rats. Both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake [measured with a tracer amount of 2-[1,2-3H(N)]deoxy-D-glucose] inversely correlated with initial glycogen concentration (glycogen concentration vs. basal glucose uptake: Spearman's rho = -0.76, n = 84, P < 0.000001; glycogen concentration vs. insulin-stimulated glucose uptake: Spearman's rho = -0.67, n = 44, P < 0.00001). Two fasting-refeeding procedures were used that resulted in differences in muscle glycogen concentrations, although with similar treatment for the last 48 h before the experiment. In the rats with the lower glycogen concentration, basal as well as insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was elevated. The muscle glycogen concentration had no effect on epinephrine-stimulated glycogenolysis. Epinephrine, however, was found to reduce basal glucose uptake in all groups. These results suggest that 1) the glycogen concentration participates in the regulation of both basal and insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, 2) the magnitude of epinephrine-stimulated glycogen breakdown is independent of the glycogen concentration, and 3) epinephrine inhibits basal glucose uptake at all glycogen concentrations.

Tissue specific differences in insulin receptor characteristics in the mature bovine animal

Insulin is believed to play a key role in the partitioning of nutrients towards fat and protein deposition. The biological effects of insulin are a function of plasma insulin concentration, insulin-receptor concentration and the affinity of the receptor. The number and affinity of insulin receptors on adipocytes differs between genetically lean and obese pigs (Camara and Mourot, 1996) while receptor number, but not affinity, was shown to differ in a variety of bovine muscles (Boge et al., 1995). The objective of the current work was to determine if insulin receptor affinity and number vary between the principal target tissues (i.e. liver, muscle and adipose tissue) in the bovine animal.Five Charolais-cross steers were offered grass silage ad libitum from 18 months of age until slaughter, at 701± 22.9 kg, at a commercial abattoir. Samples of liver [L], of two skeletal muscles [Ml, M3] and of subcutaneous [S], omental [0]and renal [R] fats were taken as soon as possible after slaughter (typically <30min for L, M3, S and O and <45min for Mland R), wrapped and snap frozen in liquid nitrogen prior to storage at -70 °. Insulin receptors were partially purified by solubilising tissues in 1% Triton X-100 for 24 hours at 4 °C followed by centrifugation (100000 x g, lh, 4°) and affinity chromatography of the supernatants on 0.5 ml wheatgerm agglutinin Sepharose 6MB columns. Bound receptors were eluted from the column with 0.3M N-acetyl-D-glucosamine. Receptor binding was assessed using a tracer amount of A-14 125I-insulin (∼35 pM) and increasing concentrations of unlabelled insulin (0-10 μM) in a total volume of 150 μl of pH 7.4 buffer as described by Magri et al (1990).

Inhibition of insulin-mediated glucose uptake in rat hindlimb by an alpha-adrenergic vascular effect

The vasoconstrictor norepinephrine, at high doses, inhibits oxygen uptake (VO2) in the perfused hindlimb, possibly by opening vascular shunts and reducing nutrient access. Thus, in the present study, the effect of norepinephrine on insulin-mediated glucose uptake (IMGU) was assessed. Rat hindlimbs were perfused at constant flow with medium containing 8.3 mM glucose and a tracer amount of 2-deoxy-D-[1-3H]glucose (2-DG) with and without 15 nM insulin, 10 microM norepinephrine (NE), and combinations of the adrenergic blockers propranolol (Prop) and prazosin. Perfusions were also conducted at a lower dose of 1 microM NE where VO2 is stimulated. NE (10 microM) inhibited IMGU > 80%, and this inhibition, when measured by 2-DG uptake, was most pronounced in muscles rich in white fibers. The inhibitory effect of NE on IMGU comprised a beta-adrenergic component also partly evident at lower concentrations of NE (i.e., 1 microM) and an alpha-adrenergic component only evident at 10 microM NE. In contrast to the results for the hindlimb, 10 microM NE plus Prop (alpha-adrenergic combination) had no significant effect on insulin-mediated 2-DG uptake by isolated incubated soleus or extensor digitorum longus muscles. It is concluded that NE, at doses likely to occur at sympathetic vasoconstrictor synapses in muscle, impairs IMGU by a vascular effect to cause shunting and reduce access.

Formation and movement of myosin-containing structures in living fibroblasts.

Gizzard myosin, fluorescently labeled with tetramethylrhodamine iodoacetamide, was microinjected into living 3T3 fibroblasts to label myosin-containing structures. The fluorophore was located predominantly on the heavy chain near the COOH terminus of the S1 head and on the 17-kD light chain. After microinjection of a tracer amount into living 3T3 cells, the fluorescent myosin showed a distribution identical to that revealed by immunofluorescence with antimyosin antibodies. Injected myosin became localized in small beads, which were found along large stress fibers, along fine fibers, and in a poorly organized form near the lamellipodia. De novo assembly of beads was observed continuously within or near the lamellipodia, suggesting that myosin molecules may undergo a constant cycling between polymerized and unpolymerized states. The nascent structures then moved away from lamellipodia and became organized into linear arrays. Similar movement was also observed for beads already associated with linear structures, and may represent a continuous flux of myosin structures. The dynamic reorganization of myosin may play an important role in cell movement and polarity.