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Biomedical subjects

Y Kanoh

Publications and source records attributed to Y Kanoh.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Glucose activates protein kinase C-zeta /lambda through proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and phospholipase D: a novel mechanism for activating glucose transporter translocation.

Insulin controls glucose uptake by translocating GLUT4 and other glucose transporters to the plasma membrane in muscle and adipose tissues by a mechanism that appears to require protein kinase C (PKC)-zeta/lambda operating downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. In diabetes mellitus, insulin-stimulated glucose uptake is diminished, but with hyperglycemia, uptake is maintained but by uncertain mechanisms. Presently, we found that glucose acutely activated PKC-zeta/lambda in rat adipocytes and rat skeletal muscle preparations by a mechanism that was independent of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase but, interestingly, dependent on the apparently sequential activation of the dantrolene-sensitive, nonreceptor proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2; components of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, including, GRB2, SOS, RAS, RAF, MEK1 and ERK1/2; and, most interestingly, phospholipase D, thus yielding increases in phosphatidic acid, a known activator of PKC-zeta/lambda. This activation of PKC-zeta/lambda, moreover, appeared to be required for glucose-induced increases in GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport in adipocytes and muscle cells. Our findings suggest the operation of a novel pathway for activating PKC-zeta/lambda and glucose transport.

Adipocytes↗

Human Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphodiesterase PDE1A: novel splice variants, their specific expression, genomic organization, and chromosomal localization.

We report here the identification of novel human PDE1A splice variants, their tissue distribution patterns, genomic structure, and chromosomal localization of the gene. We identified one N-terminus (N3) and one C-terminus (C3) by cDNA library screening and dbEST database search. These N- and C-termini, including the reported N-termini (N1 and N2) and C-termini (C1 and C2), combined to generate nine different PDE1A cDNAs. N1 and N2 are similar to the 5' ends of the bovine PDE1A proteins of 61 kDa and 59 kDa, respectively, and C1 and C2 are the 3' ends of the reported human PDE1A variants. The results of PCR and Southern blot analysis show that nine PDE1A splice variants exhibit distinctive tissue distribution patterns by the difference of the N-terminus. PDE1As with N2 were widely expressed in various tissues, mainly in the kidney, liver, and pancreas. On the other hand, PDE1As with N1 and N3 were particularly expressed at a high level in the brain and testis, respectively. These findings suggest that the distinct expression patterns among PDE1A variants depend on the several promoters situated upstream of exons encoding 5' ends of the variants. The PDE1A gene spans over 120 kb of genomic DNA, and consists of at least 17 exons and 16 introns. The PDE1A gene was located on human chromosome 2q32 by fluorescent in situ hybridization analysis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Insulin and PIP3 activate PKC-zeta by mechanisms that are both dependent and independent of phosphorylation of activation loop (T410) and autophosphorylation (T560) sites.

Activation of protein kinase C-zeta (PKC-zeta) by insulin requires phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase-dependent increases in phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-(PO(4))(3) (PIP(3)) and phosphorylation of activation loop and autophosphorylation sites, but actual mechanisms are uncertain. Presently, we examined: (a) acute effects of insulin on threonine (T)-410 loop phosphorylation and (b) effects of (i) alanine (A) and glutamate (E) mutations at T410 loop and T560 autophosphorylation sites and (ii) N-terminal truncation on insulin-induced activation of PKC-zeta. Insulin acutely increased T410 loop phosphorylation, suggesting enhanced action of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1 (PDK-1). Despite increasing in vitro autophosphorylation of wild-type PKC-zeta and T410E-PKC-zeta, insulin and PIP(3) did not stimulate autophosphorylation of T560A, T560E, T410A/T560E, T410E/T560A, or T410E/T560E mutant forms of PKC-zeta; thus, T560 appeared to be the sole autophosphorylation site. Activating effects of insulin and/or PIP(3) on enzyme activity were completely abolished in T410A-PKC-zeta, partially compromised in T560A-PKC-zeta, T410E/T560A-PKC-zeta, and T410A/T560E-PKC-zeta, and largely intact in T410E-PKC-zeta, T560E-PKC-zeta, and T410E/T560E-PKC-zeta. Activation of the T410E/T560E mutant suggested a phosphorylation-independent mechanism. As functional correlates, insulin effects on epitope-tagged GLUT4 translocation were compromised by expression of T410A-PKC-zeta, T560A-PKC-zeta, T410E/T560A, and T410A/T560E-PKC-zeta but not T410E-PKC-zeta, T560E-PKC-zeta, or T410E/T560E-PKC-zeta. Insulin, but not PIP(3), activated truncated, pseudosubstrate-lacking forms of PKC-zeta and PKC-lambda by a wortmannin-sensitive mechanism, apparently involving PI 3-kinase/PDK-1-dependent phosphorylations but independent of PIP(3)-dependent conformational activation. Our findings suggest that insulin, via PIP(3), provokes increases in PKC-zeta enzyme activity through (a) PDK-1-dependent T410 loop phosphorylation, (b) T560 autophosphorylation, and (c) phosphorylation-independent/conformational-dependent relief of pseudosubstrate autoinhibition.

3-Phosphoinositide-Dependent Protein Kinases↗

Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance associates with activation of protein kinase C isoforms.

We studied glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and possible role of protein kinase C (PKC). Pretreatment with dexamethasone, prednisolone and corticosterone for 60 min decreased insulin-induced [3H] 2-deoxyglucose (DOG) uptake in isolated rat adipocytes. Preincubation with Go6976, LY379196 or myristoylated PKC pseudosubstrate, conventional PKC inhibitor, but not cycloheximide or RU38486, recovered dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance. Dexamethasone activated immunoprecipitates with anti-PKC alpha, beta, and zeta antibodies. PKC zeta activity in adipocytes increased to 163%, and 264% from basal level (100%) with dexamethasone and insulin treatment, respectively. Dexamethasone provoked redistribution of both PKC beta and zeta from the cytosol to the membrane. These results indicate that dexamethasone activates both conventional and atypical PKC. However, conventional PKC is more important in glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance.

Adipocytes↗

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) stimulates glucose uptake in rat adipocytes: activation of phospholipase D.

We examined the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on glucose uptake and phospholipase D (PLD) activation in rat adipocytes. DHEA (1 microM) provoked a twofold increase in [3H]2-deoxyglucose (DG) uptake for 30 min. Incorporation of [3H]glycerol into diacylglycerol was increased 150% above basal level for 20 min after stimulation with 1 microM DHEA. DHEA increased PLD activity, measured by the incorporation into [3H]phosphatidylethanol in [3H]palmitate labelled rat adipocytes, or by [3H]choline release in [methyl-(3)H]choline labeled rat adipocytes. Our results suggest that DHEA stimulates glucose uptake with activation of PLD in rat adipocytes.

Adipocytes↗

Genomic organization of the human phosphodiesterase PDE11A gene. Evolutionary relatedness with other PDEs containing GAF domains.

PDE11A is a dual-substrate, cAMP and cGMP, cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE). Presently four unique variants carrying distinct GAF sequences in the N-terminal region have been identified. While human PDE11A3 and PDE11A4 are known to be specifically expressed in testis and prostate, respectively, PDE11A1 was mainly detected in skeletal muscle. The human PDE11A gene was investigated and revealed to span > 300 kb, contain 23 exons and be mapped on chromosome 2q31. The transcription start sites of PDE11A1, PDE11A3 and PDE11A4 were determined, and the promoter sequences were revealed. Although 5' flanking genomic regions of PDE11A1 and PDE11A3 had a consensus TATA motif, that of PDE11A4 was a TATA-less but contained CCAAT box and Sp1-binding sequence. Interestingly, we found that the exon 2 sequence for N-terminal region of PDE11A3 encoded an N-terminal sequence of the cytochrome c pseudogene in an alternate reading frame, and that C-terminal region of the cytochrome c pseudogene in intron 2 was disrupted by the insertion of Alu repetitive sequence. Furthermore, we examined the exon-intron organization of the PDE2A gene and compared the exon organization among GAF-PDE family. The exon organization of the PDE11A catalytic domain was very similar to those of PDE5A and PDE6B. However, other GAF-PDEs, PDE2A and PDE10A, displayed different exon organization from PDE11A although these three PDEs are similar in their amino-acid sequences to each other. The findings suggested that PDE11A has a common ancestral gene with PDE5A and PDE6s, whereas PDE2A and PDE10A are generated separately from these three GAF-PDEs.

3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases↗

Platelet protein kinase C isoform content in type 2 diabetes complicated with retinopathy and nephropathy.

It has been reported that platelet aggregation in diabetic patients with microangiopathy is increased compared with healthy subjects. Chronic hyperglycemia is known to cause an increase in diacylglycerol level in various tissues. We examine whether protein kinase C (PKC) isoform content in platelets from diabetic patients is increased compared with healthy subjects, as previously described in the retina, aorta, and heart of diabetic rats. Platelet PKCalpha, beta and zeta immunoreactivity in cytosol, membrane and cytoskeleton (CS) fractions were analyzed by immunoblotting in 20 type 2 diabetic patients (who had been treated with diet alone, sulphonylureas or insulin, and whose condition was complicated with retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy and/or macroangiopathy) and in five healthy subjects. PKCalpha, beta and zeta immunoreactivity in cytosol, membrane and CS fractions in platelets from diabetic subjects were not significantly higher than those from healthy subjects. However, platelet PKCbeta immunoreactivity in cytosol fraction was significantly higher in diabetic patients with normal serum creatinine (Cr) level than in diabetic patients with abnormal Cr level (Cr > or =1.5 mg/dl) or in healthy subjects. Moreover, significant negative correlation between PKCbeta immunoreactivity in cytosol fraction of platelets and serum Cr level was found in diabetic patients (P < 0.05). To clarify the effect of treatment for diabetes, PKC isoform immunoreactivity in platelets was measured in type 2 diabetic patients treated with diet alone, sulphonylurea or insulin treatment. Serum creatinine level in diabetic patients with insulin treatment was significantly higher than in diabetic patients with sulphonylurea treatment and diet alone. In addition, PKCbeta immunoreactivity in diabetic patients with insulin treatment was significantly suppressed compared with that in patients treated by sulphonylurea treatment. These results suggest that chronic hyperglycemia may activate platelet PKCbeta isoform, and that insulin treatment may decrease platelet PKCbeta activity. Finally, not only PKCbeta antagonists, but also glycemic control by insulin may prevent development of diabetic microangiopathy.

Adult↗

Increased platelet aggregation in diabetic patients with microangiopathy despite good glycemic control.

The pathogenesis of diabetic micro- and macroangiopathy cannot be fully explained by hyperglycemia alone. To clarify diabetic complications mediated by increased platelet activity, we have studied platelet aggregation and its second messenger molecules such as protein kinase C (PKC), RhoA, and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3- kinase), in six diabetic patients with diabetic retinopathy and other diabetic complications in spite of good glycemic control. Their HbA(1c) levels throughout the observation period had been less than 6% with diet treatment alone, despite which diabetic retinopathy developed to the pre-proliferative stage during 2-8 years observation. Low-dose thrombin (< 0.5 U/ml)-stimulated platelet aggregation in the diabetic patients was enormously elevated compared with healthy control subjects. PKC, RhoA and PI3-kinase activities in the cytosol- and membrane-associated fractions were examined in the platelets from the two patients (Cases 2 and 4). Platelet membrane-associated RhoA and PI3-kinase activity in Case 2 were increased before the stimulation. Platelet RhoA and PI 3-kinase activities in Case 4 were increased after the stimulation with low-dose thrombin (0.01 U/ml). Membrane-associated immunoreactive PKC alpha, but not PKC beta in Cases 2 and 4 was elevated. Although platelet hyperactivity in these four patients was observed, PKC and RhoA in mononuclear leukocytes from these patients were not different from healthy subjects. Membrane-associated PKC alpha and RhoA immunoreactivities also increased in the other three cases. These results suggest that hyperreactivity of PKC alpha may lead to increased RhoA and PI3-kinase activities and platelet hyperfunction in diabetic patients with good glycemic control, and that raised platelet PKC alpha may be implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications.

Adult↗

Rosiglitazone, insulin treatment, and fasting correct defective activation of protein kinase C-zeta/lambda by insulin in vastus lateralis muscles and adipocytes of diabetic rats.

Atypical protein kinases C (PKCs), zeta and lambda, and protein kinase B (PKB) are thought to function downstream of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) and regulate glucose transport during insulin action in skeletal muscle and adipocytes. Insulin-stimulated glucose transport is defective in type II diabetes mellitus, and this defect is ameliorated by thiazolidinediones and lowering of blood glucose by chronic insulin therapy or short-term fasting. Presently, we evaluated the effects of these insulin-sensitizing modalities on the activation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1)-dependent PI 3-kinase, PKC-zeta/lambda, and PKB in vastus lateralis skeletal muscles and adipocytes of nondiabetic and Goto-Kakizaki (GK) diabetic rats. Insulin provoked rapid increases in the activity of PI 3-kinase, PKC-zeta/lambda, and PKB in muscles and adipocytes of nondiabetic rats, but increases in IRS-1-dependent PI 3-kinase and PKC-zeta/lambda, but not PKB, activity were substantially diminished in GK muscles and adipocytes. Rosiglitazone treatment for 10-14 days, 10-day insulin treatment, and 60-h fasting reversed defects in PKC-zeta/lambda activation in GK muscles and adipocytes and increased glucose transport in GK adipocytes, without necessarily increasing IRS-1-dependent PI 3-kinase or PKB activation. Our findings suggest that insulin-sensitizing modalities, viz. thiazolidinediones, chronic insulin treatment, and short-term fasting, similarly improve defects in insulin-stimulated glucose transport at least partly by correcting defects in insulin-induced activation of PKC-zeta/lambda.

Adipocytes↗

Glucose activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) through proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 and the Glut1 glucose transporter.

Glucose serves as both a nutrient and regulator of physiological and pathological processes. Presently, we found that glucose and certain sugars rapidly activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) by a mechanism that was: (a) independent of glucose uptake/metabolism and protein kinase C but nevertheless cytochalasin B-inhibitable; (b) dependent upon proline-rich tyrosine kinase-2 (PYK2), GRB2, SOS, RAS, RAF, and MEK1; and (c) amplified by overexpression of the Glut1, but not Glut2, Glut3, or Glut4, glucose transporter. This amplifying effect was independent of glucose uptake but dependent on residues 463-468, IASGFR, in the Glut1 C terminus. Accordingly, glucose effects on ERK were amplified by expression of Glut4/Glut1 or Glut2/Glut1 chimeras containing IASGFR but not by Glut1/Glut4 or Glut1/Glut2 chimeras lacking these residues. Also, deletion of Glut1 residues 469-492 was without effect, but mutations involving serine 465 or arginine 468 yielded dominant-negative forms that inhibited glucose-dependent ERK activation. Glucose stimulated the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues 402 and 881 in PYK2 and binding of PYK2 to Myc-Glut1. Our findings suggest that: (a) glucose activates the GRB2/SOS/RAS/RAF/MEK1/ERK pathway by a mechanism that requires PYK2 and residues 463-468, IASGFR, in the Glut1 C terminus and (b) Glut1 serves as a sensor, transducer, and amplifier for glucose signaling to PYK2 and ERK.

3T3 Cells↗

The role of atypical and conventional PKC in dehydroepiandrosterone-induced glucose uptake and dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance.

We have reported that both dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dexamethasone (Dexa) directly activate PKC. In this study, we investigated the effects of these hormones on conventional PKC (cPKC) and atypical PKC (aPKC). DHEA and Dexa directly activated PKCbeta and PKCzeta to the same degree. In rat adipocytes, DHEA and Dexa activated endogenous immunoprecitable PKCzeta to 246 and 164%, respectively, from basal level (100%). In adipocytes, 5 min treatment with DHEA increased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI 3-kinase) activity in immunoprecipitate with anti-phosphotyrotyrosine antibody to 235%. Preincubation with wortmannin, myristoylated PKCzeta pseudosubstrate, but not with Go6976, abolished DHEA-induced 2-deoxyglucose (DOG) uptake. cPKC inhibitors prevented Dexa-induced insulin resistance. Moreover, DHEA and Dexa increased DOG uptake to 330 and 220%, respectively, in adipocytes overexpressed with wild-type PKCzeta, but not in those overexpressed with dominant negative. These results indicate that DHEA and Dexa activate both cPKC and aPKC, and Dexa-induced cPKC activation may lead to insulin resistance. In contrast, DHEA may mimic or enhance insulin action via PI 3-kinase and aPKC.

Adipocytes↗

Thiazolidinedione treatment enhances insulin effects on protein kinase C-zeta /lambda activation and glucose transport in adipocytes of nondiabetic and Goto-Kakizaki type II diabetic rats.

We evaluated effects of the thiazolidinedione, rosiglitazone, on insulin-induced activation of protein kinase C (PKC)-zeta/lambda and glucose transport in adipocytes of Goto-Kakizaki (GK)-diabetic and nondiabetic rats. Insulin effects on PKC-zeta/lambda and 2-deoxyglucose uptake were diminished by approximately 50% in GK adipocytes, as compared with control adipocytes. This defect in insulin-induced PKC-zeta/lambda activation was associated with diminished activation of IRS-1-dependent phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase, and was accompanied by diminished phosphorylation of threonine 410 in the activation loop of PKC-zeta; in contrast, protein kinase B (PKB) activation and phosphorylation were not significantly altered. Rosiglitazone completely reversed defects in insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake, PKCzeta/lambda enzyme activity and PKC-zeta threonine 410 phosphorylation, but had no effect on PI 3-kinase activation or PKB activation/phosphorylation in GK adipocytes. Similarly, in adipocytes of nondiabetic rats, rosiglitazone provoked increases in insulin-stimulated 2-deoxyglucose uptake, PKC-zeta/lambda enzyme activity and phosphorylation of both threonine 410 activation loop and threonine 560 autophosphorylation sites in PKC-zeta, but had no effect on PI 3-kinase activation or PKB activation/phosphorylation. Our findings suggest that (a) decreased effects of insulin on glucose transport in adipocytes of GK-diabetic rats are due at least in part to diminished phosphorylation/activation of PKC-zeta/lambda, and (b) thiazolidinediones enhance glucose transport responses to insulin in adipocytes of both diabetic and nondiabetic rats through increases in phosphorylation/activation of PKC-zeta/lambda.

Adipocytes↗

Effect of pertussis toxin on insulin-induced signal transduction in rat adipocytes and soleus muscles.

It has been reported that pertussis toxin (PTX) suppresses the function of trimeric guanine nucleotide binding protein (G-protein). We examined the effect of PTX on insulin-induced glucose uptake, diacylglycerol (DG)-protein kinase C (PKC) signalling, phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase and PKC zeta activation and insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Gialpha to clarify the role of G-protein for insulin-mediated signal transduction mechanism in rat adipocytes and soleus muscles. Isolated adipocytes and soleus muscles were preincubated with 0.01 approximately 1 ng/ml PTX for 2 hours, followed by stimulation with 10-100 nM insulin or 1 microM tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Pretreatment with PTX resulted in dose-responsive decreases in insulin-stimulated [3H]2-deoxyglucose (DOG) uptake, and unchanged TPA-stimulated [3H]2-DOG uptake, without affecting basal [3H]2-DOG uptake. In adipocytes, insulin-induced DG-PKC signalling, PI 3-kinase activation and PKC zeta translocation from cytosol to the membrane were suppressed when treated with PTX, despite no changes in [125I]insulin-specific binding and insulin receptor tyrosine kinase activity. Moreover, to elucidate insulin-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of 40 kDa alpha-subunit of G-protein (Gialpha-2), adipocytes were stimulated with 10 nM insulin for 10 minutes, homogenized, immunoprecipitated with anti-phosphotyrosine antibody, and immunoblotted with anti-Gialpha-2 antibody. Insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of Gialpha-2 was found by immunoblot analysis with anti-Gialpha-2 antibody. These results suggest that G-protein regulates DG-PKC signalling by binding of Gialpha-2 with GTP and PI 3-kinase-PKC zeta signalling by releasing of Gbetagamma via dissociation of trimeric G-protein after insulin receptor tyrosine phosphorylation in insulin-sensitive tissues.

Adipocytes↗

Effects of adenoviral gene transfer of wild-type, constitutively active, and kinase-defective protein kinase C-lambda on insulin-stimulated glucose transport in L6 myotubes.

We used adenoviral gene transfer methods to evaluate the role of atypical protein kinase Cs (PKCs) during insulin stimulation of glucose transport in L6 myotubes. Expression of wild-type PKC-lambda potentiated maximal and half-maximal effects of insulin on 2-deoxyglucose uptake, but did not alter basal uptake. Expression of constitutively active PKC-lambda enhanced basal 2-deoxyglucose uptake to virtually the same extent as that observed during insulin treatment. In contrast, expression of kinase-defective PKC-lambda completely blocked insulin-stimulated, but not basal, 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Similar to alterations in glucose transport, constitutively active PKC-lambda mimicked, and kinase-defective PKC-lambda completely inhibited, insulin effects on GLUT4 glucose transporter translocation to the plasma membrane. Expression of kinase-defective PKC-lambda, in addition to inhibition of atypical PKC enzyme activity, was attended by paradoxical increases in GLUT4 and GLUT1 glucose transporter levels and insulin-stimulated protein kinase B enzyme activity. Our findings suggest that in L6 myotubes, 1) atypical PKCs are required and sufficient for insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation and glucose transport; and 2) activation of protein kinase B in the absence of activation of atypical PKCs is insufficient for insulin-induced activation of glucose transport.

Adenoviridae↗

[Development of gamma-heavy chain disease during the course of diabetic nephropathy].

We reported a rare case of gamma-heavy chain disease. A 63-year-old man had been given a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus at the age of 30 and had received hemodialysis since the age of 55. The patient presented with swollen lymph nodes in the neck. Lymph node biopsy findings suggested immunoblastic lymphadenopathy. The patient was admitted to Kitasato University hospital. Serum protein electrophoresis showed an increase of beta-fraction peak, and immunoelectrophoresis revealed an increase of gamma-heavy chain protein. Further studies of the gamma-heavy chain protein showed that it contained three different components and that the molecular weight of the main component was 34,000 Da. The patient died on the 11th day of hospitalization. The diagnosis at autopsy was unclassified malignant lymphoma.

Diabetic Nephropathies↗

[Responses in a questionnaire by medical school students who participated in the new curriculum of the clinical learning in clinical pathology].

The clinical learning taken by medical students are an important part of their medical education. To develop a new, effective curriculum for the clinical learning in Clinical Pathology, the instructors defined clear general instructional objectives and specific behavioral objectives, and discussed the learning strategies and evaluation methods. The medical students at our medical school took this new curriculum in Clinical Pathology in 1999. As an evaluation method of this new curriculum, we asked all students to fill out a questionnaire that asked their opinions about the length of each component in the Clinical Pathology rotation, the content of the rotation, etc. Over 80% of the respondents answered that the rotation in Clinical Pathology was useful. Ninety-six percent of the students felt that the experience and knowledge they gained in this Clinical Pathology rotation will be useful in the clinical learning in other departments. Based on the high percentage of favorable responses from the students, we concluded that the new curriculum, which was developed after intensive planning, was successful. In summary, the feedback from students who took the new curriculum in Clinical Pathology showed that this new course was well-accepted by the students and that it created an excellent relationship between the instructors and students. Some of the responses in the questionnaires will be used to improve the Clinical Pathology rotation in the future.

Consumer Behavior↗

[Evaluation of hepatic resection following hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases].

We evaluated the significance of hepatectomy following hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases. The prognosis of 4 cases with initially resectable tumors was discouraging, indicating no benefit of preoperative HAI for resectable tumors. The 2- and 3-year survival of patients who underwent hepatectomy after downstaging by HAI of originally unresectable metastases were 100% and 67%, respectively, suggesting that hepatectomy combined with HAI is a promising modality for those patients. However, it seems that the control of extrahepatic disease and decision making for the timing for surgical therapy are issues requiring improvement.

Aged↗

Effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha on insulin signal transduction in rat adipocytes: relation to PKCbeta and zeta translocation.

Although much evidence has been accumulated suggesting that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is an important mediator of insulin resistance, the precise mechanism involved is still unclear. Recently, it has been reported that insulin-induced glucose uptake is mediated by activation of second messengers such as insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and diacylglycerol (DG)-protein kinase C (PKC). We have examined the effect of TNF-alpha on insulin-induced glucose uptake and activations of tyrosine kinase, IRS-1, PI3K and PKC in rat adipocytes. Pretreatment with 0.1-100 nM TNF-alpha for 60 min resulted in a significant decrease in 10 nM insulin- or 1 microM 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced [3H]2-deoxyglucose uptake without affecting basal glucose uptake. 10 nM insulin-stimulated activation of tyrosine kinase, IRS-1 and PI3K was suppressed by preincubation with 0.1-10 nM TNF-alpha for 60 min. 10 nM TNF-alpha pretreatment also suppressed 10 nM insulin- and 1 microM TPA-induced increases in membrane-associated PKCbeta and PKCzeta. Furthermore, 10 nM TNF-alpha, by itself, altered PKCbeta translocation from the membrane to cytosol. These results suggest that TNF-alpha inhibits insulin-stimulated activation of both the tyrosine kinase-IRS-1-PI3K-PKCzeta pathway and DG-PKC pathway. Finally, TNF-alpha contributes to insulin resistance in rat adipocytes.

Adipocytes↗