Cellular Lipids (cellular + lipid)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Intracellular Imaging of HCV RNA and Cellular Lipids by Using Simultaneous Two-Photon Fluorescence and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopies

CHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 12 2006
Xiaolin Nan
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with changes in host-cell lipid metabolism. Here we describe a new approach for detecting HCV RNA using two-photon fluorescence (TPF), and HCV-associated changes in cellular lipids using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. By combining the two types of microscopy with a common laser source, we visualized both phenomena simultaneously and profiled cellular lipids and subcellular localization of RNA in real time. [source]


Reverse cholesterol transport in type 2 diabetes mellitus

DIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 6 2009
K. C. B. Tan
High-density lipoprotein (HDL) plays an important protective role against atherosclerosis, and the anti-atherogenic properties of HDL include the promotion of cellular cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport (RCT), as well as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant effects. RCT is a complex pathway, which transports cholesterol from peripheral cells and tissues to the liver for its metabolism and biliary excretion. The major steps in the RCT pathway include the efflux of free cholesterol mediated by cholesterol transporters from cells to the main extracellular acceptor HDL, the conversion of free cholesterol to cholesteryl esters and the subsequent removal of cholesteryl ester in HDL by the liver. The efficiency of RCT is influenced by the mobilization of cellular lipids for efflux and the intravascular remodelling and kinetics of HDL metabolism. Despite the increased cardiovascular risk in people with type 2 diabetes, current knowledge on RCT in diabetes is limited. In this article, abnormalities in RCT in type 2 diabetes mellitus and therapeutic strategies targeting HDL and RCT will be reviewed. [source]


The fatty acid compositions of predator Piocoris luridus (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) and its host Monosteria unicostata (Heteroptera: Tingidae) reared on almond

INSECT SCIENCE, Issue 6 2007
OZLEM CAKMAK
Abstract The changes in fatty acid compositions during nutritional interaction among almond Amygdalus communis Linnaeus (Rosales: Rosaceae) (host plant), lacebug Monosteria unicostata (Mulsant and Rey) (Heteroptera: Tingidae) and its predator Piocoris luridus Fieber (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) were determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. The fatty acid profiles of phospholipids and triacylglycerols were substantially different. Unlike the general observations for virtually most terrestrial insects, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids were detected in high proportions of phospholipid fractions in both insects, especially in P. luridus. Also the almond tissues provide very little oleic acid to the herbivore diet, yet both insect species developed high proportions of this component. Our data reveals instances of specific accumulation of fatty acid biosynthesis, elongation/desaturation, and not incorporating selected fatty acids into cellular lipids. [source]


Effects on Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidative Enzymes of Euonymus alatus in Cultured Rat Hepatocytes

BASIC AND CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Kyung-Woon Kim
In this paper, we investigate the effects of E. alatus on cultured hepatocyte cell system and lipid peroxidation in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment conditions. The study covers the physiological activity (the antioxidative activity and the nitrite-scavenging effect) of E. alatus. H2O2 that can produce intracellular free radical was used for inducer of the peroxidation of cellular lipids. Treatment of E. alatus attenuated in cell killing enhanced by increasing concentrations of H2O2. The increased malondialdehyde level induced by H2O2 treatment was reduced by pre-treatment of E. alatus. Furthermore, addition of E. alatus in cell culture medium significantly reduced cell killing and content of intracellular antioxidants. Changes in nitrite-scavenging effect of E. alatus at various concentrations (5,25 mg/ml) and various pH levels (pH 1.2, 4.2 and 6.0) were also observed. The present study was also done to investigate the effects of E. alatus on cultured hepatocyte cell system, H2O2 -induced cytotoxicity and antioxidative enzyme activities, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase in H2O2 treatment conditions. E. alatus treatment had significant protective or elevating activities on these antioxidative enzyme activities compared to a normal group. The results indicate that E. alatus provides a strong antioxidant protection of cells against H2O2 -induced oxidative stress. [source]


Causes of shear sensitivity of the toxic dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum

BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2009
J. J. Gallardo Rodríguez
Abstract Dinoflagellates have proven extremely difficult to culture because they are inhibited by low-level shear forces. Specific growth rate of the toxic dinoflagellate Protoceratium reticulatum was greatly decreased compared with static control culture by intermittent exposure to a turbulent hydrodynamic environment with a bulk average shear rate that was as low as 0.3 s,1. Hydrodynamic forces appeared to induce the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the cells and this caused peroxidation of cellular lipids and ultimately cell damage. Exposure to damaging levels of shear rate correlated with the elevated level of lipoperoxides in the cells, but ROS levels measured directly by flow cytometry did not correlate with shear induced cell damage. This was apparently because the measured level of ROS could not distinguish between the ROS that are normally generated by photosynthesis and the additional ROS produced as a consequence of hydrodynamic shear forces. Continuously subjecting the cells to a bulk average shear rate value of about 0.3 s,1 for 24-h caused an elevation in the levels of chlorophyll a, peridinin and dinoxanthin, as the cells apparently attempted to counter the damaging effects of shear fields by producing pigments that are potential antioxidants. In static culture, limitation of carbon dioxide produced a small but measureable increase in ROS. The addition of ascorbic acid (0.1 mM) to the culture medium resulted in a significant protective effect on lipid peroxidation, allowing cells to grow under damaging levels of shear rates. This confirmed the use of antioxidant additives as an efficient strategy to counter the damaging effects of turbulence in photobioreactors where shear sensitive dinoflagellates are cultivated. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2009 [source]


Impact of Low-Temperature Plasmas on Deinococcusradiodurans and Biomolecules

BIOTECHNOLOGY PROGRESS, Issue 3 2003
Rakesh Mogul
The effects of cold plasma on Deinococcus radiodurans, plasmid DNA, and model proteins were assessed using microbiological, spectrometric, and biochemical techniques. In low power O2 plasma (,25 W, ,45 mTorr, 90 min), D. radiodurans, a radiation-resistant bacterium, showed a 99.999% reduction in bioburden. In higher power O2 plasma (100 W and 500 mTorr), the reduction rate increased about 10-fold and observation by atomic force microscopy showed significant damage to the cell. Damage to cellular lipids, proteins, and chromosome was indicated by losses of infrared spectroscopic peaks at 2930, 1651, 1538, and 1245 cm - 1, respectively. In vitro experiments show that O2 plasmas induce DNA strand scissions and cross-linking as well as reduction of enzyme activity. The observed degradation and removal of biomolecules was power-dependent. Exposures to 200 W at 500 mTorr removed biomolecules to below detection limits in 60 s. Emission spectroscopy indicated that D. radiodurans cells were volatilized into CO2, CO, N2, and H2O, confirming that these plasmas were removing complex biological matter from surfaces. A CO2 plasma was not as effective as the O2 plasma, indicating the importance of plasma composition and the dominant role of chemical degradation. Together, these findings have implications for NASA planetary protection schemes and for the contamination of Mars. [source]


Intracellular Imaging of HCV RNA and Cellular Lipids by Using Simultaneous Two-Photon Fluorescence and Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering Microscopies

CHEMBIOCHEM, Issue 12 2006
Xiaolin Nan
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is associated with changes in host-cell lipid metabolism. Here we describe a new approach for detecting HCV RNA using two-photon fluorescence (TPF), and HCV-associated changes in cellular lipids using coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy. By combining the two types of microscopy with a common laser source, we visualized both phenomena simultaneously and profiled cellular lipids and subcellular localization of RNA in real time. [source]