Activation of human aortic smooth-muscle cells is inhibited by PPAR-alpha but not by PPAR-gamma activators
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to demonstrate the presence of PPAR-alpha messenger RNA in aortic smooth-muscle cells (SMC) by using reverse transcription with the polymerase chain reaction and RNase protection analysis. PPAR-gamma mRNA was detectable by the same method, but its expression was much lower than in adipose tissue. It was concluded that activators of PPAR-alpha inhibit the inflammatory response of aortic SMC and reduce the concentration of plasma acute-phase proteins. The anti-inflammatory response is partly exerted by negatively regulating NF-kB transcriptional activity.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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The stomach is a source of leptin
Article Abstract:
The obese gene produces the peptide leptin, circulating levels of which are thought to provide the body with information about the size of its fat reserves. White adipose tissue, which regulates satiety, is the main producer of leptin, but a new study reports that leptin is also secreted by the placenta and possibly in the gastric epithelium of the stomach. Small quantities of leptin from the stomach are secreted in response to cholecystokinin, including CCK-8, and to feeding. It is suggested that such quantities may locally modulate the action of CCK-8.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Transient increase in obese gene expression after food intake or insulin administration
Article Abstract:
The expression of the obese (ob) gene of rats is controlled by feeding. Food ingestion leads to increased expression and is decreased when the rats are starved. The introduction of insulin into the starved rats increases the concentration of leptin, encoded by the ob gene, making it similar to that of fed rats. Insulin acts directly on the ob gene by influencing the levels of ob mRNA and not through changes in the concentration of glucose.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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