The effects of lactate on muscle mass and regeneration were investigated using mouse skeletal muscle tissue and cultured C2C12 cells. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into (1) control, (2) lactate (1 mol/L in distilled water, 8.9 mL/g body weight)-administered, (3) cardio toxin (CTX)-injected (CX), and (4) lactate-administered after CTX-injection (LX) groups. CTX was injected into right tibialis anterior (TA) muscle before the oral administration of sodium lactate (five days/week for two weeks) to the mice. Oral lactate administration increased the muscle weight and fiber cross-sectional area, and the population of Pax7-positive nuclei in mouse TA skeletal muscle. Oral administration of lactate also facilitated the recovery process of CTX-associated injured mouse TA muscle mass accompanied with a transient increase in the population of Pax7-positive nuclei. Mouse myoblast-derived C2C12 cells were differentiated for five days to form myotubes with or without lactate administration. C2C12 myotube formation with an increase in protein content, fiber diameter, length, and myo-nuclei was stimulated by lactate. These observations suggest that lactate may be a potential molecule to stimulate muscle hypertrophy and regeneration of mouse skeletal muscle via the activation of muscle satellite cells.

Since liquid crystals have found wide use in liquid crystal displays, we try to apply liquid crystals to biotechnology. The purpose of this study is to describe the physical properties of the biopolymer DNA in regard to electrooptics. Synthetic oligonucleotide molecules were dispersed in a nematic liquid crystal (NLC). The ICP analyses showed that all of the oligonuleotide molecules added dispersed in the NLC. This sample was injected into the twisted nematic liquid crystal display cells, and then we measured its dielectric properties. The NLC doped with oligonucleotide molecules exhibited dielectric relaxation characteristics, depending on the concentration of oligonucleotide molecules. After analyzing this effect by using the equivalent circuit model, we found a difference in electrical conductivity between Watson–Crick base pairs (AT and GC). This result suggests that the difference might have contributed to the existence of a functional group involved in the hydrogen-bond interaction.

Human glyoxalase I (hGLO I) is an enzyme for detoxification of methylglyoxal (MG) and has been considered an attractive target for the development of new anticancer drugs. In our previous report, the GLO I inhibitor TLSC702 induced apoptosis in tumor cells. Here, we determined the crystal structures of hGLO I and its complex with TLSC702. In the complex, the carboxyl O atom of TLSC702 is coordinated to Zn2+, and TLSC702 mainly shows van der Waals interaction with hydrophobic residues. In the inhibitor‐unbound structure, glycerol, which has similar functional groups to MG, was bound to Zn2+, indicating that GLO I can easily bind to MG. This study provides a structural basis to develop better anticancer drugs.

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The present report describes the preparation of lanthanide-doped colorless magnetic materials based on poly-βketoester particles. Monodisperse poly(2-acetoacetoxy ethyl methacrylate) (PAAEM) particles were prepared by dispersion polymerization using AAEM as the monomer in the presence of a cross-linker. Because of the swelling characteristics of the crosslinked PAAEM particles in solvent, the lanthanide was effectively doped inside the particles, and the distribution of the lanthanides in the particles was visualized. By creating terbium (Tb)-doped PAAEM particles (PAAEM/Tb), which has luminescence properties in addition to magnetic properties, the relationship between efficient lanthanide doping conditions and magnetism was clarified. Because of the low coloration of lanthanides, the resulting PAAEM/Tb particles were colorless magnetic materials compared with conventional iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles. Magnetic force microscope measurements revealed that each particle exhibited magnetism. In addition, because of the high dispersibility of PAAEM/Tb particles and their colorless nature, the inkjet printing of particles and preparation of composites with commodity polymers have been demonstrated. The present technique has been shown to be widely applicable to other lanthanides instead of Tb. This versatile process enables the development of colorless functional polymeric materials with magnetic properties.

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