ObjectivesThe two primary pathophysiological characteristics of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are insulin resistance (IR) and beta cell dysfunction. It has been proposed that the development of IR is secondary to the accumulation of triacylglycerols and fatty acids in the muscle and liver, which is in turn thought to be secondary to an enzymatic defect in mitochondrial beta-oxidation. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the molecules of intermediary metabolism to determine if an alteration in mitochondrial function exists in T2DM patients and, if so, to determine whether this alteration is caused by excess nutrients or an enzymatic defect.Design and methodsSeventy-seven subjects were recruited and divided into four groups (21 T2DM patients, 17 non-diabetic overweight/obese subjects, 20 offspring of T2DM patients, and 19 healthy subjects). Anthropometric parameters were determined by air plethysmography, and biochemical and metabolic parameters were measured, including 31 acylcarnitines (ACs) and 13 amino acids quantified by MS/MS and 67 organic acids measured by GC/MS.ResultsPatients with T2DM showed elevation of short-chain ACs (C2, C4), a glycogenic amino acid (valine), a glycogenic and ketogenic amino acid (tyrosine), and a ketogenic amino acid (leucine) as well as altered excretion of dicarboxylic acids. T2DM offspring with abnormal glucose tolerance test GTT showed increased levels of C16. Subjects in the obese group who were dysglycemic also showed altered urinary excretion of dicarboxylic acids and lower levels of a long-chain AC (C14:2).ConclusionsThese results suggest that mitochondrial beta-oxidation is altered in T2DM patients and that the alteration is most likely caused by nutrient overload through a different pathway from that observed in obese subjects.
Culex quinquefasciatus Say is a vector of many pathogens of humans, and both domestic and wild animals. Personal protection, reduction of larval habitats, and chemical control are the best ways to reduce mosquito bites and, therefore, the transmission of mosquito-borne pathogens. Currently, to reduce the risk of transmission, the pyrethroids, and other insecticide groups have been extensively used to control both larvae and adult mosquitoes. In this context, amino acids and acylcarnitines have never been associated with insecticide exposure and or insecticide resistance. It has been suggested that changes in acylcarnitines and amino acids profiles could be a powerful diagnostic tool for metabolic alterations. Monitoring these changes could help to better understand the mechanisms involved in insecticide resistance, complementing the strategies for managing this phenomenon in the integrated resistance management. The purpose of the study was to determine the amino acids and acylcarnitines profiles in larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus after the exposure to different insecticides. Bioassays were performed on Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae exposed to the diagnostic doses (DD) of the insecticides chlorpyrifos (0.001 μg/mL), temephos (0.002 μg/mL) and permethrin (0.01 μg/mL). In each sample, we analyzed the profile of 12 amino acids and 31 acylcarnitines by LC-MS/MS. A t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences between groups and corrections of q-values. Results indicates three changes, the amino acids arginine (ARG), free carnitine (C0) and acetyl-carnitine (C2) that could be involved in energy production and insecticide detoxification. We confirmed that concentrations of amino acids and acylcarnitines in Cx. quinquefasciatus vary with respect to different insecticides. The information generated contributes to understand the possible mechanisms and metabolic changes occurring during insecticide exposure.
BackgroundFree amino acids and acylcarnitines circulating in the blood can be used for diagnosis for metabolic illness and imbalances. To date, the normal reference ranges of amino acids and acylcarnitines in horse peripheral blood have not been established. In this study, the concentrations of 12 amino acids and 26 acylcarnitines were determined by tandem mass spectrometry in complete blood from 100 healthy horses (50 Quarter horses (QH) [23 males and 27 females] and 50 American Miniature horses (AMH) [15 males and 35 females]) with no signs of metabolic disease. The means and standard deviations were determined and data statistically analyzed.FindingsConcentrations of short, medium, and long chain acylcarnitines were significantly higher in male AMH than in male QH. The concentrations of the amino acids alanine, arginine, glycine, proline (glycogenic), and leucine (ketogenic) were higher in the QH than in the AMH. Female AMH had higher concentrations of propionylcarnitine, leucine, proline, arginine, and ornithine than female QH.ConclusionsNormal reference ranges of amino acids and acylcarnitines were established for AMH and QH. Significant differences were found in concentration of these compounds between breeds and gender.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13028-015-0144-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.