Ceramide is a key compound in sphingolipid metabolism. Dynamics of ceramide synthesis is important in the several biological processes, such as induction of apoptosis or insulin resistance. So far, its de novo synthesis rate was evaluated indirectly, based on the content of the compound, its intermediates and the activity of respective enzymes. The aim of the present study was to directly measu...

We evaluated the consequences of excess free fatty acids (FFA) on mechanical and metabolic functions in globally perfused working swine hearts. In one group of eight hearts, treatments with heparin and 10% fat emulsion (Intralipid) produced a 3to 5-fold elevation in serum FFA levels as contrasted with levels in 10 untreated hearts . At control flows, excess FFA caused declines in aortic pressur...

Chronic nicotinic acid (NA) ingestion effectively lowers lipid levels, but adverse effects on glucose metabolism have been reported. Our goal was to investigate acute and chronic effects of NA on lipolysis and glucose metabolism in women. Healthy normolipidemic volunteers (n = 5) were studied twice; four-day hospital stays were separated by 1 mo, during which time subjects took increasing doses...

In previous research, Hugan Qingzhi, a traditional Chinese medicine, was shown to have protective effects against hepatic steatosis. However, its activity against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the mechanisms by which it exerts its effects remain unknown. In the present study, the effects of Hugan Qingzhi on free fatty acid (FFA)-induced L02 cells were examined. The techniques of...

We examined the effects of exercise intensity and training [12 wk, 5 days/wk, 1 h, 75% peak oxygen consumption (V˙o 2 peak)] on lipolysis and plasma free fatty acid (FFA) flux in women ( n = 8; 24.3 ± 1.6 yr). Two pretraining trials (45 and 65% ofV˙o 2 peak) and two posttraining trials [same absolute workload (65% of oldV˙o 2 peak; ABT) and same relative workload (65% of newV˙o 2 peak; RLT)] we...

The present studies were undertaken to develop solvent-free solid dispersions (SDs) for poorly soluble anti-inflammatory drugs mefenamic acid (MA) and flufenamic acid (FFA) in order to enhance their in vitro dissolution rate and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects. The SDs of MA and FFA were prepared using microwaves irradiation (MW) technique. Different carriers such as Pluronic F127® (PL), Eudr...

In vivo small doses of insulin inhibit lipolysis, lower plasma FFA, and stimulate glucose disposal. Lowering of plasma FFA, either in the absence of a change in insulin or during combined hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, promotes glucose uptake by heart muscle in vivo. In the isolated perfused heart, large doses of insulin directly stimulate heart glucose uptake. To assess the effect of phys...

Obese and lean subjects were given heparin with or without Intralipid in order to assess the effect of heparin on plasma concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) and oxidative metabolism. The FFA response depended on the triglyceride concentration and was associated with a prompt rise in oxygen consumption. Plasma catecholamines did not alter after heparin and the increase in oxygen uptake was p...

In rats treated chronically with norepinephrine and thyroxine, enhanced nonshivering thermogenesis was observed, with a concomitant increase in the utilization of plasma free fatty acids (FFA). The increased utilization of plasma FFA was characterized by a more preferential increment in the oxidation of FFA in tissues rather than that in the uptake of FFA by tissues. These biochemical findings ...