Immunological alterations, endothelial dysfunction, and insulin resistance characterize preeclampsia. Endothelial cells hold the key role in the pathogenesis of this disease. The signaling pathways mediating these biological abnormalities converge on PKB/Akt, an intracellular kinase regulating cell survival, proliferation, and metabolism. Inositol second messengers are involved in metabolic and...

1. The metabolism of 5-hydroxy[1'-(14)C]tryptamine creatinine sulphate in the nuclear fraction of rat-liver homogenate was studied. In the incubation mixture five metabolites were found. 2. Two metabolites were not radioactive; one of them was identified as 5-hydroxyindole-3-carboxylic acid and the second tentatively as 5-hydroxyindole-3-aldehyde. 3. 5-Hydroxyindol-3-ylacetic acid, 1'-N-acetyl-...

This review covers some trends and approaches to the study of inorganic polyphosphates that originated from the fruitful ideas and pioneering works of A. N. Belozersky. This is, first of all, the elucidation of a close relationship between these biopolymers and nucleic acids in organisms at different evolutionary stages; second, the study of "fossil" reactions in polyphosphate metabolism that p...

Diffusion of solutes and macromolecules in aqueous cellular compartments is required for numerous cellular processes including metabolism, second messenger signaling and protein-protein interactions. The view of the cell interior has evolved from that of a viscous gel to that of a watery but crowded compartment. Recent measurements of fluorescent probe diffusion using photobleaching, correlatio...

Sequential measurements of brain glucose metabolism were carried out in a patient with Wilson's disease, before and after successful treatment with D-penicillamine. They demonstrate an evolution of regional metabolism consistent with clinical improvement. The first study showed marked hypometabolism in the putamen on both sides. The second analysis showed bilateral improvement, with predominant...

Changes in high-energy phosphate metabolism may be important in the regulation of myocardial contractile function during ischemia. This study sought to determine the dynamic relation between myocardial contractile function and high-energy phosphate metabolism during and following brief (24-second) coronary occlusion, when large and rapid changes in both parameters occur. Eight anesthetized, ope...

Bioactive sphingolipids are engaged with numerous cellular processes such as cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Sphingolipid metabolism in heart is regulated by physical exercise and PPARs. Ceramide, the main second messenger of sphingomyelin pathway of signal transduction, was found to be involved in development of cardiac dysfunction after ischemia/reperfusion. On the other ha...

Electrochemistry in combination with mass spectrometry is emerging as a versatile analytical technique in the imitation of oxidative drug metabolism during the early stages of drug discovery and development. Here, we present electrochemical O-dealkylation of phenacetin to acetaminophen by square-wave potential pulses consisting of consecutive sub-second oxidation and reduction steps. This O-dea...