Effects of fluctuating glucose concentrations on oxidative metabolism of glucose in cultured neurons and astroglia

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of hyperglycemia on glucose metabolism of brain cells. Not only a sustained hyperglycemic state, but also a fluctuating plasma glucose concentration has been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic angiopathy. Acutely increasing plasma glucose levels have not been reported to alter glucose utilization of the brain as a whole. In the present study, we examined the effects of chronic (3 weeks) or short-term (24-hour) exposure to a high glucose concentration on the oxidative metabolism of neurons and astroglia. Cells were prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats and cultured in the presence of a high (22 mM) or low (5 mM) concentration of glucose. The high or low glucose media did not alter either the rates of [14C]deoxyglucose phosphorylation (an indicator of total glucose utilization) or [14C]lactate and [14C]pyruvate oxidation (indicators of oxidative glucose metabolism) in neurons. In contrast, chronic or short-term exposure to a high glucose concentration resulted in significant decreases in oxidation of [14C]acetate, an astrocyte-specific reporter molecule, or [14C]lactate and [14C]pyruvate oxidation in the astroglia. Thus, either chronic or short-term increases in the glucose concentration suppressed oxidative metabolism only in astroglia, indicating neuro-protective roles against hyperglycemic brain cell injury in diabetes mellitus. These different responses of neurons and astroglia may also shed new light on brain energy metabolism in diabetic patients with either chronic high or fluctuating plasma glucose concentrations.

Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1-immunoreactive signals in murine enteric glial cells

AIM To investigate the possible involvement of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1(TRPV1) in maturation of enteric glial cells(EGCs).METHODS Immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical techniques were used to analyze EGC markers in myenteric plexus(MP) as well as cultured MP cells and EGCs using TRPV1 knockout(KO) mice.RESULTS We detected TRPV1-immunoreactive signals in EGC in the MP of wild-type(WT) but not KO mice. Expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) immunoreactive signals was lower at postnatal day(PD) 6 in KO mice, though the difference was not clear at PD 13 and PD 21. When MP cells were isolated and cultured from isolated longitudinal muscle-MP preparation from WT and KO mice, the yield of KO EGC was lower than that of WT EGC, while the yield of KO and WT smooth muscle cells showed no difference. Addition of BCTC, a TRPV1 antagonist, to enriched EGC culture resulted in a decrease in the protein ratio of GFAP to S100 B, another EGC/astrocyte-specific marker. CONCLUSION These results address the possibility that TRPV1 may be involved in the maturation of EGC, though further studies are necessary to validate this possibility.

Cilostazol Enhances Oxidative Glucose Metabolism in Both Neurons and Astroglia without Increasing Ros Production

Cilostazol, a potent inhibitor of type 3 phosphodiesterase (PDE3), has recently been reported to exert neuroprotective effects during acute cerebral ischemic injury. These effects are, at least in part, mediated by the inhibition of oxidative cell death. However, the effects of cilostazol on glucose metabolism in brain cells have not been determined. In the present study, we examined the effects of cilostazol on the oxidative metabolism of glucose and the resultant formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cultured neurons and astroglia. Cultures of neurons or astroglia were prepared from Sprague-Dawley rats. The cells were treated with cilostazol (0 – 30 μM) for 48 hours prior to the assay. L-[U-14C]lactate ([14C]lactate) or [1-14C]pyruvate ([14C]pyruvate) oxidation was measured. ROS production was determined using an H2DCFDA assay with a microplate reader. Forty-eight hours of exposure to cilostazol resulted in dose-dependent increases in [14C]lactate and [14C]pyruvate oxidation in both the neurons and astroglia. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (0 – 0.5 mM) also increased [14C]lactate oxidation, indicating cAMP-mediated PDH activation. In contrast, free radical formation was not affected by cilostazol in either the neurons or astroglia. Cilostazol enhanced the oxidative metabolism of glucose in both neurons and astroglia, while it did not augment ROS production.

Hierarchical structures hydrogel evaporator and superhydrophilic water collect device for efficient solar steam evaporation

Efficient light absorption and trapping are of vital importance for the solar water evaporation by hydrogel-based photothermal conversion materials.Conventional strategies are focused on the development of the composition and structure of the hydrogers internal network.In our point of view,the importance of the surface structure of hydrogel has usually been underestimated or ignored.Here inspired by the excellent absorbance and water transportation ability of biological surface structure,the hierarchical structured hydrogel evaporators(HSEs)increased the light absorption,trapping,water transportation and water-air interface,which is the beneficial photothermal conversion and water evaporation.The HSEs showed a rapid evaporation rate of 1.77 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)at about 92%energy efficiency under one sun(1 kW·m^(-2)).Furthermore,the superhydrophilic window device was used in this work to collect the condensed water,which avoids the light-blocking caused by the water mist formed by the small droplets and the problem of the droplets stick on the device dropping back to the bulk water.Integrated with the excellent photothermal conversion hydrogel and superhydrophilic window equipment,this work provides efficient evaporation and desalination of hydrogel-based solar evaporators in practical large-scale applications.

Hydrogel photocatalysts for efficient energy conversion and environmental treatment

Photocatalysts have attracted great research interest owing to their excellent properties and potential for simultaneously addressing challenges related to energy needs and environmental pollution.Photocatalytic particles need to be in contact with their respective media to exhibit efficient photocatalytic performances.However,it is difficult to separate nanometer-sized photocatalytic materials from reaction media later,which may lead to secondary pollution and a poor recycling performance.Hydrogel photocatalysts with a three-dimensional(3D)network structures are promising support materials for photocatalysts based on features such as high specific surface areas and adsorption capacities and good environmental compatibility.In this review,hydrogel photocatalysts are classified into two different categories depending on their elemental composition and recent progresses in the methods for preparing hydrogel photocatalysts are summarized.Moreover,current applications of hydrogel photocatalysts in energy conversion and environmental remediation are reviewed.Furthermore,a comprehensive outlook and highlight future challenges in the development of hydrogel photocatalysts are presented.