The effect of a thiamin derivative on exercise performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a thiamin derivative, thiamin tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD), on oxygen uptake (˙VO₂), lactate accumulation and cycling performance during exercise to exhaustion. Using a randomized, double-blind, cross-over design with a 10-day washout between trials, 14 subjects ingested either 1 g · day⁻¹ of TTFD or a placebo (PL) for 4 days. On day 3, subjects performed a progressive exercise test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer for the determination of ˙VO_2submax, ˙VO_2peak, lactate concentration ([La⁻ ]), lactate threshold (Th_La) and heart rate ( f _c). On day 4, subjects performed a maximal 2000-m time trial on a cycle ergometer. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures was used to determine significant differences between trials. There were no significant differences detected between trials for serial measures of ˙VO_2submax, [La⁻] or f _c. Likewise, ˙VO_2peak [PL 4.06 (0.19) TTFD 4.12 (0.19) l · min⁻¹, P = 0.83], Th_La [PL 2.47 (0.17), TTFD 2.43 (0.16) l · min⁻¹, P = 0.86] and 2000-m performance time [PL 204.5 (5.5), TTFD 200.9 (4.3) s, P = 0.61] were not significantly different between trials. The results of this study suggest that thiamin derivative supplementation does not influence high-intensity exercise performance. Accepted: 19 December 1996     

Thi20, a remarkable enzyme from Saccharomyces cerevisiae with dual thiamin biosynthetic and degradation activities

Saccharomyces cerevisiae Thi20 is a fusion protein with homology to Bacillus subtilis ThiD and TenA. The N-terminus of Thi20 has significant sequence homology to B. subtilis ThiD, while the C-terminus has homology to B. subtilis TenA. Incubation of Thi20 with thiamin reveals that it has thiaminase II activity, in addition, incubation of Thi20 with HMP (4-amino-2-methyl-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine) and ATP reveals that it has HMP kinase and HMP-P (4-amino-2-methyl-5-hydroxymethylpyrimidine phosphate) kinase activity. This demonstrates that Thi20 is a trifunctional protein with thiamin biosynthetic and degradative activity.     

Anthranilic acid release in adenosine-inhibited cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its inhibition by thiamin

Adenosine, at 1 mM concentrations or above, was found to have a fungistatic effect on Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A substance with amethyst fluorescence was detected in the medium of adenosine-inhibited cultures of S. cerevisiae. This compound was isolated and physicochemically identified as anthranilic acid. Both the inhibition of growth and release of anthranilic acid induced by adenosine were abrogated by thiamin or by the pyrimidine portion of thiamin, 2-methyl-4-amino-5-hdroxymethyl-pyrimidine (hydroxymethyl-pyrimidine); the latter was found to restore intracellular thiamin content that had been reduced by adenosine. It was demonstrated that effects of thiamin and hydroxymethylpyrimidine on S. cerevisiae cultured with adenosine resulted from their inhibition of adenosine uptake by growing yeast cells.     

Physiological responses to lysophosphatidic acid and related glycero-phospholipids

1-Acyl-2-hydroxy(lyso)-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid, LPA) has attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to the wide range of its biological effects that span the phylogenetic tree from slime mold to human. LPA can be viewed as a pleiotropic phospholipid growth factor that utilizes the same signal transduction mechanisms as traditional polypeptide growth factors; however, LPA activates these mechanism via specific G protein-coupled receptors. The concentration of LPA in serum is in the high micromolar range, making it the most abundant mitogen/survival factor present in serum, one that is often unknowingly utilized in tissue culture. The present review gives a historical perspective and a critical analysis of the LPA literature with a special emphasis on the physiological implications of its effects.     

Physiological responses to lysophosphatidic acid and related glycero-phospholipids

1-Acyl-2-hydroxy(lyso)-sn-glycero-3-phosphate (lysophosphatidic acid, LPA) has attracted a lot of attention in recent years due to the wide range of its biological effects that span the phylogenetic tree from slime mold to human. LPA can be viewed as a pleiotropic phospholipid growth factor that utilizes the same signal transduction mechanisms as traditional polypeptide growth factors; however, LPA activates these mechanism via specific G protein-coupled receptors. The concentration of LPA in serum is in the high micromolar range, making it the most abundant mitogen/survival factor present in serum, one that is often unknowingly utilized in tissue culture. The present review gives a historical perspective and a critical analysis of the LPA literature with a special emphasis on the physiological implications of its effects.     

Physiological and behavioural responses of Gammarus pulex exposed to acid stress

Physiological and behavioural responses of the acid-sensitive amphipod Gammarus pulex exposed to a wide range of acid conditions (pH 4.1, 5.1, 6.0) under laboratory conditions were investigated. An exposure of 38 h to acid conditions caused significant decreases in survival rate, osmolality, haemolymph Na+ concentration, ventilatory and locomotor activity compared to organisms exposed to a circumneutral medium (pH 7.9). We highlighted the interest of using individual response distribution, since drastic effects can be detected in organisms exposed to pH 6.0, in particular for osmolality: The response can be divided into two groups, unimpacted and impacted organisms. Moreover this representation permitted to evaluate the health level of individual organisms through the determination of threshold values. Significant correlations between mean pH and mean physiological/behavioural responses were observed. The relationships between individual responses permitted not only to compare endpoints, but also to show that affected organisms were impacted by ionoregulation failure, hypoventilation and low locomotor activity. The energetic reallocation in favour of maintenance functions, such as osmoregulation, is discussed. The results of this study indicate that the values of haemolymph Na+ concentration, osmolality and locomotor activity in G. pulex could be effective ecophysiological/behavioural markers to monitor freshwater ecosystems and to assess the health of organisms or populations.     

Acute pantothenic acid and cysteine supplementation does not affect muscle coenzyme A content, fuel selection, or exercise performance in healthy humans

Reduced skeletal muscle free coenzyme A (CoASH) availability may decrease the contribution of fat oxidation to ATP production during high-intensity, submaximal exercise or, alternatively, limit pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) flux and thereby carbohydrate oxidation. Here we attempted to increase the muscle CoASH pool in humans, via pantothenic acid and cysteine feeding, in order to elucidate the role of CoASH availability on muscle fuel metabolism during exercise. On three occasions, eight healthy male volunteers (age 22.9 ± 1.4 yr, body mass index 24.2 ± 1.5 kg/m(2)) cycled at 75% maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2max)) to exhaustion, followed by a 15-min work output performance test. Muscle biopsies were obtained at rest, and after 60 min and 91.3 ± 3.1 min of exercise (time to exhaustion on baseline visit) on each occasion. Two weeks following the first visit (baseline), 1 wk of oral supplementation with either 3 g/day of a placebo control (glucose polymer; CON) or 1.5 g/day each of d-pantothenic acid and l-cysteine (CP) was carried out prior to the second and third visits in a randomized, counterbalanced, double-blind manner, leaving a 3-wk gap in total between each visit. Resting muscle CoASH content was not altered by supplementation in any visit. Following 60 min of exercise, muscle CoASH content was reduced by 13% from rest in all three visits (P < 0.05), and similar changes in the respiratory exchange ratio, glycogenolysis (～235 mmol/kg dry muscle), PCr degradation (～57 mmol/kg dry muscle), and lactate (～25 mmol/kg dry muscle) and acetylcarnitine (～12 mmol(.)kg/dry muscle) accumulation was observed during exercise when comparing visits. Furthermore, no difference in work output was observed when comparing CON and CP. Acute feeding with pantothenic acid and cysteine does not alter muscle CoASH content and consequently does not impact on muscle fuel metabolism or performance during exercise in humans.     

酸胁迫下琥珀酸放线杆菌的生理及转录应答

【目的】通过琥珀酸放线杆菌Actinobacillus succinogenes CGMCC1593对酸胁迫的生理应答和转录组学分析,探究琥珀酸放线杆菌酸胁迫的机制。【方法】测定不同pH对细胞生长、H+-ATPase、细胞内pH的影响;测定酸胁迫前后细胞膜和谷氨酸脱氢酶的变化、谷氨酸对琥珀酸放线杆菌生长的影响;通过RNA-seq测序分析酸胁迫条件下的差异表达基因。【结果】随pH值的降低,细胞生长受抑制,H+-ATPase的活性下降。pH 4.7酸胁迫后,细胞膜受到严重损伤,谷氨酸对酸胁迫后的细胞有保护作用,GDH酶活响应酸胁迫后略有增加。酸胁迫后,39个基因差异表达较为显著,其中49%基因属于应激蛋白、转运蛋白,小部分基因与代谢相关。【结论】本文探究了琥珀酸放线杆菌酸胁迫下的生理及转录应答,研究结果可为寻找增强琥珀酸放线杆菌耐酸性策略提供参考。     

Physiological responses to prolonged treadmill walking with external loads

Limited information is available regarding the physiological responses to prolonged load carriage. This study determined the energy cost of prolonged treadmill walking (fixed distance of 12 km) at speeds of 1.10 m.s-1, 1.35 m.s-1, and 1.60 m.s-1, unloaded (clothing mass 5.2 kg) and with external loads of 31.5 and 49.4 kg. Fifteen male subjects performed nine trials in random order over a 6-week period. Oxygen uptake (VO2) was determined at the end of the first 10 min and every 20 min thereafter. A 10-min rest period was allowed following each 50 min of walking. No changes occurred in VO2 over time in the unloaded condition at any speed. The 31.5 and 49.4 kg loads, however, produced significant increases (ranging from 10 to 18%) at the two fastest and at all three speeds, respectively, even at initial exercise intensities less than 30% VO2max. In addition, the 49.4 kg load elicited a significantly higher (P less than 0.05) VO2 than did the 31.5 kg load at all speeds. The measured values of metabolic cost were also compared to those predicted using the formula of Pandolf et al. In trials where VO2 increased significantly over time, predicted values underestimated the actual metabolic cost during the final minute by 10-16%. It is concluded that energy cost during prolonged load carriage is not constant but increases significantly over time even at low relative exercise intensities. It is further concluded that applying the prediction model which estimates energy expenditure from short-term load carriage efforts to prolonged load carriage can result in significant underestimations of the actual energy cost.     

Synthesis with good enantiomeric excess of both enantiomers of alpha-ketols and acetolactates by two thiamin diphosphate-dependent decarboxylases

In addition to the decarboxylation of 2-oxo acids, thiamin diphosphate (ThDP)-dependent decarboxylases/dehydrogenases can also carry out so-called carboligation reactions, where the central ThDP-bound enamine intermediate reacts with electrophilic substrates. For example, the enzyme yeast pyruvate decarboxylase (YPDC, from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) or the E1 subunit of the Escherichia coli pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHc-E1) can produce acetoin and acetolactate, resulting from the reaction of the central thiamin diphosphate-bound enamine with acetaldehyde and pyruvate, respectively. Earlier, we had shown that some active center variants indeed prefer such a carboligase pathway to the usual one [Sergienko, Jordan, Biochemistry 40 (2001) 7369-7381; Nemeria et al., J. Biol. Chem. 280 (2005) 21,473-21,482]. Herein is reported detailed analysis of the stereoselectivity for forming the carboligase products acetoin, acetolactate, and phenylacetylcarbinol by the E477Q and D28A YPDC, and the E636A and E636Q PDHc-E1 active-center variants. Both pyruvate and beta-hydroxypyruvate were used as substrates and the enantiomeric excess was analyzed by a combination of NMR, circular dichroism and chiral-column gas chromatographic methods. Remarkably, the two enzymes produced a high enantiomeric excess of the opposite enantiomer of both acetoin-derived and acetolactate-derived products, strongly suggesting that the facial selectivity for the electrophile in the carboligation is different in the two enzymes. The different stereoselectivities exhibited by the two enzymes could be utilized in the chiral synthesis of important intermediates.     

Effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation on growth performance and hormonal and immune responses of piglets

The effects of dietary nucleotide supplementation from 9 days of age until the end of post-weaning on piglets hormonal and immune responses and on growth performance were investigated. During lactation (days 9 to 21) and post-weaning (days 22 to 55) 10 [HBI Fomeva11 × (Large White × Landrace)] litters (n = 108 piglets) had ad libitum access to two standard diets, both supplemented with 0% (T0 group) or 0.1% (T1 group) of yeast extract nucleotides. BW of piglets at days 21 (P < 0.10), 35 and 55 (P < 0.05) was greater in T1 compared with T0. Feed intake was not different between groups (P > 0.05). Cortisol content was lower in T1 than in T0 at days 28 and 35 (P < 0.05), whereas growth hormone was lower at day 35 (P < 0.05). Levels of IGF-1 were similar across groups (P > 0.05). Nucleotide-supplemented diets increased lymphocyte subpopulation CD4-CD8+high at days 21 and 35 (P < 0.05), whereas CD4+CD8- cells were higher in T1 than in T0 at day 21 (P < 0.05). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells cytokine expression was influenced by dietary nucleotide supplementation. At weaning, interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β expression was lower (P < 0.05) in T1 compared with T0, whereas the expression of interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-10 was higher (P < 0.05). At day 28, piglets in T1 showed higher values of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression than T0 and lower values of IL-10 expression (P < 0.05). Dietary nucleotide supplementation had a suppressive effect on IL-6 and IL-10 expression (P < 0.05) at day 35. On the contrary, the expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-1β was enhanced (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results suggest that starting a dietary nucleotide supplementation before weaning can improve the adaptive capabilities of weaned piglets to the stressors, enhancing the growth performance.     

Physiological responses of forest trees to heat and drought

The heat wave of summer 2003 was the largest and the most persistent ever experienced in Central Europe and has fuelled concern about the effects of climate change on European ecosystems. Since forests constitute the most important European ecosystems, in this review article we assess current knowledge on the effects of heat and drought on key metabolic processes for growth and productivity of forest trees. In particular, the general consequences of heat and drought on (1) photosynthesis and respiration at the cellular and community level, and (2) on nutrient uptake, partitioning and competition for nutrients are summarized. The latter are a major sink for photosynthetic energy and, therefore, are indirectly but strongly connected to the performance of photosynthesis. In addition, the interaction of heat and drought with stress compensation mechanisms and emission of biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOC) are discussed, since these processes are directly connected to carbon metabolism. Effects on the emission of BVOC are also included because they constitute an important feedback mechanism on ozone formation and, thus, on atmospheric pollution. As far as available, data collected during the 2003 heat wave are included and discussed.     

Improved performance and immunological responses as the result of dietary genistein supplementation of broiler chicks

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of supplemental genistein (an isoflavonoid) on performance, lymphoid organs’ development, and cellular and humoral immune responses in broiler chicks. A total of 675-day-old male broiler chicks (Ross 308) were randomly assigned to the five replicate pens (15 chicks each) of nine experimental diets. Dietary treatments included a negative (not-supplemented) control diet, two positive control groups (virginiamycin or zinc-bacitracin, 20 mg/kg), and diets containing 10, 20, 40, 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg of genistein. The cutaneous basophil hypersensivity (CBH) test was measured at day 10 of age after toe web injection with phytohemagglutinin-P. In addition, sera samples were collected after different antigen inoculations to investigate antibody responses. At day 28 of age, three randomly selected birds from each pen were euthanized to evaluate the relative weights of lymphoid organs. Results showed that dietary supplementation of both antibiotics increased (P<0.01) feed intake during 1 to 42 days of age. Furthermore, daily weight gain was influenced (P<0.01) by dietary treatments throughout the trial, so that the birds fed on antibiotics and 20 to 80 mg/kg genistein diets revealed the greater weight gains compared with other experimental groups. The best (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio assigned to the birds fed on diets containing antibiotics and moderate levels (40 to 80 mg/kg) of genistein. Although the relative weights of thymus (P<0.05) and bursa of Fabricius (P<0.01) were greater in birds fed on genistein-supplemented diets compared with antibiotics-supplemented birds, the spleen weight was not affected by experimental diets. Similarly, CBH response and antibody titers against Newcastle and infectious bronchitis disease viruses were markedly (P<0.05) greater in chicks fed on diets supplemented with 20 to 80 mg/kg of genistein. Interestingly, the higher dosages of genistein suppressed CBH and antibody responses to the levels seen by control and antibiotics chicks. Dietary inclusion of genistein increased (P<0.05) lymphocytes and subsequently reduced (P<0.01) heterophil to lymphocyte ratio. The present findings indicate that dietary genistein supplementation at the levels of 20 to 80 mg/kg not only improves growth performance, but also could beneficially affect immunological responses in broiler chicks.     

Physiological responses to cadmium stress in strawberry treated with pomegranate peel-activated carbon

Many reports have already been published regarding the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon. However, the biosorbents' effect on the plant response still needs further investigation. In this study, activated carbon derived from the pomegranate peel [pomegranate activated carbons (PAC)] was used to see the effects of the addition of PAC on growing strawberry in Cd-contaminated sand. Cd accumulation and toxicity to strawberry was investigated by measuring the concentration of Cd in plant tissues and various biochemical activities of plant. Our results suggested that PAC had a high sorption capacity for Cd. Strawberry plant tried to deal with the Cd-induced oxidative stress by strengthening its antioxidant competences and decreasing Cd absorption. In comparison with the control, PAC applied to the sand decreased the level of lipid peroxidation and enhanced the carotenoid content. The greater tolerance of strawberry toward the level of Cd due to the application of PAC was associated with improving the physical conditions of the soil, increasing the amounts of some essential elements and decreasing the level of Cd absorption. Gaviota strawberry cultivar exposed to 5 or 10 mg kg^?1 Cd was able to adopt a new metabolic equilibrium, allowing the plant to cope with this metal.     

镉胁迫下玉米幼苗生理生态的变化

用不同浓度Cd2 + 处理玉米种子 ,在室内常规培养 ,研究了种子萌发和幼苗生理生态的变化。结果表明 ,镉影响玉米种子的萌发和幼苗的生长。当Cd2 + 浓度高于 5 0mg·L-1时 ,显著抑制种子的发芽率 ;随Cd2 + 浓度的增加 ,根系长度和侧根数减小 ;在Cd2 + 浓度小于 5mg·L-1时 ,镉刺激苗高和根系及地上部干物质量增加 ,当Cd2 + 浓度超过相应浓度时 ,苗高和根系及地上部的生长量随Cd2 + 浓度提高而降低。镉胁迫下幼苗根系活力和叶绿素含量明显降低 ,根内丙二醛含量增加。镉影响玉米幼苗对矿质元素的吸收。根系和茎叶中Ca、Mg、Fe、Cu的吸收量随Cd2 + 浓度提高而增加 ,K、Zn的吸收量随Cd2 + 浓度提高而减少。     

Physiological and psychological responses in Fire Instructors to heat exposures

AimFire Service Instructors (FSI) are exposed to many repeated periods of high environmental temperatures when training firefighters. Such repeated exposures will impose significant strains on the function of instructors. We aimed to measure the effects of a training programme including repeated exposures to heat, termed “Wears” in the fire service, on the physiological, psychological some immunological markers of Fire Service Instructors.MethodsSix FSI and six physiologically matched controls completed blood and cardiovascular tests pre and post a 4 wk heat instruction training block, controls completed the tests only. FSI were given a 7 wk period of no heat exposure prior to starting the training. Physiological and perceptual measures were taken pre and post the first and last Wear of the 4 wk training protocol.ResultsThere were acute effects of a Wear on core temperature and physiological strain index, as well as measures of fatigue. The acute exposure to heat during a Wear led to a consistent decrease in CRP (−10% to −40%), increased IL6 concentrations 33–45%) as well as increased RPE and TSS. Over the training programme significantly lower quantities of white cells, particularly neutrophils, leukocytes and monocytes were found in the FSI group. Between the start and the end of the 4 week training programme the FSI showed a significantly greater physiological strain index (PSI) to the Wears, which nearly doubled from 2.5 to 4.7 (p<0.05).ConclusionPhysiological and psychological measures indicate that FSI may be experiencing symptoms and changes to their health consistent with an overtraining type condition.     

谷子对干旱胁迫的生理生态响应

干旱少雨严重限制了我国西北地区谷子的产量,为明确谷子响应干旱的生理特征,以干旱敏感谷子品种安04和不敏感品种豫谷1号以及xiaomi为材料,通过盆栽试验,研究了谷子不同生育期叶片光合参数、叶绿素含量、非结构性碳、β-淀粉酶基因表达对水分亏缺的响应。结果表明,正常水分条件下安04产量高于豫谷1号,干旱胁迫严重限制了两个谷子品种的产量形成,安04和豫谷1号分别减产71.2%和56.0%,豫谷1号产量显著高于安04。正常水分条件下,安04具有比豫谷1号更高的净光合速率（P<0.05）,干旱胁迫下,豫谷1号叶片净光合速率显著高于安04;叶片蒸腾速率结果同光合结果一致。干旱条件下,豫谷1号具有更高的叶片相对含水量。干旱胁迫显著降低了两个谷子品种花期的叶绿素a、叶绿素b及总叶绿素含量,且安04降低幅度均大于豫谷1号。干旱胁迫均显著增加了豫谷1号拔节期和开花期的叶片可溶性糖含量,而安04叶片可溶性糖含量并没有发生显著性变化,同时干旱胁迫显著增加了豫谷1号β-淀粉酶基因SiBAM1的表达水平。施用β-淀粉酶活性抑制剂α-环糊精,xiaomi叶片可溶性糖及脯氨酸含量显著降低,进一步加重了干旱对xiaomi的生长抑制。综上所述,干旱胁迫诱导谷子β-淀粉酶基因表达和β-淀粉酶活性升高从而水解淀粉形成可溶性糖,高可溶性糖含量对谷子提高抗旱性起重要作用。     

藜对干旱胁迫的生理生化反应

干旱是植物最易遭受的胁迫之一,每年由于干旱胁迫给农业造成损失几乎相当于其他所有环境因子胁迫所造成的损失的总和。通过人工控制水分模拟干旱来研究生长期的藜对干旱胁迫的生理生化反应,以期望为干旱农业的高效生产提供理论依据。以盆栽的藜为材料,用控制浇水的方法分对照、轻度胁迫、中度胁迫、重度胁迫4个组,研究了不同程度干旱胁迫对藜叶片的水分状况、渗透调节物质、活性氧代谢以及内生保护系统的影响。结果表明:在干旱胁迫下,藜叶片相对含水量(RW C)、自由水含量(FW C)下降,束缚水含量(BW C)上升;可溶性糖、脯氨酸、K 、C a2 含量增加,表现出藜对适度干旱有一定的适应性。但重度干旱胁迫,O2.产生速率和丙二醛(M DA)含量显著提高,导致膜损伤,质膜透性上升;超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化物酶(POD)活性先上升,后下降;抗坏血酸(A SA)含量降低。过分干旱胁迫对藜会造成一定伤害。     

Physiological and agronomical responses of common bean subjected to tryptophol

With the increasing global demand for food, fuel and fibre, the use of plant growth regulators in agriculture has become an agricultural practice aimed to improve physiological and productive responses. Our work aimed to evaluate the effect of tryptophol (Tol), a precursor of auxin, on common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The experiment was conducted in pots under greenhouse conditions, where we evaluated the Tol effect on bean crop under two different application forms: T_Soil – soil application of Tol (4.10^?4 mg L^?1) and T_Leaf – leaf tryptophol application (4.10^?4 mg L^?1), plus a reference treatment (0 mg L^?1 of Tol). We analysed the variables: shoot fresh and dry matter; root dry matter, area and volume; leaf macro and micronutrients; CO₂ net assimilation rate (A); stomatal conductance (g_S); internal CO₂ concentration (C_I); foliar transpiration (E); photosynthetic pigment content and some crop production attributes. The application of Tol through the foliar pathway proved to be more advantageous because it improved the shoot fresh and dry matter, increased the root volume and area, favoured less foliar transpiration and improved the length of pods, while the application of Tol in soil induced higher nitrogen accumulation in leaves. Our observations allow the characterization of Tol as a bioactive metabolite, suggesting an important potential for use in agricultural systems.