| 1. |
- Becirovic-Agic, Mediha, et al.
(författare)
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Time course of decompensation after angiotensin II and high-salt diet in Balb/CJ mice suggests pulmonary hypertension-induced cardiorenal syndrome
- 2019
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology. - : the American Physiological Society. - 0363-6119 .- 1522-1490. ; 316:5, s. R563-R570
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The genetic background of a mouse strain determines its susceptibility to disease. C57BL/6J and Balb/CJ are two widely used inbred mouse strains that we found react dramatically differently to angiotensin II and high-salt diet (ANG II + Salt). Balb/CJ show increased mortality associated with anuria and edema formation while C57BL/6J develop arterial hypertension but do not decompensate and die. Clinical symptoms of heart failure in Balb/CJ mice gave the hypothesis that ANG II + Salt impairs cardiac function and induces cardiac remodeling in male Balb/CJ but not in male C57BL/6J mice. To test this hypothesis, we measured cardiac function using echocardiography before treatment and every day for 7 days during treatment with ANG II + Salt. Interestingly, pulsed wave Doppler of pulmonary artery flow indicated increased pulmonary vascular resistance and right ventricle systolic pressure in Balb/CJ mice, already 24 h after ANG II + Salt treatment was started. In addition, Balb/CJ mice showed abnormal diastolic filling indicated by reduced early and late filling and increased isovolumic relaxation time. Furthermore, Balb/CJ exhibited lower cardiac output compared with C57BL/6J even though they retained more sodium and water, as assessed using metabolic cages. Left posterior wall thickness increased during ANG II + Salt treatment but did not differ between the strains. In conclusion, ANG II + Salt treatment causes early restriction of pulmonary flow and reduced left ventricular filling and cardiac output in Balb/CJ, which results in fluid retention and peripheral edema. This makes Balb/CJ a potential model to study the adaptive capacity of the heart for identifying new disease mechanisms and drug targets.
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| 2. |
- Caraballo, Remi, et al.
(författare)
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Structure-activity relationships for lipoprotein lipase agonists that lower plasma triglycerides in vivo
- 2015
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Ingår i: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : Elsevier. - 0223-5234 .- 1768-3254. ; 103, s. 191-209
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The risk of cardiovascular events increases in individuals with elevated plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, therefore advocating the need for efficient TG-lowering drugs. In the blood circulation, TG levels are regulated by lipoprotein lipase (LPL), an unstable enzyme that is only active as a non-covalently associated homodimer. We recently reported on a N-phenylphthalimide derivative (1) that stabilizes LPL in vitro, and moderately lowers triglycerides in vivo (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Common. 2014, 450, 1063). Herein, we establish structure activity relationships of 51 N-phenylphthalimide analogs of the screening hit 1. In vitro evaluation highlighted that modifications on the phthalimide moiety were not tolerated and that lipophilic substituents on the central phenyl ring were functionally essential. The substitution pattern on the central phenyl ring also proved important to stabilize LPL However, in vitro testing demonstrated rapid degradation of the phthalimide fragment in plasma which was addressed by replacing the phthalimide scaffold with other heterocyclic fragments. The in vitro potency was retained or improved and substance 80 proved stable in plasma and efficiently lowered plasma TGs in vivo. 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Hellström, Martin, et al.
(författare)
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Cardiac hypertrophy and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in Lrig3-deficient mice
- 2016
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 0363-6119 .- 1522-1490. ; 310:11, s. R1045-R1052
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genetic factors confer risk for cardiovascular disease. Recently, large genome-wide population studies have shown associations between genomic loci close to LRIG3 and heart failure and plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level. Here, we ablated Lrig3 in mice and investigated the importance of Lrig3 for heart function and plasma lipid levels. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to analyze Lrig3 expression in the hearts of wild-type and Lrig3-deficient mice. In addition, molecular, physiological, and functional parameters such as organ weights, heart rate, blood pressure, heart structure and function, gene expression in the heart, and plasma insulin, glucose, and lipid levels were evaluated. The Lrig3-deficient mice were smaller than the wild-type mice but otherwise appeared grossly normal. Lrig3 was expressed at detectable but relatively low levels in adult mouse hearts. At 9 mo of age, ad libitum-fed Lrig3-deficient mice had lower insulin levels than wildtype mice. At 12 mo of age, Lrig3-deficient mice exhibited increased blood pressure, and the Lrig3-deficient female mice displayed signs of cardiac hypertrophy as assessed by echocardiography, heart-to-body weight ratio, and expression of the cardiac hypertrophy marker gene Nppa. Additionally, Lrig3-deficient mice had reduced plasma HDL cholesterol and free glycerol. These findings in mice complement the human epidemiological results and suggest that Lrig3 may influence heart function and plasma lipid levels in mice and humans.
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| 5. |
- Jönsson, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Angiotensin II and salt-induced decompensation in Balb/CJ mice is aggravated by fluid retention related to low oxidative stress
- 2019
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1931-857X .- 1522-1466. ; 316:5, s. F914-F933
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Balb/CJ mice are more sensitive to treatment with angiotensin II (ANG II) and high-salt diet compared with C57BL/6J mice. Together with higher mortality, they develop edema, signs of heart failure, and acute kidney injury. The aim of the present study was to identify differences in renal gene regulation that may affect kidney function and fluid balance, which could contribute to decompensation in Balb/CJ mice after ANG II + salt treatment. Male Balb/CJ and C57BL/6J mice were divided into the following five different treatment groups: control, ANG II, salt, ANG II + salt. and ANG II + salt + N-acetylcysteine. Gene expression microarrays were used to explore differential gene expression after treatment and between the strains. Published data from the Mouse Genome Database were used to identify the associated genomic differences. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was measured using inulin clearance, and fluid balance was measured using metabolic cages. Gene ontology enrichment analysis of gene expression microarrays identified glutathione transferase (antioxidant system) as highly enriched among differentially expressed genes. Balb/CJ mice had similar GFR compared with C57BL/6J mice but excreted less Na+ and water, although net fluid and electrolyte balance did not differ, suggesting that Balb/CJ mice may be inherently more prone to decompensation. Interestingly, C57BL/6J mice had higher urinary oxidative stress despite their relative protection from decompensation. In addition, treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine decreased oxidative stress in C57BL/6J mice, reduced urine excretion, and increased mortality. Balb/CJ mice are more sensitive than C57BL/6J to ANG II + salt, in part mediated by lower oxidative stress, which favors fluid and Na+ retention.
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| 6. |
- Mosti, Mats Peder, et al.
(författare)
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The PPARα Agonist Fenofibrate Improves the Musculoskeletal Effects of Exercise in Ovariectomized Rats
- 2016
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Ingår i: Endocrinology. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0013-7227 .- 1945-7170. ; 157:10, s. 3924-3934
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The musculoskeletal effects of exercise are attenuated by estrogen deficiency. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α agonist fenofibrate exerts beneficial effects in bone and muscle. We therefore examined whether fenofibrate could enhance the musculoskeletal training response during estrogen deficiency. We investigated the combined effects of 8 weeks of fenofibrate and jumping exercise in ovariectomized (OVX) Sprague Dawley rats. Female rats were allocated to a sham-operated group and four OVX groups; fenofibrate (OVX-Fen), exercise (OVX-Ex), combined fenofibrate and exercise (OVX-FenEx), and a control group (OVX-Ctr) (n = 12/group). Fenofibrate (90 mg/kg/d) or methylcellulose was given by gavage. The combination of exercise and fenofibrate resulted in enhanced femoral bone mineral density (BMD) and improved bone microarchitecture compared with fenofibrate alone as well as increased trabecular BMD compared with OVX-Ctr. These effects were not seen in the OVX-Ex group. Femoral BMD was normalized in both exercise groups relative to sham and increased more in all intervention groups compared with OVX-Ctr. A higher plasma level of the bone formation marker type 1 collagen amino propeptide was observed in the OVX-Fen and OVX-FenEx groups compared with controls. Lean mass and soleus muscle weight were higher in the OVX-FenEx group than in the OVX-Ctr group, which coincided with lower mRNA levels of Atrogin1. These results suggest that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α activation improves the musculoskeletal effects of exercise during estrogen deficiency.
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| 7. |
- Nilsson, Jessica, et al.
(författare)
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A low-carbohydrate high-fat diet decreases lean mass and impairs cardiac function in pair-fed female C57BL/6J mice
- 2016
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Ingår i: Nutrition & Metabolism. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1743-7075. ; 13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Excess body fat is a major health issue and a risk factor for the development of numerous chronic diseases. Low-carbohydrate diets like the Atkins Diet are popular for rapid weight loss, but the long-term consequences remain the subject of debate. The Scandinavian low-carbohydrate high-fat (LCHF) diet, which has been popular in Scandinavian countries for about a decade, has very low carbohydrate content (~5 E %) but is rich in fat and includes a high proportion of saturated fatty acids. Here we investigated the metabolic and physiological consequences of a diet with a macronutrient composition similar to the Scandinavian LCHF diet and its effects on the organs, tissues, and metabolism of weight stable mice.METHODS: Female C57BL/6J mice were iso-energetically pair-fed for 4 weeks with standard chow or a LCHF diet. We measured body composition using echo MRI and the aerobic capacity before and after 2 and 4 weeks on diet. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography before and after 4 weeks on diet. The metabolic rate was measured by indirect calorimetry the fourth week of the diet. Mice were sacrificed after 4 weeks and the organ weight, triglyceride levels, and blood chemistry were analyzed, and the expression of key ketogenic, metabolic, hormonal, and inflammation genes were measured in the heart, liver, and adipose tissue depots of the mice using real-time PCR.RESULTS: The increase in body weight of mice fed a LCHF diet was similar to that in controls. However, while control mice maintained their body composition throughout the study, LCHF mice gained fat mass at the expense of lean mass after 2 weeks. The LCHF diet increased cardiac triglyceride content, impaired cardiac function, and reduced aerobic capacity. It also induced pronounced alterations in gene expression and substrate metabolism, indicating a unique metabolic state.CONCLUSIONS: Pair-fed mice eating LCHF increased their percentage of body fat at the expense of lean mass already after 2 weeks, and after 4 weeks the function of the heart deteriorated. These findings highlight the urgent need to investigate the effects of a LCHF diet on health parameters in humans.
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| 8. |
- Nyrén, Rakel, et al.
(författare)
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Lipoprotein lipase in mouse kidney : effects of nutritional status and high-fat diet
- 2019
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physiology - Renal Physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1931-857X .- 1522-1466. ; 316:3, s. F558-F571
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Activity of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is high in mouse kidney, but the reason is poorly understood. The aim was to characterize localization, regulation, and function of LPL in kidney of C57BL/6J mice. We found LPL mainly in proximal tubules, localized inside the tubular epithelial cells, under all conditions studied. In fed mice, some LPL, colocalized with the endothelial markers CD31 and GPIHBP1 and could be removed by perfusion with heparin, indicating a vascular location. The role of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) for nutritional modulation of LPL activity was studied in wild-type and Angptl4-/- mice. In Angptl4-/- mice, kidney LPL activity remained high in fasted animals, indicating that ANGPTL4 is involved in suppression of LPL activity on fasting, like in adipose tissue. The amount of ANGPTL4 protein in kidney was low, and the protein appeared smaller in size, compared with ANGPTL4 in heart and adipose tissue. To study the influence of obesity, mice were challenged with high-fat diet for 22 wk, and LPL was studied after an overnight fast compared with fasted mice given food for 3 h. High-fat diet caused blunting of the normal adaptation of LPL activity to feeding/fasting in adipose tissue, but in kidneys this adaptation was lost only in male mice. LPL activity increases to high levels in mouse kidney after feeding, but as no difference in uptake of chylomicron triglycerides in kidneys is found between fasted and fed states, our data confirm that LPL appears to have a minor role for lipid uptake in this organ.
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| 9. |
- Signoret, Carine, 1981-, et al.
(författare)
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Well-Being of Early-Career Researchers: Insights from a Swedish Survey
- 2019
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Ingår i: Higher Education Policy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0952-8733 .- 1740-3863. ; 32:2, s. 273-296
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Several studies have documented the importance of optimal work situation and the general well-being of early-career researchers (ECRs) for enhancing the academic performance of universities. Yet, most studies focused on specific categories of ECRs, or on specific academic disciplines as well as on specific outcomes. With this study, we recognize the need for a broader sample encompassing different categories of ECRs across academic disciplines. In a national survey of Swedish universities, the National Junior Faculty of Sweden (NJF) collected data from ECRs in order to study the influence of work situation and well-being on perceived scientific environment. We observed that work situation and well-being are interdependent and jointly influence each other in shaping the conditions for ideal scientific environment. Importantly, we employ structural equation model (SEM) analysis to account for the endogenous relationship between work situation and personal well-being in predicting perceived scientific environment. Results from SEM indicate that support from the university, work time management, job clarity, contract length and quality of life satisfaction were related to the perceivedpossibility of conducting the best science. Our research also highlighted individual differences across demographic factors and contract length in the perceived work situation and the possibility of conducting the best science.
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| 10. |
- Steneberg, Pär, et al.
(författare)
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PAN-AMPK activator O304 improves glucose homeostasis and microvascular perfusion in mice and type 2 diabetes patients
- 2018
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Ingår i: JCI INSIGHT. - : American Society for Clinical Investigation. - 2379-3708. ; 3:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AMPK activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master regulator of energy homeostasis, is activated in response to an energy shortage imposed by physical activity and caloric restriction. We here report on the identification of PAN-AMPK activator O304, which - in diet-induced obese mice - increased glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, reduced beta cell stress, and promoted beta cell rest. Accordingly, O304 reduced fasting plasma glucose levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in a proof-of-concept phase IIa clinical trial in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients on Metformin. T2D is associated with devastating micro-and macrovascular complications, and O304 improved peripheral microvascular perfusion and reduced blood pressure both in animals and T2D patients. Moreover, like exercise, O304 activated AMPK in the heart, increased cardiac glucose uptake, reduced cardiac glycogen levels, and improved left ventricular stroke volume in mice, but it did not increase heart weight in mice or rats. Thus, O304 exhibits a great potential as a novel drug to treat T2D and associated cardiovascular complications.
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