“
“L-Gulose is a very rare sugar, but appears as a sugar component of the main polar lipids characteristic in such a thermophilic archaeon as Thermoplasma acidophilum that lives without cell BIIB057 solubility dmso walls in a highly acidic environment. The biosynthesis of L-gulose in this thermophilic organism was investigated with

deuterium-labeling experiments. L-Gulose was found to be biosynthesized from D-glucose via stepwise stereochemical inversion at C-2 and C-5. The involvement of an epimerase related to GDP-mannose 3,5-epimerase, the key enzyme of plant ascorbate biosynthesis, was also suggested in this C-5 inversion. The resemblance of L-gulose biosynthesis in archaea and plants might be suggested from these results.”
“Objective: The aim of this study was to correlate specific fatty acid profiles of visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) with inflammatory signatures potentially associated with colorectal cancer (CRC).\n\nMethods: Human adipocytes

were isolated from biopsies of visceral WAT from 24 subjects subdivided Rigosertib research buy in four groups: normal-weight (BMI 22.0-24.9 Kg/m(2)) and over-weight/obese (BMI 26.0-40.0 Kg/m(2)), affected or not by CRC. To define whether obesity and/or CRC affect the inflammatory status of WAT, the activation of the pro-inflammatory STAT3 and the anti-inflammatory PPAR gamma transcription factors as well as the expression of adiponectin were analyzed by immunoblotting in adipocytes isolated from each group of subjects. Furthermore, to evaluate whether differences in inflammatory MK-4827 purchase WAT environment correlate with specific fatty acid profiles, gas-chromatographic analysis was carried out on WAT collected from all subject categories. Finally, the effect of the omega 3 docosahexaenoic acid treatment on the balance between pro-and anti-inflammatory factors in adipocytes was also evaluated.\n\nResults: We provide the first evidence for the existence of a pro-inflammatory environment in WAT of CRC patients, as assessed by the up-regulation of STAT3, and the concomitant decrease of PPAR. and adiponectin with respect to healthy subjects. WAT inflammatory status was independent

of obesity degree but correlated with a decreased omega 3-/omega 6-polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio. These observations suggested that qualitative changes, other than quantitative ones, in WAT fatty acid may influence tissue dysfunctions potentially linked to inflammatory conditions. This hypothesis was further supported by the finding that adipocyte treatment with docosahexaenoic acid restored the equilibrium between STAT3 and PPAR gamma.\n\nConclusion: Our results suggest that adipocyte dysfunctions occur in CRC patients creating a pro-inflammatory environment that might influence cancer development. Furthermore, the protective potential of docosahexaenoic acid in re-establishing the equilibrium between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors might represent a useful tool for preventive and therapeutic strategies.