Snapshot of microglial physiological functions

MICROGLIAL GLUTAMATE TRANSPORTERS Regulation of Expression and Possible Physiological Functions

Microglia are considered as the immunocompetent cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Being the first line of defence, they have prominent roles in monitoring the homeostasis and the extracellular milieu and can rapidly and specifically react to any disturbances such as brain trauma, ischemia, neurodegenerative diseases, or infections. Microglia are normally adapted to a resting state, but...

Glutamine’s Physiological Functions

From the perspective of nutritional science, glutamine, like arginine, is not an essential amino acid. Nevertheless, glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body. Glutamine plays major roles in accelerating muscle metabolism, in preserving muscle, in promoting wound healing and in cell proliferation. It also serves as the nutritional source for gastrointestinal cells and as the major e...

Genetic Evaluation of Physiological Functions

Linking physiological functions of iron.

Virtually all aerobic organisms synthesize heme, an iron protoporphyrin complex that functions as an oxygen transporter and electron carrier in multiple enzymes and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes. Heme is synthesized by a highly conserved multistep process, beginning with the condensation of glycine and succinyl-CoA by ALA synthase (ALAS) to form 5-aminolevulinic acid, and continuing...

Novel physiological functions of oligosaccharides*

This paper reviews the evidence for novel physiological functions of oligosaccharides. A history of the research and development and the types of health benefits are discussed. A key property of the physiological functions lies in the indigestibility of oligosaccharides, which gives rise to fermentation in the large intestine, followed by an increase of Bifidobacteria and short-chain fatty acid...