Debasish Roy

VIT University | VIT · Division of Biomedical Sciences

In mammals, leptin production in adipocytes is up-regulated by feeding and insulin. Although this regulatory connection is central to all physiological effects of leptin, it’s molecular mechanism remains unknown. Here, we show that the transcription factor Egr1 is rapidly but transiently induced by insulin in adipose cells both in vitro and in vivo...

The breakdown of stored fat deposits into its components is a highly regulated process that maintains plasma levels of free fatty acids to supply energy to cells. Insulin-mediated transcription of Atgl, the enzyme that mediates the rate-limiting step in lipolysis, is a key point of this regulation. In conditions such as obesity or insulin resistanc...

Naringenin, the predominant bioflavonoid found in grapefruit and tomato has diverse bioactive properties that encompass anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherogenic, anti-estrogenic, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-hyperglycemic characteristics. Naringenin has not been explored for its pro-longevity traits in fruit flies. Therefore, the curr...

A protocol to efficiently assess Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels in yeast cells using H2DCF-DA is described here. This method employs lithium acetate to permeate the cell wall, and thus, augments the release of the fluorescent product, dichlorofluorescein from the cells. This protocol obviates the need for both physical and enzymatic lysis met...

Drosophila melanogaster is an ideal model organism for developmental studies. This study tests the potential of semolina-jaggery (SJ) diet as a new formulation for bulk rearing of flies. Semolina and jaggery are organic products obtained from wheat endosperm and cane sugar, respectively. Semolina is a rich source of carbohydrates and protein. Jagge...

Endoplasmic reticulum stress elicits unfolded protein response to counteract the accumulating unfolded protein load inside a cell. The chemical chaperone, 4-Phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) is a FDA approved drug that alleviates endoplasmic reticulum stress by assisting protein folding. It is found efficacious to augment pathological conditions like type...

Adipose tissue secretes adipokines that regulate insulin sensitivity in adipocytes and other peripheral tissues critical to glucose metabolism. Insulin resistance is associated with severe alterations in adipokines characterized by release of increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines from adipose tissue. The rol...

Adipose tissue secretes adipokines that regulate insulin sensitivity in adipocytes and other peripheral tissues critical to glucose metabolism. Insulin resistance is associated with severe alterations in adipokines characterized by release of increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased anti-inflammatory cytokines from adipose tissue. The rol...

Human maltase glucoamylase (MGAM) is a potent molecular target for controlling post prandial glucose surplus in type 2 diabetes. Binding of small molecules from Syzygium sp. with α-glucosidase inhibitory potential in MGAM has been investigated in silico. Our results suggest that myricetin was the most potent inhibitor with high binding affinity for...