Global research trends in regulating gut microbiome to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus: bibliometrics and visual analysis.

Background: Gut microbiome (GM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have two-way effects. Improving T2DM by modulating GM in various ways, such as diet, exercise, and medication, is gradually becoming popular, and related studies have yielded positive results. However, there is still a lack of high-quality bibliometric analyses of research in this area. This study aims to systematize and comprehensively summarize the knowledge structure, research tropics, and research trends of GM and T2DM through bibliometric analysis. Methods: Publications related to GM and T2DM before January 9, 2024, in the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) were searched in this study. Microsoft Excel 2019 was used to analyze publishing trends and CiteSpace (v.6.1.R6 Advanced) was used to analyze institutions, cited journals, references, and keywords.SCImago Graphica (v.1.0.39) was used to analyze countries/regions, institutions' collaborations, cited authors, and published journals. Results: We finally included 1004 articles published from 2008 to 2023. The number of published articles showed an upward trend and reached its peak in 2022. China is the country with the largest number of articles, Univ Copenhagen is the institution with the largest number of articles, Fukui, Michiaki, Hamaguchi, Masahide are the scholars with the largest number of articles, and Cani and Patrice D. are the scholars with the largest number of citations. NUTRIENTS(Q1/5.9) published the most publications, while Nature (Q1/64.8; Cited 804 times) is the most frequently cited journal. Gut microbiota, Obesity, and insulin resistance are the most frequently used keywords. This study found that current researches focus on the effects of diet, exercise, and pharmacological modification of GM to improve T2DM and explores specific mechanisms. Future researches will focus on three areas: complications of T2DM and specific physiological processes, methods and measures to regulate GM, and new experimental techniques and assays. Conclusion: The current researches confirmed the effects and specific mechanisms of modulating GM to improve T2DM. Further exploration of the effects of modulating GM on T2DM complications and specific physiologic processes is a future trend of research. Exploring specific methods for regulating GM and developing new experimental techniques and assays are important for future research.

Mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of Xiaoyaosan in treating hyperplasia of mammary glands based on network pharmacology.

This study utilized network pharmacology to investigate the effects of Xiaoyaosan (XYS) on the intervention of hyperplasia of mammary glands (HMG) by targeting specific genes and signaling pathways. The active ingredients and targets of XYS, which consisted of 8 traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), were identified using TCMSP. The gene targets associated with HMG were obtained from the GeneCards Database, and the intersection data between the 2 was integrated. Cytoscape 3.8.1 software was used to construct a network diagram illustrating the relationship between compounds, drug active ingredients, target proteins, and the disease. The protein-protein interaction network diagram was generated using STRING, and the core targets were analyzed. A total of 133 active ingredients in XYS and 7662 active ingredient targets were identified. Among them, 6088 targets were related to HMG, and 542 were common targets between the active ingredients and the disease. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) core network contained 15 targets, with 5 key targets playing a crucial role. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses have indicated that XYS has the potential to treat HMG by interfering with the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications, the MAPK signaling pathway, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Additionally, molecular docking studies have shown excellent binding properties between the drug components and key targets. Thus, this study provides a theoretical foundation for a better understanding of the pharmacological mechanism and clinical application of XYS in the comprehensive treatment of HMG.

Acupuncture for metabolic syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is showing an epidemic trend worldwide, and its annual incidence is increasing. Conventional treatment options have limitations and it is necessary to develop new management strategies for MS. METHODS: Eligible randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) were screened by searching multiple Chinese and English databases. References to the included literature, gray literature in OpenGrey, and other relevant literature, such as clinical studies registered in ClinicalTrials.gov, were also manually searched. Relevant data were extracted, and meta-analysis was performed using Reviewer Manager 5.4. RESULTS: This study provides a high-quality review of the efficacy and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of MS, and provides a basis for the clinical application of acupuncture in the treatment of MS. CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of MS.

Integrin ß1 Increases Stem Cell Survival and Cardiac Function after Myocardial Infarction.

Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic approach for myocardial infarction (MI), but its application is limited by poor viability of BMSCs. In this study, we aimed to improve the survival of BMSCs by lentivirus vector mediated overexpression of integrin ß1. In vitro study showed that integrin ß1 overexpression could facilitate the proliferation of BMSCs under oxygen glucose deprivation condition and regulated the expression of Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, FAK, and ILK in BMSCs. Next, MI was induced in rat model and Igtb1BMSCs, NullBMSCs, or NatBMSCs were transplanted by intramyocardial injection. One week later, the survival of BMSCs was higher in Itgb1 BMSCs group than in other groups. Four weeks after transplantation, heart function was significantly improved in Igtb1BMSCs group compared to other groups. The expression levels of Caspase-3 and Bax were decreased while the expression levels of Bcl-2, FAK, ILK, and VEGF were increased in the cardiomyocytes of Igtb1BMSCs group compared to other groups. In conclusion, integrin ß1 overexpression could increase the survival of BMSCs and improve the efficacy of transplanted BMSCs for MI treatment. The beneficial effects may be mediated by inhibiting the apoptosis of both transplanted BMSCs and cardiomyocytes through adhesion-mediated cell survival signaling.