Short- and long-term outcomes after conversion of laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer: a single-center study.

PURPOSE: Conversion of laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer has been fully studied. However, no study has investigated conversion of laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer. We evaluated the effect of conversion to open total gastrectomy on short- and long-term outcomes among patients who underwent laparoscopic total gastrectomy for gastric cancer and identified factors predictive of survival. METHODS: A prospective database of consecutive laparoscopic total gastrectomies for gastric cancer was reviewed. Patients who required conversion (converted group) were compared with those who had completed laparoscopic total gastrectomy (completed group). Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare and analyze survival. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of poor survival. RESULTS: The conversion rate was 17.4%, and the most common reason for conversion was a locally advanced tumor. Conversion was associated with significantly longer operative time and greater blood loss. No differences were observed in terms of postoperative morbidity or mortality between the converted and completed patients. The converted group had significantly worse 5-year overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Univariate analysis showed that conversion to open total gastrectomy, pathological (p) T4 disease, and pathological N2-N3 disease were significant risk factors for OS and DFS. In multivariate analysis, pT4 cancer was the only independent predictor of DFS and OS. CONCLUSION: Conversion to open total gastrectomy per se was not associated with worse short-term outcomes or worse long-term survival.

The effect of rhG-CSF on spleen transcriptome in mouse leukopenia model induced by cyclophosphamide.

CONTEXT: RhG-CSF significantly elevates the otherwise reduced numbers of leukocytes following chemotherapy. However, prior work has predominantly focused on the effect of rhG-CSF on the hematopoietic system, and few studies have focused on the immune system. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the effect of rhG-CSF on the immune system transcriptome in a mouse leukopenia model that was induced by cyclophosphamide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cyclophosphamide leukopenia model was established in C57BL/6 mice, which were randomly divided into a normal control group (CK), a cyclophosphamide model group (CY) and a rhG-CSF treatment group (rhG-CSF). After 3 d of rhG-CSF treatment, a mouse gene expression microarray enabled evaluation of changes in the transcriptome in the mouse spleen. RESULTS: About 3552 differentially expressed genes occurred among the three experimental groups, of which 74.9% (2659) concentrated on three gene expression patterns. Gene ontology and pathway analysis of 2659 differential genes showed that early in treatment when leukocyte counts remained low, rhG-CSF recovered the transcription of genes that were related to DNA damage repair and metabolism of nucleotides and amino acids. By contrast, rhG-CSF inhibited the transcription of genes involved in transendothelial migration and endocytosis, and dampened the transcription of genes associated with cell proliferation as compared with the CY group. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that rhG-CSF recovered metabolism in immune cells, suppressed in vivo immune defense, and attenuated immune cell proliferation in a cyclophosphamide induced leukopenia model. Use of gene expression microarrays can macroscopically and systematically inform the mechanism of rhG-CSF on immune cells.

[In vitro study on gastrointestinal absorption of FITC labeled pilose antler protein extraction].

An in vitro detection method of the gastrointestinal absorption of Pilose Antler protein was established for mixed protein activity. Five bands of protein with molecular weight of 17.8-160 kD derived from the Pilose Antler were extracted and sufficiently labeled with FITC (FITC-PE). The stability and variation of FITC-PE in gastrointestinal circumstances were detected by native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and confocal laser scanning microscope. Results showed that the main component of FITC-PE kept invariant after being reacted with artificial gastric fluid and artificial intestinal fluid. The fluorescence signal was detected 20 min after administration in the valgus intestinal purse experiment, and three kinds of protein, with molecular weight of 45, 25, and 17.8 kD, were detected in the mixture of absorbent protein. The research laid the foundation for the further in vivo study of Pilose Antler protein. Meanwhile, it would be an in vitro screening method for the absorption, distribution and metabolism of mixed protein from traditional Chinese medicine.

[Effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on blood lipid metabolism and its related gene expressions in rats with hyperlipidemia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD), a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, on lipid metabolism and its related gene expressions in rats with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, untreated group, Lipitor (atorvastatin) group, and low- and high-dose HJD groups. Except the normal control group, rats in the other groups were fed with high-fat diet to induce hyperlipidemia. Then the rats were administered with corresponding drugs for 8 weeks. After treatment, the serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TAG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were assayed. The activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) in liver tissues were measured. Low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) mRNA expressions in liver tissues were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the levels of serum TC, TAG and LDL-C in the untreated group were increased and the level of serum HDL-C was reduced. The activities of LPL and HL and expressions of LDLR and PPARgamma mRNAs in the untreated group were lower than those in the normal control group. After treatment, high-dose HJD significantly improved hyperlipemia by decreasing TC, TAG and LDL-C and increasing HDL-C. The activities of LPL and HL and expression levels of LDLR and PPARgamma mRNAs in liver tissues were also markedly enhanced in the high-dose HJD group as compared with those in the untreated group. CONCLUSION: HJD can activate the activity of lipid metabolism enzyme, and enhance the expressions of LDLR and PPARgamma mRNAs to modulate the lipid metabolic disorders in rats with hyperlipidemia.

[Study on the interaction of PTB and serum albumin by fluorescence method].

A molecular spectroscopic investigation of the interaction of phenacyl thiazolium bromide (PTB) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) or human serum albumin (HSA) is reported employing fluorescence quenching techniques. It is determined that the maximal excitation wavelength is 280 nm for BSA solution, and 290 nm for HAS solution. When PTB was added into these solutions gradually, the emission peaks were decreased obviously, which are typical quenching phenomena. The results obtained reveal that there is a medium-intensity binding affinity for PTB with HSA and BSA. At 15 degrees C, the binding constants of PTB and BSA (HSA) are 3.66 x 10(3) and 3.83 x 10(3), and the numbers of binding sites are 1.02 and 1.06 respectively. At 37 degrees C, the binding constants of PTB and BSA (HSA) are 3.58 x 10(3) and 3.35 x 10(3), and the numbers of binding sites are 0.95 and 0.87 respectively. According to the thermodynamic parameters, the main sort of the binding force between the drug and BSA or HSA was electrostatic force. Based on the Föster non-radiation energy transfer theory, it could be acquired that the distance between BSA or HSA and PTB is 7.5 or 7.9 nm. According to the crystal structure of serum albumin, it can be speculated that subdomain II A was the binding sites for the interaction of PTB and serum albumin, which is the region near Try214.

A novel polypeptide from Cervus nippon Temminck proliferation of epidermal cells and NIH3T3 cell line.

A novel polypeptide, velvet antler polypeptide (VAPPs), having a stimulary effect on proliferation of some cell was isolated from the velvet antler of sika deer (Cervus nippon Temminck). This polypeptide consists of a single chain of 32 amino-acid residues VLSAT DKTNV LAAWG KVGGN APAFG AEALE RM. VAPPs showed marked stimulary effect on rat epidermal cells and NIH3T3 cell line (dose range from 10-40 mg x L(-1) and 5-80 mg x L(-1), respectively).

[Qualitative and quantitative determination of the main components of huanglianjiedu decoction by HPLC-UV/MS].

AIM: To establish a comprehensive HPLC analytical method of Huanglianjiedu decoction. METHODS: This study was performed by HPLC-UV/MS to identify the chemical constituents of the whole and individual herbs of the "Huanglianjiedu decoction". Zorbax Extend C18 (150 mm x 4. 6 mm ID, 5 microm) column was used; the mobile phase was composed of acetonitrile (A) and water (B, with 0.5% acetic acid) with gradient elution; the flow rate was 1.0 mL x min(-1) and the column temperature was setup at 25 degrees C. The detection wavelength was 254 nm. RESULTS: The chromatogram of Huanglianjiedu decoction showed 21 main peaks. Peaks 1, 2, 5 and 18 were from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Peaks 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19 and 21 from Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi. While 10 from Coptis chinensis Franch and 20 from Phellodendron amurense Rupr., Peaks 3, 4, 6, 9, 11 and 12 came from them together. Peak 7 presented in the chromatograms of the herbs except Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. By comparison of the retention time, the on-line UV spectra and MS spectra, 11 peaks were identified as 5 (geniposide), 9 (jatrorrhizine), 10 (coptisine), 11 (palmatine), 12 (berberine), 13 (baicalin), 15 (oroxin A), 17 (wogonoside), 19 (baicalein), 20 (obaculactone), 21 (wogonin), then eight of them were quantified by HPLC-UV. CONCLUSION: The method could represent the characteristics of Huanglianjiedu decoction, and it could be used to evaluate the quality and quantity of Huanglianjiedu decoction. It distinguished between Coptis chinensis Franch and Phellodendron amurense Rupr. by HPLC for the first time.

[Study on antitumor activities of huanglian jiedu decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To study the antitumor activity of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDT). METHOD: Antitumor activities were tested in mice with experimental tumor H22 in vivo, and the thymus index, spleen index and tumor inhibitory rate were evaluated. The effects on cancer cells from human were investigated in vitro using serum pharmacological approach. Swille, SPC-A-1, SGC-7901 and MCF-7 cancer cells were incubated in culture media containing serum from mice medicated with HLJDT. The inhibitory effects of HLJDT serum were observed by MTT assay. RESULT: HLJDT showed significant antitumor activities on H22 in mice. All of the HLJDT serum in different dosage groups could highly inhibit the proliferation of 4 cancer cell lines from human. CONCLUSION: The HLJDT can significantly inhibit the tumor H22 in mice in a dose-dependent manner, the drug serum has obvious anticancer effects against Swille, SPC-A-1, SGC-7901 and MCF-7.

[Comparison between antitumor effect and chemical constituents of Huanglian Jiedu decoction and that of serum containing Huanglian Jiedu decoction].

OBJECTIVE: To make a comparison between the antitumor effect and the chemical constituents of Huanglian Jiedu decoction (HLJDT) and that of serum containing HLJDT. METHOD: Based on the established chromatographic fingerprint of HLJDT, analysis and comparison were made between the HPLC fingerprints of rat serum samples obtained after orally taking HLJDT and those of control rat serum samples. The different effects on NCI-H446 and Bel-74024 cancer cells from human were investigated in vitro using HLJDT and its serum. The inhibitory effects of HLJDT and its serum were observed by MTT assay. RESULT: Ten compounds of HLJDT and some metabolites were detected after oral administration of HLJDT, and however some main compounds of HLJDT were not detected in serum. Both HLJDT and its serum in different dosage groups could inhibit the proliferation of NCI-H446 and Bel-7402 cancer cells from human in a dose-dependent manner, but inhibitory grade was different in the two cancer cell lines. HLJDT had more inhibitory effect on Bel-7402 than on NCI-H446, on the other hand serum containing HLJDT had the same inhibitory effect on Bel-7402 and NCI-H446. CONCLUSION: The reason for inhibitory grade change was that the proportion of concentration of many compounds in serum containing HLJDT was different to that in HLJDT, which should be subject to thorough investigation so as to illuminate the pharmacology and active mechanism of HLJDT.

Different Raman spectral patterns of primary rat pancreatic ß cells and insulinoma cells.

As a noninvasive and label-free analytical technique, Raman spectroscopy has been widely used to study the difference between malignant cells and normal cells. Insulinomas are functional ß-cell tumors of pancreatic islet cells. They exhibit many structural and immunohistochemical features in common with normal pancreatic ß cells; thus, they are typically difficult to distinguish under the microscope, especially in vivo. We investigated insulinoma and primary rat pancreatic ß-cell populations using Raman spectroscopy. The details of the optical heterogeneity between these two populations were determined based on different Raman regions primarily involving nucleic acid and protein contents, which are the most distinct cellular contents in these two types of cells. Using principal component analysis­linear discriminant analysis, these two cell types can be readily separated. The results of this work indicate that Raman spectroscopy is a promising tool for the noninvasive and label-free differentiation of insulinoma cells and normal pancreatic ß cells.

[Intestinal bacteria metabolism of TSDP and characterization of metabolites in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the rat intestinal bacteria metabolism of total saponins of Dioscorea pathaica (TSDP) in vitro, and characterize the metabolites in serum and urine of rats after oral administration of TSDP 900 mg.kg-1. METHOD: TSDP metabolites were detected with thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and combination of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) and sequential tandem mass spectrometry (MSn). RESULT: In vitro, TSDP was decomposed easily by rat intestinal bacteria, and metabolites DP-1, DP-2, DP-4, DP-5 and diosgenin (Dio) were observed with prolongation of incubation time by ESI-MS2. In vivo, in the full-scan positive mass spectrum of the rat urine sample, the ion peak at m/z 415 (M-H) and its characteristic fragmentations at m/z 397 and m/z 271 in the MS/MS spectrum were identified with that of metabolite Dio, therefore metabolite Dio was deduced to exist in the rat urine, and metablite Dio was allso detected in the rat serum sample. CONCLUSION: TSDP is decomposed easily by rat intestinal bacteria and metabolite diosgenin is absorbed into blood after oral administration of TSDP.

[Comparative study on anti-hypercholesterolemia activity of diosgenin and total saponin of Dioscorea panthaica].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the anti-hypercholesterolemic and cholesterol absorption inhibitory activities between total saponin of Dioscorea panthaica (TSDP) and diosgenin (Dio). METHOD: TSDP and Dio were given ig or i.p. to mice or rats treated with cholesterol feed to evaluate their preventive and therapeutic effect on hypercholesterolemia. TSDP or Dio and cholesterol were mixed with pig bile to form the micelle, then the freeing cholesterol was detected to evaluate inhibitory effect of the both compounds on cholesterol absorption. RESULT: Dio (80 and 160 mg.kg-1) showed significantly therapeutic and preventive effect on hypercholesterolemia in mice, while TSDP showed a certain preventive activity only at a big dose (400 mg.kg-1). The intraperitoneal injection of Dio (20 and 40 mg.kg-1) to mice suffered from hypercholesterolemia was effective, but TSDP showed no effective. The serum total cholesterol level was decreased when rats were pre-treated with TSDP (200 and 400 mg.kg-1, ig) and Dio (200 and 100 mg.kg-1, ig). However, the hypercholesterolemia-preventing activity of Dio was stronger than that of TSDP. In addition, inhibitory effect of Dio on cholesterol micelle formation was still stronger than that of TSDP. CONCLUSION: The preventive and therapeutic activity of Dio against hypercholesterolemia indused by cholesterol in mice or rats is stronger than that of TSDP. The anti-hypercholesterolemia mechanism of Dio is probably related with its cholesterol absorption inhibitory activity.

The anti-osteoporotic effect of velvet antler polypeptides from Cervus elaphus Linnaeus in ovariectomized rats.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The deer velvet antler is well known for its traditional medicinal value, and is widely used in the clinic. It is recorded in the Compendium of Materia Medica that the deer velvet antler replenishes vital essence and strengthens the bone. AIM OF THE STUDY: The goal of this study was to investigate the anti-osteoporotic effect of total velvet antler polypeptides from Cervus elaphus Linnaeus (TVAPL) on ovariectomized rats (OVX), and their possible mechanism of the action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar rats were divided into five groups: sham-operated group, OVX group, and OVX rats treated with 20, 40, or 60 mk/kg TVAPL for 12 weeks. Calcium and phosphorus levels, bone weight coefficient (BWC), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone mineral content (BMC) were evaluated. The MTT assay was used to measure the activities of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). In addition, cartilage cells and osteoblast-like cells were exposed to TVAPL, natural velvet antler polypeptides (nVAP), and synthetic velvet antler polypeptides (sVAP), to determine their effects on cell proliferation using the tritiated thymidine incorporation assay. Finally, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the effects of nVAP and sVAP on cytokines related to bone metabolism. RESULTS: The administration of TVAPL for 12 weeks significantly reversed osteoporosis in OVX rats, thereby improving the BWC, BMD, BMC, and bone microarchitecture. IL-1 and IL-6 were significantly activated in the OVX group, and their activation was inhibited by TVAPL. In addition, nVAP and sVAP promoted the proliferation of cartilage and osteoblast-like cells (p<0.01 or p<0.001), and inhibited the secretion of IL-1α from THP-1 monocytic cells in vitro. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TVAPL are effective in preventing bone loss in OVX rats. The effect of TVAPL on osteoporosis is due to inhibition of IL-1 and IL-6 by nVAP, and promotion of mitosis. sVAP has similar bioactivity as nVAP. Thus, both TVAPL and sVAP may be potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Recombinant Lz-8 from Ganoderma lucidum induces endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagic cell death in SGC-7901 human gastric cancer cells.

In Asia, the mushroom of the fungus Ganoderma lucidum has been widely used as a traditional medicine for the past two millennia. The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer activity of recombinant Lz-8 (rLz-8), a protein belonging to a family of fungal immunomodulatory proteins. We report that rLz-8 induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-mediated autophagic cell death in the human gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. Our results show that rLz-8 induces autophagic cell death by aggregating in the ER, triggering ER stress and the ATF4-CHOP pathway. A foreign protein, in the ER rLz-8 causes the activation of the ubiquitine/proteasome ER-associated degradation (ERAD) system. The autophagic arm of this system is then overstimulated by an excessive abundance of rLz-8 and causes the cell's death through an over-autophagic response. We also found that caspase inhibitors do not prevent rLz-8-induced cell death, and therefore the autophagic response induced by rLz-8 is independent of caspase activation.

[Experimental study of velvet antler polypeptides against oxidative damage of osteoarthritis cartilage cells].

OBJECTIVE: To study reverse effect of the oxidative damage on cartilage cells of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPS), and to investigate the main mechanism of VAPS to protect cartilage cells through antioxidant. METHODS: Fifteen Japanese white rabbits of 5-month-old were selected in this study. Animal model was established by method of Hulth osteoarthritis animal model. The anterior and posterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament were cut off and medial meniscus were cut, articular cartilage cell cultured in vitro. Cells in the sham operation group was the normal control group, osteoarthritis cartilage cells in the model groups were added VAPS 6.25, 12.5, 25 microg/ml respectively. A group of animals were sacrificed every week form the ninth weeks(two months) and the cartilage cells were isolated and cultured. For 8 weeks,the reactive oxygen species level in chondrocytes were detected by DCFH-DA, the content of NO, SOD and GSH-Px in cell culture supernatant were detected by Griess method. RESULTS: DCFH-DA detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species was (5.46 +/- 0.46)in the control group, (12.08 +/- 0.74) in the model groups. The model group compared with the control group by t test with the P value less than < 0.001. DCFH-DA detection of intracellular reactive oxygen species was (9.81 +/- 0.59)in VAPS 6.25 microg/ ml group, (7.83 +/- 0.63) in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (6.89 +/- 0.71) in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, as compared with model group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). The content of NaNO2, SOD and GSH-Px in osteoarthritis model group was (5.60 +/- 0.45) microM, (38.56 +/- 12.53) U/ml and (151.90 +/- 25.60) U, as compared with control group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.001, P < 0.05); The content of NaNO2 was (4.34 +/- 0.39), M in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (3.67 +/- 0.36) microM in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (3.20 +/- 0.27) microM in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, as compared with model group there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). The content of SOD was (49.91 +/- 5.77) U/ml in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (54.05 +/- 5.27) U/ml in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (57.44 +/- 5.70) U/ml in the VAPS 25 microg/mL group, as compared with model group there was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The content of GSH-Px was (172.50 +/- 18.65) U in VAPS 6.25 microg/ml group, (202.10 +/- 21.60) U in the VAPS 12.5 microg/ml group, (315.80 +/- 10.50) U in the VAPS 25 microg/ml group, the VAPS 12.5 microg/mL group and VAPS 25 microg/ml group was compared with model group, there were statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The VAPS have antioxidative damage effect of osteoarthritis cartilage cells within a certain range and dose-dependent manner. It may be the main mechanism for velvet antler polypeptides to treat osteoarthritis.

The effects of velvet antler polypeptides on the phenotype and related biological indicators of osteoarthritic rabbit chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of velvet antler polypeptides (VAPs) on osteoarthritic chondrocytes (OCs) in rabbits. METHODS: An osteoarthritic rabbit model was established according to Hulth's method. OCs were isolated and cultured for observation of the cell cycle. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay and the cell cycle was monitored by flow cytometry. The phenotype was determined by toluidine blue staining as well as immunohistochemical staining for collagen type II. The expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP-1, and collagen I and X mRNA by chondrocytes was assayed by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The VAPs had no obvious proliferative effect on OCs and did not affect the cell cycle. However, they significantly reduced the proportion of early apoptotic cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further, VAPs inhibited the expression of collagen I and X mRNA and induced abnormal expression of MMP-1 and MMP-13 mRNA. VAPs had no significant effect on MMP-3 and TIMP-1 mRNA levels. The toluidine blue and collagen type II immunohistochemical staining intensities of VAP-treated chondrocytes were positively correlated with the concentration of VAPs used. CONCLUSION: VAPs had no significant effect on OC proliferation and the cell cycle, but did increase the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II expression levels in the extracellular matrix, and down-regulated collagen I and X mRNA expression. Treatment of cartilage cells with VAPs maintained their normal phenotype, inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion, kept the balance of cartilage matrix metabolism, and sustained an external environment where the cartilage cells could survive. Moreover, VAPs reduced the proportion of early apoptotic cells, suggesting that they may block the apoptotic pathway in OCs.

[Biocompatibility evaluation of nano TCP/gelatin/velvet antler polypeptide material].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biocompatibility of a new nano TCP/gelatin/velvet antler polypeptide material. METHODS: The nano TCP/gelatin/velvet antler polypeptide material was prepared, and the amorphous was observed by scanning electron microscope. L929 and NIH/3T3 cell lines were cultured conventionally. Acute toxicity test, hemolysis test, cell proliferation and cytotoxicity test were used to evaluate the biocompatibility of the material. RESULTS: The composite microsphere material was about 10 microm in diameter and had good spherical geometry, high monodispersity with nanometer size holes on the surface. Toxic symptoms such as hyperspasmia, palsy and death did not appear during the observing stage in acute toxicity test. Maximum hemolysis rate of the material was less than 5% which met the requirement of hemolysis test standard as a medical material. Different concentrations of the materials leaching liquor could enhance the proliferation of NIH/3T3 cells, which showed the good biologic activity. Toxicity grade was 0, and the material was no cytotoxic. CONCLUSION: Nano TCP/gelatin/velvet antler polypeptide material has good biocompatibility.

Hypoglycemic activity of ginseng glycopeptide.

AIM: To study the hypoglycemic activity of ginseng glycopeptide (GGP). METHODS: Normal mice or rabbits and alloxan or streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats or mice were used in the study. Blood glucose and liver glycogen levels of the experimental animals during the trial period were analyzed by spectrophotometry with O-toluidine and iodine reagents, respectively. RESULTS: Significant decreases in blood glucose and liver glycogen levels were induced in a dose-dependent manner after administration of GGP 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg injected ip or sc to normal mice and injected im 30 or 60 mg/kg to normal rabbits. The hypoglycemic activity of GGP lasted for about 16 h, and were examined in both normal animals and hyperglycemic animals. CONCLUSION: GGP injection induced the pronounced decreases in blood glucose and liver glycogen levels in both normal and hyperglycemic animals.