Effects of Garlic on Glucose Parameters and Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Randomized Controlled Trials.

(1) Background: The effect of garlic on glucose and lipid metabolism in humans remains controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of garlic on blood lipid levels and glucose levels in humans through a systematic review and meta-analysis. (2) Methods: We extensively searched four databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library, up to February 2024. To assess the collective impact of garlic and its supplements on fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglycerides (TG), an analysis was conducted using a random effects model. Subgroup analyses were performed when I2 < 50%. (3) Result: We found that the garlic intervention was effective in controlling FBG (mean difference = -7.01; 95% CI: -8.53, -5.49, p < 0.001), HbA1c (mean deviation = -0.66; 95% CI: -0.76, -0.55, p < 0.001, I2 = 62.9%), TC (mean difference = -14.17; 95% CI: -19.31, -9.03, p < 0.001), and LDL-C (mean difference = -8.20; 95% CI: -15.58, -0.81, p = 0.03); moreover, it also increased the level of HDL-C in humans (mean difference = 2.06; 95% CI: 1.54, 2.59; p < 0.001). Nonetheless, the intervention involving garlic did not yield a substantial impact on triglyceride (TG) levels. (4) Conclusion: The intervention of garlic is beneficial to control blood glucose and blood lipids in humans.

Egg white-derived peptides reduced blood glucose in high-fat-diet and low-dose streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic mice via regulating the hepatic gluconeogenic signaling and metabolic profile.

Food proteins are considered an ideal source for the identification of bioactive peptides with the potential to intervene in nutrition-related chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. Egg white-derived peptides (EWPs) have been shown to improve glucose tolerance in insulin-resistant rats. However, underlying mechanisms are to be elucidated. Therefore, we hypothesized that EWP exerts a hypoglycemic effect by regulating hepatic glucose homeostasis. Our results showed that 7 weeks of EWP treatment reduced the fasting blood glucose in T2DM mice and the inhibition of the liver gluconeogenic pathway was involved in the mechanisms of actions. Using the untargeted metabolomics technique, we found that EWP treatment also altered the hepatic metabolic profile in T2DM mice, in which, the role of fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids in mediating the hypoglycemic effect of EWPs might be pivotal.

Effects of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice on people with type 2 diabetes mellitus combined with dyslipidaemia.

Objective: This study aimed to observe the effects of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice on blood lipid levels, blood glucose levels and lipid metabolism-related enzymes in T2DM patients with dyslipidaemia and to study their effects on the gut microbiome and short-chain fatty acids. Methods: According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 68 subjects were randomly divided into a germinated brown rice group, a germinated black rice group and a white rice group. At the end of the intervention, relevant anthropometric indices, blood biochemistry, and levels of adipokines and lipid metabolism-related enzymes were measured. Faecal samples were collected for 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing and for an analysis of short-chain fatty acids. Results: After 3 months of intervention with germinated brown rice, germinated black rice or white rice, 21 people in each group completed the intervention as required. At the end of the intervention, the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the germinated brown rice group and germinated black rice group were significantly lower than those in the white rice group. The levels of adiponectin (ADPN) and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) in the germinated brown rice group were significantly higher than those in the white rice group (P < 0.05). At the genus level, interventions with germinated brown rice and germinated black rice significantly increased the relative abundance of Megamonas, Muribaculaceae and Alloprevotella and significantly decreased the relative abundance of Veillonella (P < 0.05). After 3 months of intervention, a significant decrease in waist circumference was observed within the germinated brown rice group compared to that at baseline (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Compared with the consumption of white rice, the consumption of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice can effectively regulate the glucose and lipid metabolism of this population. In addition, interventions involving the use of germinated brown rice and germinated black rice may further improve intestinal diversity and abundance, increase the relative abundance of Megamonas and decrease the relative abundance of Veillonella.

The Impact of Problematic Smartphone Use on Sleep Quality Among Chinese Young Adults: Investigating Anxiety and Depression as Mediators in a Three-Wave Longitudinal Study.

Background: Sleep disorders are a significant health issue that urgently needs to be addressed among undergraduate students, and one of the potential underlying problems could be problematic smartphone use (PSU). This study aimed to clarify the relationship between PSU and poor sleep quality by investigating the independent and serial mediating roles of anxiety and depressive symptoms in a population of university students in Tibet, China. Methods: A total of 2993 Tibetan college students completed three waves of data surveys, with all participants completing questionnaires on PSU, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality (Time 1 (T1) -Time 3 (T3)). Bootstrapped mediation analysis was used to explore the mediating role of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the longitudinal relationship between PSU and sleep quality. Results: Both direct and indirect effects of PSU on poor sleep quality were found. PSU (T1) can had not only a direct negative influence on poor sleep quality (T3) among young adults (direct effect = 0.021, 95% CI = 0.010-0.033) but also an indirect negative impact via three pathways: the independent mediating effect of anxiety symptoms (T2) (indirect effect 1 = 0.003, 95% CI = 0.001-0.006), the independent mediating effect of depressive symptoms (T2) (indirect effect 2 = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.002-0.006), and the serial mediating effects of anxiety (T2) and depressive symptoms (T2) (indirect effect 3 = 0.008, 95% CI=0.005-0.011). Conclusion: These findings highlight the role of anxiety and depression symptoms as joint mediating factors in the relationship between PSU and sleep disturbances. Interventions focused on improving sleep that incorporate behavioural measures could benefit from treatment approaches targeting mental disorders.

Selenium May Be Involved in Esophageal Squamous Cancer Prevention by Affecting GPx3 and FABP1 Expression: A Case-Control Study Based on Bioinformatic Analysis.

The role of selenium in the developmental process of esophageal cancer (EC) requires further investigation. To explore the relationship between selenium-related factors and EC through bioinformatic analysis, a case-control study was conducted to verify the results. Utilizing the GEPIA and TCGA databases, we delineated the differential expression of glutathione peroxidase 3 (GPx3) in EC and normal tissues, identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and a performed visualization analysis. Additionally, 100 pairs of dietary and plasma samples from esophageal precancerous lesions (EPLs) of esophageal squamous cancer (ESCC) cases and healthy controls from Huai'an district, Jiangsu, were screened. The levels of dietary selenium, plasma selenium, and related enzymes were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or ELISA kits. The results showed lower GPx3 expression in tumor tissues compared to normal tissues. Further analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly involved in the fat digestion and absorption pathway, and the core protein fatty acid binding protein 1 (FABP1) was significantly upregulated and negatively correlated with GPx3 expression. Our case-control study found that selenium itself was not associated with EPLs risk. However, both the decreased concentration of GPx3 and the increase in FABP1 were positively correlated with the EPLs risk (p for trend = 0.035 and 0.046, respectively). The different expressions of GPx3 and FABP1 reflect the potential of selenium for preventing ESCC at the EPLs stage. GPx3 may affect myocardial infarction through FABP1, which remains to be further studied.

Mechanisms of the Masquelet technique to promote bone defect repair and its influencing factors.

The Masquelet technique, also known as the induced membrane technique, is a surgical technique for repairing large bone defects based on the use of a membrane generated by a foreign body reaction for bone grafting. This technique is not only simple to perform, with few complications and quick recovery, but also has excellent clinical results. To better understand the mechanisms by which this technique promotes bone defect repair and the factors that require special attention in practice, we examined and summarized the relevant research advances in this technique by searching, reading, and analysing the literature. Literature show that the Masquelet technique may promote the repair of bone defects through the physical septum and molecular barrier, vascular network, enrichment of mesenchymal stem cells, and high expression of bone-related growth factors, and the repair process is affected by the properties of spacers, the timing of bone graft, mechanical environment, intramembrane filling materials, artificial membrane, and pharmaceutical/biological agents/physical stimulation.

Sex differences and dietary patterns in the association of air pollutants and hypertension.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is one of the major public health problems in China. Limited evidence exists regarding sex differences in the association between hypertension and air pollutants, as well as the impact of dietary factors on the relationship between air pollutants and hypertension. The aim of this study was to investigate the sex-specific effects of dietary patterns on the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone(O3) and hypertension in adults residing in Jiangsu Province of China. METHODS: A total of 3189 adults from the 2015 China Adult Chronic Disease and Nutrition Surveillance in Jiangsu Province were included in this study. PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were estimated using satellite space-time models and assigned to each participant. Dietary patterns were determined by reduced rank regression (RRR), and multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the associations of the obtained dietary patterns with air pollutants and hypertension risk. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, we found that males were more sensitive to long-term exposure to PM2.5 (Odds ratio (OR) = 1.42 95%CI:1.08,1.87), and females were more sensitive to long-term exposure to O3 (OR = 1.61 95%CI:1.15,2.23). Traditional southern pattern identified through RRR exhibited a protective effect against hypertension in males (OR = 0.73 95%CI: 0.56,1.00). The results of the interaction between dietary pattern score and PM2.5 revealed that adherence to traditional southern pattern was significantly associated with a decreased risk of hypertension in males (P < 0.05), while no significant association was observed among females. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggested that sex differences existed in the association between dietary patterns, air pollutants and hypertension. Furthermore, we found that adherence to traditional southern pattern may mitigate the risk of long-term PM2.5 exposure-induced hypertension in males.

L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Psychiatric and Neurological Manifestations: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: L-carnitine (LC), a vital nutritional supplement, plays a crucial role in myocardial health and exhibits significant cardioprotective effects. LC, being the principal constituent of clinical-grade supplements, finds extensive application in the recovery and treatment of diverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. However, controversies persist regarding the utilization of LC in nervous system diseases, with varying effects observed across numerous mental and neurological disorders. This article primarily aims to gather and analyze database information to comprehensively summarize the therapeutic potential of LC in patients suffering from nervous system diseases while providing valuable references for further research. METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web Of Science, Embase, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library and Clinicaltrials.gov databases. The literature pertaining to the impact of LC supplementation on neurological or psychiatric disorders in patients was reviewed up until November 2023. No language or temporal restrictions were imposed on the search. RESULTS: A total of 1479 articles were retrieved, and after the removal of duplicates through both automated and manual exclusion processes, 962 articles remained. Subsequently, a meticulous re-screening led to the identification of 60 relevant articles. Among these, there were 12 publications focusing on hepatic encephalopathy (HE), while neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and peripheral nervous system diseases (PNSDs) were represented by 9 and 6 articles, respectively. Additionally, stroke was addressed in five publications, whereas Raynaud's syndrome (RS) and cognitive disorder (CD) each had three dedicated studies. Furthermore, migraine, depression, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) each accounted for two publications. Lastly, one article was found for other symptoms under investigation. CONCLUSION: In summary, LC has demonstrated favorable therapeutic effects in the management of HE, Alzheimer's disease (AD), carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), CD, migraine, neurofibromatosis (NF), PNSDs, RS, and stroke. However, its efficacy appears to be relatively limited in conditions such as ALS, ataxia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), Down syndrome (DS), and sciatica.

Activation of Piezo1 increases the sensitivity of breast cancer to hyperthermia therapy.

Photothermal therapy (PTT) of nanomaterials is an emerging novel therapeutic strategy for breast cancer. However, there exists an urgent need for appropriate strategies to enhance the antitumor efficacy of PTT and minimize damage to surrounding normal tissues. Piezo1 might be a promising novel photothermal therapeutic target for breast cancer. This study aims to explore the potential role of Piezo1 activation in the hyperthermia therapy of breast cancer cells and investigate the underlying mechanisms. Results showed that the specific agonist of Piezo1 ion channel (Yoda1) aggravated the cell death of breast cancer cells triggered by heat stress in vitro. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was significantly increased following heat stress, and Yoda1 exacerbated the rise in ROS release. GSK2795039, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2), reversed the Yoda1-mediated aggravation of cellular injury and ROS generation after heat stress. The in vivo experiments demonstrate the well photothermal conversion efficiency of TiCN under the 1,064 nm laser irradiation, and Yoda1 increases the sensitivity of breast tumors to PTT in the presence of TiCN. Our study reveals that Piezo1 activation might serve as a photothermal sensitizer for PTT, which may develop as a promising therapeutic strategy for breast cancer.

Eating behavior during pregnancy mediates the association between depression and diet quality--a new strategy for intervention in pregnancy.

Background: Depression can result in changes in eating behavior and decrease the quality of eating. It has been shown that maternal depression during pregnancy can result in malnutrition, which can have adverse effects on the pregnancy and the offspring. There is currently no clear association between depression and diet. Methods: Five hundred and forty-nine pregnant women recruited from Danyang Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Jiangsu Province participated in this study and were administered the Intuitive Eating Scale-2 (IES-2), Edinburgh Post-natal Depression Scale (EPDS), Pregnancy Stress Scale (PPS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), and Dietary Guidelines Adherence Index for Pregnant Women during Pregnancy (CDGCI-PW). The nutritional software collected dietary records for three consecutive days in mid-pregnancy to calculate dietary intake and nutrients that support energy production. The mediation analyses were conducted using SPSS 24.0 macro PROCESS. Results: The relationship between depressive symptoms during pregnancy and diet quality was moderated primarily by two aspects of eating behavior, "Reliance on Hunger and Satiety Cues" (RHS) and "Body-Food Choice Congruence" (BFC). Depressive symptoms (EPDS scores) showed a negative correlation with RHS, BFC, and RHS, and BFC showed a positive correlation with diet quality, yielding a significant specific indirect effect. The multiple mediation model explained 14.7% of the variance in the diet quality. Conclusion: This study highlights the important role of eating behaviors during pregnancy in the relationship between depressive symptoms (EPDS scores) and diet quality, and provides preliminary evidence for feasible ways pregnant women with depressive symptoms can improve diet quality, promote maternal and child health, and reduce depression.

Multi-omics revealed the formation mechanism of characteristic volatiles in Tibetan yak cheese induced by different altitudes.

The variation in volatiles, bacteria and metabolites of Tibetan yak cheese (TYC) from different altitudes were characterized with multi-omics to reveal the formation mechanism of characteristic volatile compounds (C-VOCs) in TYC induced by altitudes. 22C-VOCs (odor activity value, OAV > 1) were identified in TYCs, and hexanal, dodecanol, 2,3-butanediol, butyl isobutyate, etc., C-VOCs were confirmed induced by altitude. Lactobacillus, Kocuria, etc., bacteria and benzyl thiocyanate, trehalose, sarcosine, etc., metabolites were screened as the variable bacteria and metabolites for TYCs regulated by altitude, respectively. Pediococcus and carbonhydrates maybe the main contributors for the formation of C-VOCs in TYCs induced by altitudes. The formation of dodecanol, 2,3-butanediol and hexanal maybe derived from sarcosine and EPA, and the generation of butyl isobutyrates maybe originated from 1,6-DP-fructose and threonic acid facilitating by Pediococcus. This research will help us gain insight into the contribution of altitude to the formation of volatiles in TYCs.

Risk of Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study was performed to explore the association between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and the risk of overweight/obesity in both children and adolescents. The PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for relevant studies published before July 12, 2022. Studies with data for calculating the odds ratio (OR) of childhood overweight/obesity and ADHD were included. The literature value was assessed by the cross-sectional evaluation criteria proposed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). All analyses were conducted using StataSE 11 and RevMan 5.3 software with random-effects models. This review included a total of 16 studies covering 14,981 cases and 128,916 controls.According to the meta-analysis, children with ADHD had a significant risk for co-occurring overweight and obesity [OR 1.56; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.32-1.85], especially boys (OR 1.45; 95% CI 1.10-1.90), people in Asia (OR 3.25; 95% CI 1.70-6.21) and Europe (OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.61-2.12), and patients not using medication (OR 1.54; 95% CI 1.22-1.94).ADHD has a significant association with overweight and obesity in both children and adolescents, which may be altered by factors such as geography, gender, and medication use. Timely treatment should be provided to children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD to inhibit the emergence of overweight and obesity.

Potential nutritional strategies to prevent and reverse sarcopenia in aging process: Role of fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, wheat oligopeptide and their combined intervention.

INTRODUCTION: Nutritional support is potentially considered an essential step to prevent muscle loss and enhance physical function in older adults. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the role of potential nutritional strategies, i.e., fish oil-derived ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), wheat oligopeptide and their combined intervention, in preventing and reversing sarcopenia in aging process. METHODS: One hundred 25-month-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, and 10 newly purchased 6-month-old rats were included in young control group (n = 10). Fish oil (200, 400 or 800 mg/kg body weight), wheat oligopeptide (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg body weight), fish oil + wheat oligopeptide (800 + 100, 400 + 200 or 200 + 400 mg/kg body weight) or the equal volume of solvent were administered daily by gavage for 10 weeks. The effects of these interventions on natural aging rats were evaluated. RESULTS: All intervention groups had a significant increase in muscle mass and grip strength and reduction in perirenal fat weight when compared to the aged control group (P < 0.05). The results of biochemical parameters, magnetic resonance imaging, proteomics and western blot suggested that the combination of wheat oligopeptide and fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA, especially group WFM 2 (400 + 200 mg/kg body weight fish oil + wheat oligopeptide), was found to be more effective against aging-associated muscle loss than single intervention. Additionally, the interventions ameliorated fatty infiltration, muscle atrophy, and congestion in the intercellular matrix, and inflammatory cell infiltration in muscle tissue. The interventions also improved oxidative stress, anabolism, hormone levels, and inflammatory levels of skeletal muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of fish oil-derived ω-3 PUFA and wheat oligopeptide was found to be a promising nutritional support to prevent and reverse sarcopenia. The potential mechanism involved the promotion of protein synthesis and muscle regeneration, as well as the enhancement of muscle strength.

Association between socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, eating habits and hypertension risk among middle-aged and older rural Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hypertension is a global health issue with increasing prevalence. This study aimed to understand the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of hypertension in rural Chinese populations and help develop effective prevention and control strategies. METHODS AND RESULTS: This cross-sectional study used database from the Early Diagnosis and Early Treatment Project of Esophageal Cancer conducted in a rural population from September 2012 to December 2017. A total of 10,111 subjects aged 35-75 years residing in Huai'an District, Huai'an City, Jiangsu Province for at least three years were included. Unconditional univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the association between socio-demographic information, lifestyle habits, dietary characteristics and the risk of hypertension. The prevalence of hypertension was 34.32 % in this rural population. Men and older individuals are more likely to have hypertension when compared with women and young individuals, respectively. Factors associated with an increased risk of hypertension included: fast eating speed, a high-salt diet (both currently and ten years ago), a high-spicy diet ten years ago, high BMI, poor educational attainment, preference for fatty meats, hot diet, green tea drinking, intake of pickled potherb mustard and corn flour, family smoking and alcohol consumption. Light smoking in males, consumption of fruits, adzuki bean, and pork liver were associated with reduced risk of hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified some factors, including eat habits and lifestyle, associated with hypertension risk, and highlighted the need for targeted policies and interventions in rural China to address potential risk factors for hypertension.

Effect of skipping breakfast on cardiovascular risk factors: a grade-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies.

Skipping breakfast is one of the most prevalent irregular eating habits. Several pieces of evidence have reported the association between breakfast omission and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Numerous publications have focused on the impact of skipping breakfast on various cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the current systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess this impact, especially with regard to anthropometric measurements, serum lipid profiles, blood pressure, and glycemic control indicators. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 1 April 2023. A total of 11 eligible trials were identified to evaluate the combined effects of skipping breakfast. Final integrated results demonstrated that breakfast omission significantly decreased the body weight (mean difference = -0.66, 95% CI: -1.09 to -0.24, p = 0.002, I2 = 0.0) and increased the level of serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (mean difference = 9.89, 95% CI: 5.14 to 14.63, p = 0.000, I2 = 17.3). Subgroup analysis also revealed potential factors that may affect the outcomes, for example, the physiological condition of participants, duration, gender, and type of breakfast. In conclusion, skipping breakfast may reduce body weight while increasing the level of serum LDL-C at the same time. In view of the limited trials, further studies are needed to expound the role of breakfast omission in cardiovascular diseases.

Eating disorders symptoms and depressive symptoms in Chinese Tibetan University students: a network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is being increasingly acknowledged as a global public health concern, and following this trend, attention towards eating disorders (EDs) has surged within China's national consciousness. EDs symptoms frequently coexist with various mental health conditions, including depression. However, research focusing on EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms among Tibetan students in China remains scant. This study employs network analysis to estimate the relational network between EDs and depressive symptoms. METHODS: Tibetan (n = 2,582) and Han (n = 1,743) students from two universities in the Xizang Autonomous Region, China, completed the Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). We estimated the network structure of EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms, identified central and bridge symptoms, and examined whether network characteristics differed by gender and ethnic. RESULTS: The core symptoms identified within this study were Calorie_awareness, Desire_to_thin and Fatigue. Conversely, bridge symptoms included Appetite, Suicide, Anhedonia, Guilty, Body_fat_awareness, and Food_preoccupation. The study also revealed no significant gender differences within the network model. However, disparities among ethnic groups were observed within the network structure. CONCLUSIONS: Our study examined the correlation between EDs symptoms and depressive symptoms in Tibetan college students. Focusing on the individual's quest for the perfect body shape and some Tibetan students' appetite problems - potentially stemming from transitioning to a new university environment, adapting to the school canteen's diet, or being away from their hometown - could aid in the prevention and management of EDs and depression symptoms. It could reduce the incidence of complications by helping students maintain good physical and mental health. Concurrently, our research provides insights into the relatively higher levels of depression triggered by the unique plateau environment.

Pea protein hydrolysate reduces blood glucose in high-fat diet and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Introduction: Food proteins have been recognized as an ideal source to release bioactive peptides with the potential to intervene nutrition related chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes. Our previous studies showed that pea protein hydrolysate (PPH) could suppress hepatic glucose production in hepatic cells via inhibiting the gluconeogenic signaling. Thus, we hypothesized that PPH could play the hypoglycemic role in vivo. Methods: In the present study, the mice model with type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM) was developed by high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin injections. PPH was administered orally with a dosage of 1000 mg/kg body weight for 9 weeks, followed by the downstream biomedical analyses. Results: The results showed that the 9-week treatment of PPH could reduce fasting blood glucose by 29.6% and improve glucose tolerance in the T2DM mice. The associated mechanisms included suppression of the gluconeogenic pathway, activation of the insulin signaling and modulation of the renin angiotensin system in the liver of the diabetic mice. In addition, the levels of pro-inflammatory markers in both liver and serum were reduced by the PPH treatment. Conclusion: The hypoglycemic effect of PPH in T2DM mice was demonstrated in the present study. Findings from this study could provide rationale to incorporate PPH into functional foods or nutraceuticals for glycemic control.

Application and underlying mechanism of acupuncture for the nerve repair after peripheral nerve injury: remodeling of nerve system.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is a structural event with harmful consequences worldwide. Due to the limited intrinsic regenerative capacity of the peripheral nerve in adults, neural restoration after PNI is difficult. Neurological remodeling has a crucial effect on the repair of the form and function during the regeneration of the peripheral nerve after the peripheral nerve is injured. Several studies have demonstrated that acupuncture is effective for PNI-induced neurologic deficits, and the potential mechanisms responsible for its effects involve the nervous system remodeling in the process of nerve repair. Moreover, acupuncture promotes neural regeneration and axon sprouting by activating related neurotrophins retrograde transport, such as nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), N-cadherin, and MicroRNAs. Peripheral nerve injury enhances the perceptual response of the central nervous system to pain, causing central sensitization and accelerating neuronal cell apoptosis. Together with this, the remodeling of synaptic transmission function would worsen pain discomfort. Neuroimaging studies have shown remodeling changes in both gray and white matter after peripheral nerve injury. Acupuncture not only reverses the poor remodeling of the nervous system but also stimulates the release of neurotrophic substances such as nerve growth factors in the nervous system to ameliorate pain and promote the regeneration and repair of nerve fibers. In conclusion, the neurological remodeling at the peripheral and central levels in the process of acupuncture treatment accelerates nerve regeneration and repair. These findings provide novel insights enabling the clinical application of acupuncture in the treatment of PNI.

Effectiveness of acupuncture treatment for stroke and stroke complications: a protocol for meta-analysis and systematic review based on randomized, single-blind, controlled trials.

Introduction: The treatment and rehabilitation of stroke and its complications have become major global health issues. Acupuncture is widely used as a complementary and alternative treatment for stroke. Many clinical studies have evaluated the efficacy and safety of acupuncture, but the research results need to be more consistent. The quality of research based on previously published meta-analyzes is uneven, leading to unstable conclusions. This study aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the efficacy of high-quality, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) based on blinded designs for treating stroke and its complications. It also aims to review the characteristics of blinded designs and the current use of sham/placebo acupuncture controls in treating stroke. Methods and analysis: This study will be conducted under the reporting guidelines for systematic reviews and meta-analyzes. Randomized controlled trials using acupuncture as the primary measure for stroke will be searched in databases such as China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP (CQVIP), Wan-fang, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. To evaluate high-quality research based on a blind design, if the trial evaluates the efficacy of any acupuncture intervention by including a sham/placebo acupuncture control, it will be included. The primary outcome indicator will be the ability to perform daily activities. Secondary outcome indicators include evaluating quality of life and related functions in stroke-related sequelae. We will assess the quality of evidence, reporting quality, and risk of bias for the acupuncture intervention in the literature included in this study using the GRADE system, the STRICTA 2010 checklist, and ROB2.0, respectively. RevMan 5.4 software will be used to conduct the meta-analysis, and Stata 15.0 software will be used for sensitivity analysis and publication bias testing. Discussion: By analyzing high-quality, well-designed, randomized controlled trials of acupuncture, the results of this study may contribute to a more objective and standardized evaluation of acupuncture efficacy in treating stroke and its complications.Systematic review registration: PROSPERO, Identifier (CRD42023378930).

Effects of green tea catechin on the blood pressure and lipids in overweight and obese population-a meta-analysis.

Background: Overweight and obesity as main health problems harm human beings worldwide. The number of people diagnosed with overweight and obese is gradually increasing. Green tea catechin has been reported to effectively help control body weight in overweight and obese population, and is protectively against the blood pressure and lipids in people with type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Methods: We retrieved 4 English databases (PubMed, Web of science, Cochrane, Scoups) from inception to April 20, 2023. Two reviewers independently determined eligibility, assessed the reporting quality of included studies, and extracted the data. Data were extracted from eleven studies. The results were presented with the weighted mean differences (WMDs), and the confidence intervals (CIs) was 95 %. The random-effects or fixed-effects model was applied according to the heterogeneity. The subgroup analysis was used to identify the source of heterogeneity. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots, Egger's test, and Begg's test. Results: Eleven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) inclusion studies were screened from 3072 literature articles, involving 613 overweight and obese patients. After combining all studies, it was found that in overweight and obese people green tea catechin could reduce waist circumference (WC) (pooled WMD = -1.37 cm, 95 % CI: -2.52 to -0.22 cm, p = 0.019), and triglyceride (TG) (pooled WMD = -0.18 mmol/L, 95 % CI: -0.35 to -0.02 mmol/L, p = 0.032), and increase high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (pooled WMD = 0.07 mmol/L, 95 % CI: 0.01-0.14 mmol/L, p = 0.031). Conclusion: Green tea catechin supplement effectively reduced WC and TG levels and improved HDL-c levels. However, it did not show the significant effect on the blood pressure in overweight and obese people. The present meta-analysis showed a moderate benefit of green tea catechin supplementation on lipid profiles in overweight and obese people.