Effect of Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou Method on Sex Hormones, Insulin and Ovulation in PCOS Patients with Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome Based on PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To investigate the effect of Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou method on sex hormones, insulin and ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome based on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway. Method::Totally 60 PCOS patients with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2017 to July 2018 were selected and divided into observation group and control group according to the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was orally treated with ethinylestradiol and cycloproterone acetate tablets, in addition to this therapy, the observation group also received Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou method. Both groups were followed up after three months of treatment. Sex hormone levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and fasting insulin (FINS) levels were measured in all patients. Homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) was calculated by homeostasis model assessment method, and the expression levels of Akt and p-Akt proteins in endometrium were detected by Western blot. Result::After treatment, the levels of FSH and LH in both groups decreased, and the level of E2 sex hormone increased (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of FSH and LH in observation group were lower than those in control group, whereas the level of E2 sex hormone was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of FPG and FINS in two groups were significantly lower (P<0.05), while the levels of FPG and FINS in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ovarian volume and the number of sinusoidal oocytes in two groups decreased significantly, while the endometrial thickness increased (P<0.05). After treatment, the ovarian volume and the number of sinusoidal oocytes in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group, and the endometrial thickness was significantly lower than that in observation group (P<0.05). After treatment, the ovarian volume and the number of sinusoidal oocytes in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group, and the endometrial thickness was larger than that of control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Akt and p-Akt proteins in the endometrium of observation group and control group were significantly decreased, while the Akt and p-Akt proteins in the endometrium of observation group were significantly lower than those of control group (P<0.05). Conclusion::Wenshen Zhuyang Tiaozhou method can effectively ameliorate the sex hormone level, regulate insulin and promote the recovery of ovarian function in PCOS patients with kidney-Yang deficiency syndrome. This may be related to the blocking of the phosphorylation of Akt and the inhibition of the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Sterol O-acyltransferase 1 deficiency improves defective insulin signaling in the brains of mice fed a high-fat diet.

Insulin resistance induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) is related to metabolic diseases, and sterol O-acyltransferase 1 (SOAT1) is a key enzyme for the biosynthesis of cholesteryl ester. In the present study, wild-type (WT) mice and SOAT1-knockout (KO) mice with a C57BL6 background fed a HFD were used to explore the role of SOAT1 in the hypothalamus. The results show that the WT mice exhibited a significant increase in body weight as well as hepatic histologic changes; they also had a lower glucose and insulin tolerance than the WT mice fed a normal diet. However, the metabolic syndrome was attenuated in the SOAT1-KO HFD-fed mice. With regard to brain function, the SOAT1-KO HFD-fed mice showed improved cognitive function; they also manifested reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and IL-6, which would otherwise be raised by a HFD. In addition, the HFD led to the overexpression of GFAP and phosphorylated NF-κB in the hypothalamus, changes that were reversed in the SOAT1-KO HFD-fed mice. Moreover, SOAT1-KO mice improved HFD-caused defective hypothalamic insulin resistance, as evidenced by the upregulation of p-insulin receptor (INSR), p-AKT and p-glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß, while the downregulation of p-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)-α and p-acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)-α. In addition, similar results were observed in high fructose (HFR)-stimulated astrocytes (ASTs) isolated from WT or KO mice. These results suggest that SOAT1 plays an important role in hypothalamic insulin sensitivity, linked to cognitive impairment, in HFD-fed mice.

Time Series Models for Short Term Prediction of the Incidence of Japanese Encephalitis in Xianyang City, P R China / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Objective To construct a model of Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) for forecasting the epidemic of Japanese encephalitis (JE) in Xianyang, Shaanxi, China, and provide valuable reference information for JE control and prevention. Methods Theoretically epidemiologic study was employed in the research process. Monthly incidence data on JE for the period from Jan 2005 to Sep 2014 were obtained from a passive surveillance system at the Center for Diseases Prevention and Control in Xianyang, Shaanxi province. An optimal SARIMA model was developed for JE incidence from 2005 to 2013 with the Box and Jenkins approach. This SARIMA model could predict JE incidence for the year 2014 and 2015. Results SARIMA (1, 1, 1) (2, 1, 1)was considered to be the best model with the lowest Bayesian information criterion, Akaike information criterion, Mean Absolute Error values, the highest R, and a lower Mean Absolute Percent Error. SARIMA (1, 1, 1) (2, 1, 1)was stationary and accurate for predicting JE incidence in Xianyang. The predicted incidence, around 0.3/100 000 from June to August in 2014 with low errors, was higher compared with the actual incidence. Therefore, SARIMA (1, 1, 1) (2, 1, 1)appeared to be reliable and accurate and could be applied to incidence prediction. Conclusions The proposed prediction model could provide clues to early identification of the JE incidence that is increased abnormally (≥0.4/100 000). According to the predicted Results in 2014, the JE incidence in Xianyang will decline slightly and reach its peak from June to August.

Colorectal cancer, one entity or three / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Understanding of the mechanism of colorectal carcinogenesis has been gaining momentum for some years on account of its high incidence and impact on the lives of individuals affected. Different genetic abnormalities have been found in colorectal cancers from different sites. For example, proximal colon cancer is usually related to the nucleotide instability pathway, as microsatellite instability (MSI). However, distal colon cancer is usually associated with specific chromosomal instability (CIN). The development of cancer at the rectum, though similar to that at the colon, displays its own unique features. These differences might be partially attributed to different embryological development and physiological circumstances. Environmental factors such as diet and alcohol intake also differ in their role in the development of tumors in the three segments, proximal colon, distal colon, and rectum. "Proximal shift" of colon cancer has been known for some time, and survival rates of colorectal cancer are higher when rectal cancers are excluded, both of which emphasize the three different segments of colorectal cancer and their different properties. Meanwhile, colonic and rectal cancers are distinctive therapeutic entities. The concept of three entities of colorectal cancer may be important in designing clinical trails or therapeutic strategies. However, the dispute about the inconsistency of data concerning the site-specific mechanism of colorectal carcinoma does exist, and more evidence about molecular events of carcinogenesis and targeted therapy needs to be collected to definitely confirm the conception.

Influence of Radix Astragali on nitric oxide and endothelin-1 in pulmonary tissue in hypoxemic pulmonary hypertension in rats / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the influence of Radix Astragali (RA) on pulmonary tissue endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO) in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty one healthy male Wistar rats weighing 210-310 g were divided into three group at random with 7 in each. The rats in control group were raised in ordinary room condition; those in hypoxic group were raised in ordinary pressure hypoxic box [concentration of O(2) was (10.0 +/- 0.5)%] for 8 hours a day, for 30 days; those in RA group were raised in the same condition as hypoxic group and treated with an intraperitoneal injection of RA 8 g/kg per day. The rats in the control group and hypoxic group were given the same volume of intraperitoneal injection of normal saline. Mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), mean carotid artery pressure (mCAP) were measured via right cardiac catheterization, concentration of NO in pulmonary tissue was measured by radioimmunoassay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The mPAP (mm Hg) (21.9 +/- 1.6) and ET-1 (pg/ml) (309.1 +/- 58.1) in hypoxemic group were significantly higher than those in RA group (16.2 +/- 0.8, 287.7 +/- 57.5) and control group (15.3 +/- 0.8, 241.1 +/- 52.5) (P < 0.01, < 0.05), but the difference between RA group and control group was not significant. (2) NO (micromol/L) in pulmonary tissue in hypoxemic group (6.5 +/- 0.3) was lower than that in RA group and control group (9.2 +/- 0.9), NO in RA group was higher than that in hypoxic group but lower than that in control group (P < 0.05). (3) There was no significant difference in mCAP among the three groups (P > 0.05). (4) Under electron microscope, the endothelial cells of arterioles of the lung tissue of control group were flat and had normal morphology. However, in the lung tissue of hypoxic group, there were proliferation, hypertrophy and swelling of endothelial cells of pulmonary medium and small arteries and plenty of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula in cytoplasm.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Chronic hypoxia can result in reconstruction and endothelial lesion in pulmonary arterioles of rats, elevation of mPAP and ET-1 in pulmonary tissue, and decrease of NO. Injection of Radix Astraglai can reverse the reconstruction of pulmonary vessels partially, regulate the concentration of ET-1 and NO in pulmonary tissue, which may have certain therapeutic effects on pulmonary arteriolar changes induced by hypoxia.</p>

Study on islet function of SD rats in second and third trimesters of pregnancy / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the glucose tolerance and ability of insulin secretion in SD rats in second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Methods SD rats with pregnancy of 15 d were selected as experimental group(n=6),and another 6 rats of the same batch without pregnancy were served as controls(n=6).Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance trials(IPGTT) were conducted in these two groups.Rat islets were isolated after in situ collagenase digestion through pancreatic duct perfusion,islet morphology was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope,and insulin secretion was determined by radioimmunoassay. Results It was revealed by IPGTT that the levels of glucose at 30,60,90 and 120 min were significantly lower in experimental group than those in control group(P

Effect of Amylin on Secretion of Insulin and Glucagon in Rats / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To study the effect of amylin on the secretion of glucagon and insulin in isolated rat islets. Methods The models of isolated rat islets were established by collagenase digestion and dextran gradient centrifugation. The influence of various concentrations of amylin on both glucagon and insulin secretion was studied. Results Various concentrations of glucose increased the insulin secretion and decreased the glucagon secretion.Compared with the control, islets exposed to amylin (10~ -10 to 10~ -5 mol/L) for 1 hour showed decreasing glucagon secretion as the glucose increased (0, 5.6 and 11.2 mmol/L) (P

Ginsenoside Rb_1 facilitates adipocyte differentiation and inhibits lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes / 中华内分泌代谢杂志

Objective To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rb1,the most abundant ginsenoside in ginseng root,on differentiation and lipolysis of 3T3-L1 cells and to explore its anti-diabetic mechanism.Methods 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes were induced under standard differentiation process in the presence of 0.1,1,10,100?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 for 6 days.Oil red O staining,measurement of triglyceride contents and glucose uptake assay were performed.The expressions of mRNA and protein of PPAR?2,C/EBP?,ap2,glucose transporter (Glut) 1,and Glut4 were analysed with quantitative real time-PCR and Western blot.The binding affinity of Rb_1 to PPAR?-LBD was evaluated by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).Lipolysis of adipocytes was examined by the measurement of glycerol released from adipoeytes treated with Rb_1 for 1 h.Results Ginsenoside Rb_1 facilitated differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipoeytes in a dose-depondent manner.10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased lipid accumulation by about 56%.Treatment of differentiating adipocytes with 10?mol/L ginsenoside Rb_1 increased the expressions of PPAR?2 and C/EBP?mRNA and protein,as well as mRNA expression of ap2,one of their target genes.After treatment of differentiating adipoeytes with Rb_1,basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport augmented significantly accompanied by up-regulations of mRNA and protein level of Glut4,but not of Glutl.SPR showed Rb_1 could bind to PPAR?which suggested Rb_1 was a ligand of PPAR?.Ginsenoside Rb_1 inhibited basal lipolysis in adipoeytos in a dose-dependent manner.However,it did not affect isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis.Conclusion As a PPAR?ligand,ginsenoside Rb_1 promotes adipogenesis,inhibitas basal lipolysis and inereasos basal and insulin-mediated glucose transport in cultured adipoeytes.Therefore,anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitizing activity of ginsenosides is,at least in part,involved in the enhancing effect on PPAR?2 and C/EBP?expressions,hence promoting adipogenesis and glucose uptake,and inhibiting lipolysis in adipocytes.