ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective:To discuss the effect of sericin on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt)/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and apoptosis in the streptozotocin(STZ)-damaged INS-1 cells,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The INS-1 cells were cultured with complete medium containing 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 Akt1 inhibitor A-674563,10 mmol·L-1 STZ,and 600 mg·L-1 sericin,and divided into 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 A-674563 groups,and the control group(complete medium without drugs)was set up.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the survival rates of the INS-1 cells,and the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)value was calculated to determine the optimal inhibitory concentration of A-674563,which was further verified by Western blotting method.The INS-1 cells were divided into normal control group(complete medium),model group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+complete medium),and low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+150 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium,10 mmol·L-1 STZ+300 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium,and 10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium).CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival rates of the INS-1 cells in various groups to determine the optimal concentration of sericin.Additionally,the INS-1 cells were divided into normal control group(complete medium),model group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+complete medium),sericin group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium),and A-674563 group(10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563+complete medium).Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptotic rates of the INS-1 cells in various groups;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of Akt1,NF-κB,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),and interleukin-6(IL-6)mRNA in the INS-1 cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of phosphorylated Akt1(p-Akt1)and NF-κB proteins in the INS-1 cells in various groups;enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in various groups.Results:The survival rates of the INS-1 cells in control group was 100.00%±0.00%;in 0,0.1,0.3,1.0,3.0,and 10.0 μmol·L-1 A-674563+10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium groups,which were 82.50%±2.28%,69.47%±1.94%,51.51%±1.74%,38.94%±1.57%,24.79%±1.14%,and 19.85%±1.03%,respectively.The IC?? value of A-674563 for INS-1 cells was 0.3 μmol·L-1,and 0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563 was selected for subsequent experiments.Compared with 0 μmol·L-1 A-674563,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells after treated with 0.3 μmol·L-1 A-674563+10 mmol·L-1 STZ+600 mg·L-1 sericin+complete medium was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The CCK-8 results showed that compared with normal control group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the survival rates of the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Thus,600 mg·L-1 sericin was selected for subsequent experiments.The CCK-8 results showed that compared with normal control group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the survival rate of the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with normal control group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the apoptotic rate of the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with normal control group,the expression level of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the expression level of Akt1 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with normal control group,the expression levels of NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-6 mRNA in the INS-1 cells in sericin group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the expression level of NF-κB mRNA in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The Western blotting results showed that compared with normal control group,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression levels of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in low,medium,and high doses of sericin groups were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with low and medium doses of sericin groups,the expression level of p-Akt1 protein in the INS-1 cells in high dose of sericin group was significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with normal control group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in model group was significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in sericin group was significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the expression level of NF-κB protein in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group was significantly increased(P<0.05).The ELISA results showed that compared with normal control group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in model group were significantly increased(P<0.05);compared with model group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in sericin group were significantly decreased(P<0.05);compared with sericin group,the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the INS-1 cells in A-674563 group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Sericin alleviates the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway-mediated inflammatory response and apoptosis by targeting Akt1,exerting a protective effect against STZ-induced damage in INS-1 cells.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Background Injury poses a serious threat to human health. As global warming continues to intensify, there is an urgent need to explore the impact of temperature changes on injury deaths. However limited research has focused on this issue. Objective To investigate the relationship between daily mean temperature change (Tm) and injury death, as well as to estimate the associated future death burden in Hunan Province. Methods We employed an individual-level, time-stratified case-crossing design to establish a conditional logistic regression model to analyze the exposure-response relationship between daily mean temperature change and injury death in Hunan Province from 2013 to 2018. Consequently, we conducted subgroup analysis of gender, age group, and injury type. Finally, we estimated the excess burden of injury death attributable to temperature changes under a sustainable development path [low emission scenario (SSP1-2.6)], regional competition path [high emission scenario (SSP3-7.0)], or fossil fuel development path [very high emission scenario (SSP5-8.5)]. Results The study collected 155577 injury deaths in Hunan Province. The results indicated that for each 1 ℃ increment in daily mean temperature, the cumulative excess risk (CER) of injury mortality among Hunan residents increased by 0.71% (95%CI: 0.53%, 0.90%). Notably, the CER for intentional injuries (1.06%, 95%CI: 0.51%, 1.61%) was higher than that for unintentional injuries (0.66%, 95%CI: 0.46%, 0.87%). Warmer temperatures were positively associated with CER of mortality due to drowning, falls, transport injuries, assaults, and suicides, while they were negatively associated with mortality due to poisoning. Compared with 2010–2019, for 2090–2099, the excess mortality rate (EMR) due to ambient temperature increase in Hunan Province under the SSP5-8.5 scenario (14.62/100000, 95%CI: 10.81/100000, 18.40/100000) would be higher than that of the SSP3-7.0 scenario (10.28/100000, 95%CI: 7.58/100000, 12.97/100000) and the SSP1-2.6 scenario (3.35/100000, 95%CI: 2.46/100000, 4.23/100000); the EMR would be around 2.5 times among men (20.64/100000, 95%CI: 14.44/100000, 26.8/100000) than that among women (8.33/100000, 95%CI: 3.98/100000, 12.6/100000). Among unintentional injuries, the leading contributors to EMR would be drowning (4.46/100000), falls (3.96/100000), and transport injuries (2.96/100000). And among intentional injuries, the EMR for suicide (2.08/100000) would be higher than that for assault (0.47/100000). Conclusion Climate warming will increase the total burden of injury-related deaths among residents in Hunan Province, especially in the absence of effective mitigation strategies and measures. It is necessary to strengthen the prevention and control of severe injuries closely related to temperature changes, such as drowning, falls, traffic, and suicides injuries, in order to reduce injury deaths associated with climate change.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of synthetic magnetic resonance imaging (syMRI) combined with clinicopathological characteristics for the pre-treatment prediction of chemoradiotherapy (CRT) response in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (ANPC). Materials and Methods: Patients with ANPC treated with CRT between September 2020 and June 2022 were retrospectively enrolled and categorized into response group (RG, n = 95) and non RGs (NRG, n = 32) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) 1.1. The quantitative parameters from pre-treatment syMRI (longitudinal [T1] and transverse [T2] relaxation times and proton density [PD]), diffusion-weighted imaging (apparent diffusion coefficient [ADC]), and clinicopathological characteristics were compared between RG and NRG. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify parameters independently associated with CRT response and to construct a multivariable model. The areas under the receiveroperating characteristic curve (AUC) for various diagnostic approaches were compared using the DeLong test. Results: The T1, T2, and PD values in the NRG were significantly lower than those in the RG (all P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was observed in the ADC values between these two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics (Epstein–Barr virus [EBV]-DNA level, lymph node extranodal extension, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression) exhibited significant differences between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that T1, PD, EBV-DNA level, clinical stage, and Ki-67 expression had significant independent relationships with CRT response (all P < 0.05). The multivariable model incorporating these five variables yielded AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values of 0.974, 93.8% (30/32), and 91.6% (87/95), respectively. Conclusion SyMRI may be used for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response in ANPC. The multivariable model incorporating syMRI quantitative parameters and clinicopathological characteristics, which were independently associated with CRT response, may be a new tool for the pretreatment prediction of CRT response.

AIM:We aimed to evaluate the effect of angiotensin(Ang)(1-7)on autophagy in MIN6 cells un-der high-palmitate(PA)and high-glucose culture conditions.METHODS:MIN6 cells were cultured under various con-ditions:Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium(control,CON),high glucose and high PA concentrations(GLT),Ang(1-7)plus high glucose and high PA concentrations[Ang(1-7)+GLT],A779 inhibitor plus Ang(1-7)plus high glucose and high PA concentrations[A779+Ang(1-7)+GLT],and 3-methyladenine(3-MA)plus Ang(1-7)plus high glucose and high PA concentrations[3-MA+Ang(1-7)+GLT].The expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)was assessed using immunofluorescence,and Western blot was used to measure the expression of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and P62.Apoptosis was quantified using flow cytometry.RESULTS:GLT cells had fewer cytoplas-mic organelles,more vacuolated cells,an altered autophagosome distribution,higher P62 expression(P＜0.05),and greater apoptosis(P＜0.05)than CON cells.Ang(1-7)+GLT cells showed greater autophagosome formation,much less cy-toplasmic vacuolization,a higher LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ ratio(P＜0.05),lower P62 expression(P＜0.05),and less apoptosis(P＜0.05)than CON cells.A779 negated the pro-autophagic effects of Ang(1-7)in the MIN6 cells.Furthermore,inhibition of autophagy with 3-MA resulted in significantly greater apoptosis in 3-MA+Ang(1-7)+GLT cells vs Ang(1-7)-treated cells.CONCLUSION:Ang(1-7)activates Mas receptors to promote autophagy in pancreatic β cells cultured under high-glucose and high-fat conditions,thereby mitigating apoptosis and cellular pathology.