Type 2 diabetes is a hypermetabolic disease characterized with disorders of glucose/lipid metabolism, absolute or relative lack of insulin, and can induce skeletal muscle atrophy. Hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance, and abnormal release of inflammatory factors can lead to abnormal signal transduction in skeletal muscle, thus make protein synthesis and degradation imbalance and eventually causing muscle atrophy. Under normal conditions, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)/insulin can activate phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT). AKT not only increases protein synthesis through mammalian target protein of rapamycin (mTOR), but also phosphorylates forkhead box O (FoxO) transcription factor and then inhibits the transcription of several ubiquitin ligases (such as MAFbx/atrogin-1 and MuRF1), or autophagy related genes. The weakened IGF-1/PI3K/AKT pathway in type 2 diabetes is an important factor leading to skeletal muscle atrophy. Studies have shown that the commonly used anti-type 2 diabetic drugs have different effects in regulating the synthesis and degradation of skeletal muscle protein. Studies reported that drugs with effect of anti-diabetic muscle atrophy include thiazolidinediones, glucagon-like peptide analogs, glucose-sodium cotransporter 2 inhibitors, etc.; drugs that are still in controversial or even promote skeletal muscle atrophy include metformin, and some sulfonylurea or non-sulfonylurea insulin secretagogues. This article overviewed and analyzed the currently commonly used drugs for type 2 diabetes and summarized the related mechanisms, with the aim to provide references for the rational applications of drugs for type 2 diabetes.

Objective To explore the clinical application and outlook of anterior segment observation with Stratus optical coherence tomography(Stratus OCT).Design Prospective case series.Participants 56 eyes in 38 patients with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG).Methods Morphological changes of anterior chamber angle (ACA) were observed with Stratus OCT before and 4 weeks after laser iridectomy.Opening status of ACA were described and measured with Photoshop software.Main Outcome Measures Opening degree of ACA and ratio of anterior chamber depth to thickness of cornea.Results To a great deal of extent,Stratus OCT could be used to observe the appearance of ACA. Clear images of ACA could be acquired.The ACA before laser was (15.67?5.33) degree and significantly reopened to(26.56?8.17) degree after laser iridectomy (P=0.000).The ratio of anterior chamber depth to thickness of cornea was also changed from (0.39?0.13) pre-treatment to (0.89?0.32) pest-treatment(P=0.000).Conclusions Stratus OCT could be applied to observe the changes of opening degree of ACA easily.The standard of quantization should be consummated in the future.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) on urodynamics indices in rats with overactive bladder (OAB) after cystostomy, and to explore its regulation mechanism on bladder function.

METHODSForty-eight Sprague-Dawley female rats which received cystostomy were randomly divided into a blank group (group A), a blank Sanyinjiao group (group B), a blank non-acupoint group (group C), a model group (group D), a model Sanyinjiao group (group E) and a model non-acupoint group (group F), 8 rats in each one. The model of OAB was established with 1% acetic acid solution perfused into the bladder in the group D, group E and group F. No treatment was given to the group A and group D. Acupuncture was applied at bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) in the group B and group E, followed by EA after the arrival of qi. Acupuncture was applied at bilateral non-acupoint in the group C and group F, followed by EA with continuous wave, 2 Hz of frequency for 30 min. The treatment was given for continuous 5 urination cycles. The BL-420 E+ biological function experiment system was used to measure and record the changes of indices of bladder pressure and urodynamics.

RESULTSCompared with the group A, the bladder capacity and urine output in the group B were significantly increased (both P<0.05), and the urination rate was increased in the group C (P<0.05); the differences of each index between group C and group B were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). Compared with the group D, the capacity pressure, bladder capacity, detrusor pressure, urinary output and urination rate in the group E were all increased (all P<0.05). Compared with the group F, the capacity pressure and detrusor pressure in the group E were increased (both P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe EA at "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) could significantly improve urine function in rats with OAB after cystostomy, but its regulation effect on urination is not obvious in rats with non-OAB.

Acupuncture Points ; Animals ; Cystostomy ; Disease Models, Animal ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Urinary Bladder ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy

Objective To investigate the role of plasma tissue factor (TF) and tissue factor pathway inhibitor-1 (TFPI-1) level and to observe the effect of extrinsic TFPI-1 on no-reflow (NR) in a rabbit model of ischemia/reperfusion. Methods Rabbits were randomized into four groups (n = 10 each): ischemic- reperfusion group (IR, subjected to 120 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and followed by 60 minutes of reperfusion); ischemic- reperfusion TFPI-1 group (100 ng/kg bolus and 1 ng · kg~(-1) · min~(-1) infusion during reperfusion) ; ischemic group (subjected to 180 minutes of coronary artery occlusion) and sham group. The NR area and ischemic area were determined by thioflavin S and Evan's blue staining in vivo. Plasma TF and TFPI-1 levels were measured before operation, before and at 120 minutes post coronary artery ligation, 10 and 60 minutes after reperfusion by ELISA. Results Plasma TF and TFPI-1 levels before and at 120 minutes post coronary artery ligation were similar among the four groups (all P > 0.05). At 10 and 60 minutes after reperfusion, the plasma TF levels in the IR group was significantly higher than those in ischemic group and sham group [10 minutes: (20.7 ±4. 1) pg/ml vs. (13.9 ±2. 2)pg/ml(P <0. 001), (20.7±4. l)pg/ml vs. (13.2±2.6) pg/ml(P<0. 001); 60 minutes; (15.8±2.6) pg/ml vs. (13.5± 1.6) pg/ml(P<0.05), (15.8 ±2.6) pg/ml vs. (12.1 ±0.7) pg/ml (P < 0. 001)] while the plasma TFPI-1 levels were similar among IR, ischemic and sham groups at 10 minutes after reperfusion and at 60 minutes after reperfusion (all P >0. 05). TFPI-1 level [(9.7 ± 1. 6) ng/ml] was significantly lower in the IR group than in the ischemic group [(11.6 ±1.6) ng/ml, P < 0. 05] and sham group [( 10. 1 ±1.3) ng/ml, P < 0. 01] . TF mRNA expression in the NR area in IR group was significantly up-regulated compared to the ischemic group (P<0. 05) and sham group (P <0. 001 ) while TFPI-1 mRNA expression was similar between IR group and ischemic group ( P > 0. 05 ) . NR severity in the ischemic-reperfusion TFPI-1 group was significantly attenuated compared to IR group (0. 39 ±0. 11 vs. 0.54±0.06, P<0.01). Conclusion Upregulated TF mRNA expression in the NR area and increased plasma TF level during reperfusion period, reduced plasma TFPI-1 level during reperfusion period as well as attenuated NR severity by extrinsic application of human rTFPI-1 in this model suggested an important role in the pathogenesis of the NR phenomenon.

OBJECTIVETo assess the therapeutic efficacy and safety of Kunxian Capsule (KXC) in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

METHODSRandomized positive parallel controlled and multi-center open test method was adopted. 240 RA patients of mild/moderate degree were randomly assigned to three groups equally, i.e., KXC group (who took KXC), the methotrexate (MTX) group (who took MTX), and the KXC + MTX group (who took KXC and MTX simultaneously), respectively. The therapeutic course for them all was 12 weeks. The effect of the treatment was assessed in items of DAS28, ACR20, and ACR50; number of joints with pain and swelling; VAS score of pain, tiredness, and general condition; time of morning stiffness; bilateral grip strength; HAQ score, as well as blood levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibody, and platelet count.

RESULTSBy the end of the 4th week, the improvement of ACR20, ACR50, DAS28 efficacy judgment, and DAS28 score in the KXC + MTX group were much better than those in the other two groups, with statistical difference (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 88. 6% and the markedly effective rate was 51.8% in the KXC + MTX group at the 12 th week. The Improvement was more obviously shown in all groups after treatment (all P<0.05). Better effects in reducing VAS scores of pain and tiredness were shown in the KXC group and the KXC + MTX group. The effects of KXC + MTX were superior to the other two groups in terms of swollen joint numbers, pain joints, grip strength (assessed by researcher), as well as VAS score of general condition and HAQ score (assessed by both patients and researcher, P<0.05). But the differences among groups in improving morning stiffness and the incidence rate of adverse events were in- significant.

CONCLUSIONSKXC could relieve symptoms, improve joint functions, physical signs, and laboratory indices of RA patients with less adverse reaction. It was synergistic with MTX.

Adult ; Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Methotrexate ; therapeutic use ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To develop an antigen retrieval method for detection of human mammaglobin ( hMAM) immuno-histochemcal staining in old paraffin-embedded specimens .Methods The tissue sections in test group were put into dis-tilled water after deparaffinization and then moved into citric acid buffer ( pH 3.5) for 10-15 min.The other two meth-ods,microwave method and high pressure cooker method ,were compared as control groups at the same time .Finally, immu-nohistochemistry SP method was used to check the antibody in the sections .Results The color appearance in the test group (pH 3.5 citric solution) was better than that of microwave oven and high pressure cooker groups .In the test group, tissue sections were not easily cast off from the slices .Conclusion In this study,we have established a new and simple antigen retrieval method which will contribute to immunohistochemistry technology .

A novel sesquiterpenoid (1) and three known compounds identified as isoaltenuene (2), altenuene (3), and alternariol 4, 10-O-dimethyl ether (4), were isolated in our investigation of the cytotoxic constituents from solid cultures of the endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. The structures of these compounds were elucidated through spectroscopic data analysis. All compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity against lung cancer cell line A549, breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 and pancreatic cancer cell line PANC-1. Compound 4 could induce the PANC-1 cells inflation or death, but couldn't induce apoptosis at the IC50 of 60.2 microg x mL(-1).
Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Colletotrichum ; chemistry ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Lactones ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Sesquiterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the usefulness of (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging in restaging, evaluating the treatment outcome, monitoring relapse and predicting prognosis of T-cell lymphoma.

METHODSRetrospective analysis of PET/CT image results of thirty-four patients with T-cell lymphoma, and to evaluate its clinical significance in restaging, treatment efficiency, relapse monitor and prognosis prediction.

RESULTSClinical restaging among the 20 stage I and II patients, 6 were ascended, 9 descended and 5 unchanged. Restaging among the other 14 stage III and IV patients, 3 were ascended, 4 descended and 7 unchanged. There were 12 patients in complete remission (CR), 11 in partial remission (PR), 2 in stable disease (SD) and 9 in progressive disease (PD) among all the 34 patients. There is obvious statistical difference of the standardized uptake value (SUV) between the efficacy group and the inefficacy group after treatment of 6 courses at least in 25 patients among all the 34 patients (P = 0.009). There is obvious statistical difference of the SUV value before and after treatment in 8 patients among all the 34 patients (P = 0.000). There is obvious statistical difference in the survival time between the efficacy group and the inefficacy group after treatment of 6 courses at least in 25 patients among all the 34 patients (P = 0.015).

CONCLUSIONS(18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging plays an very important role in guiding clinical restaging, evaluating the treatment outcome, monitoring relapse and predicting prognosis of T-cell lymphoma. It is helpful to establish personalized treatment planning.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphoma, T-Cell ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF) beta1/Smad signaling pathway on the expression and enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) in cultured rat mesangial cells (MsC).

METHODSLipofectin method was used to transfect Smad 2, Smad 3 and Smad 7 vectors into MsC; and immunofluorescence, RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were used to detect their transfection efficiency. The expression and enzymatic activity of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were determined by Western blot, zymography or reverse zymography assay.

RESULTSMsC transfected with Smad 2 gene showed slightly increased expression and enzymatic activity of both MMP-2 and TIMP-2, which was more obvious upon stimulation by TGF-beta1. MsC transfected with Smad 3 gene showed a slight upregulation of TIMP-2 expression and its enzymatic activity, which was enhanced after TGF-beta1 stimulation. There was however no change in MMP-2 expression and its enzymatic activity. On the other hand, MsC transfected with Smad 7 gene showed a decrease in MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression and enzymatic activity, which was especially obvious after stimulation by TGF-beta1.

CONCLUSIONSTGF-beta1/Smad signaling pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of glomerulosclerosis, probably via MMP-2 and TIMP-2 expression and the associated enzymatic activity.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Glomerular Mesangium ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; Smad2 Protein ; Smad3 Protein ; Smad7 Protein ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; physiology ; Transfection ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between morphological variation and gentiopicroside content in cultivated Gentiana manshurica roots and to investigate the feasibility of breeding new varieties of high effective constituent content.

METHODGentiopicroside was determined in 5 morphological types of cultivated G. manshurica roots by HPLC, which are normal (or wild) type, white-flowered type, thick-rooted type, broad-leaved type I and broad-leaved type II.

RESULTAmong different types gentiopicroside content is the highest in the roots of thick-rooted type, the contents decrease as following order: normal type, broad-leaved type I white-flowered type and broad-leaved type II, and the gentiopicroside contents in the same type root system are a positive correlation with root ages, as 3-years-age roots > 2-years-age roots > 1-year-age varied with roots.

CONCLUSIONThe contents of effective constituent vary with the morphological variation in cultivated G. manshurica. It is feasible to breed a new variety with high effective constituent with the morphological character as a selecting index.

Genetic Variation ; Gentiana ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Iridoid Glucosides ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; chemistry ; classification ; Pyrans ; analysis ; Species Specificity