OBJECTIVETo explore the intervention effect of Qushi Huayu Decoction (QHD) on high-fat diet induced hepatic lipid deposition and its dose-effect relationship in rats.

METHODSFatty liver model of rats were established simply by 10 weeks of high-fat diet feeding, and starting from the 7th week of modeling, they were gastric perfused respectively with saline (model group), high-dose QHD (QHDh group), low-dose QHD (QHDI group) and polyene phosphatidylcholine (PP group) for successive 4 weeks. Liver pathology by electron microscope observation with HE staining and oil red staining; contents of triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) in liver tissue; and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), and TG in rats were determined.

RESULTSIn the model group, the significant hepatic steatosis and vesicle changes as well as severe accumulation of middle- and micro-sized fatty drops in the hepatocyte plasma were found under electron microscope; with TG and FFA contents in liver tissue elevated to 3.2 and 3.5 multiples of those in normal group respectively, but, the difference between them in serum levels of ALT, AST, TG and TC were not significant. Above-mentioned pathological changes in the QHDh, QHDI and PP groups were all ameliorated significantly with the hepatic TG decreased to 57.55%, 72.32% and 71.07%, and FFA decreased to 48.95%, 65.67%, 55.57% of those in model group respectively, especially the effect of QHDh in reducing TG was superior to that of QHDI and PP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQHD shows an evident fatty liver antagonizing effect in rats induced by high-fat diet in a dose-dependent manner.

Animals ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; drug therapy ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy of Zaozhu Yinchen Recipe (ZZYCR) on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) patients, and to explore its effect on serum free fatty acid (FFA) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).

METHODSTotally 120 patients with NASH were randomly assigned to the treatment group (60 cases, treated with ZZYCR, one dose per day) and the control group (60 cases, treated with Silibin Meglumine Tablets, 20 mg each time, thrice per day). The therapeutic course for all was 24 weeks. Serum levels of ALT and AST activities, TC and TG levels were detected before and after treatment. Peritoneal CT was performed in all patients, and CT ratios of liver and spleen calculated. NAFLD activity score (NAS) and degree of hepatic fibrosis were assessed using pathological examinations of liver tissue, and efficacy also evaluated. Serum contents of FFA and TNF-alpha were also detected.

RESULTSCompared with before treatment in the same group, activities of ALT and AST, serum levels of TC, TG, FFA, and TNF-alpha, NAS, scores of symptoms and signs all obviously decreased, degree of hepatic fibrosis was obviously improved in the two groups (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). These changes were more obviously seen in the treatment group (P < 0.05). After 24-week treatment, the total effective rate and total clinical efficacy were 80.00% (48/60 cases) and 85.00% (51/60 cases) in the treatment group, obviously higher than those in the control group [60.00% (36/60 cases) and 73.33% (44/60 cases) respectively], with significant difference (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONZZYCR could improve the clinical efficacy of NASH patients, and its mechanism might be associated with inhibiting serum levels of FFA and TNF-alpha.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different compatibility proportion of Jiaotai pills on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rats.

METHODThe model of type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats was established by injecting streptozotocin from tail vein and feeding with high fat and high caloric diet. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into model group, Jiaotai pill 1 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 2: 1), Jiaotai pill 2 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 4: 1), Jiaotai pill 3 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 10: 1) and metformin group. Rats in different treatment groups were given by corresponding therapy from gastric tube. Meanwhile normal control group was another set. Body weight, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood lipid level including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), plasma levels of free fatty acid (FFA) and adiponectin, plasma liver enzymes activity(ALT, AST, AKP, gamma-GT) and pathological results of liver tissue were determined after eight weeks.

RESULTBody weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postpradial plasma glucose at one hour (PG-1 h), postpradial blood glucose at two hour (PG-2 h), plasma levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, FFA and liver enzymes activity were all increased in rats of model group compared with those in normal control group. Plasma levels of HDL-C and adiponectin were decreased in model group (P < 0.01). Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was apparent in liver tissues in rats of model group. Compared with model group results of OGTT, blood lipid levels and liver enzymes activity were improved while levels of HDL-C and adiponectin were increased in rats of different treatment groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was improved in liver tissues in rats of different treatment groups. Compared with metformin group, plasma level of HDL-C was elevated while AKP and gamma-GT were decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 1 group (P < 0.05), gamma-GT level was decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 2 group (P < 0.05), AST, AKP and gamma-GT levels were decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 3 group (P < 0.05). Compared with Jiaotai Pill 1 group, plasma levels of HDL-C was decreased while AKP levels was elevated significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 2 group, but HDL-C was decreased in rats of Jiaotai pill 3 group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that different compatibility proportion of Jiaotai pills are effective on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats. The effect of Jiaotai pill 1 group is better than that of other therapy groups.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Streptozocin

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Tangzhiping Granule (TZPG) on blood lipids and free fatty acids (FFA) in rats with insulin resistant diabetes (IRD).

METHODSA blank control group consisted of randomly selected normal rats was set up. The remaining rats were established to IRD model by high-fat high-sugar diet feeding and streptozotocin injection. Then the 32 successfully modeled rats were randomized into the model group (treated by saline), the Tangmaikang group (treated with Tangmaikang Granule 1.35 g/kg), and the two TZPG groups treated with high dose (2.70 g/kg) and low dose TZPG (1.35 g/kg) respectively through intragastric infusion for 4 weeks. The body weight (BW), fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin (INS), blood lipids including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and FFA were detected, and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) calculated.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, BW, FBG and INS increased while ISI decreased in the model group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). All the above-mentioned abnormal indices were improved in the three treated groups (Tangmaikang, high and low dose TZPG group), but the improvements in the high dose TZPG group were more significant than those in the other two groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Similar outcomes were also seen in blood lipids detection, in which TG, TC, LDL-C and FFA were higher and HDL-C were lower in model rats than those in blank controls, they were improved in the three treated groups (P < 0.05), and the best improvements were seen in the high dose TZPG group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTZPG could reduce levels of BW, FBG, INS, TC, TG, LDL-C and FFA, and increase levels of ISI and HDL-C in rat model of insulin resistant type 2 diabetes, so as to improve the insulin resistance in them.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Female ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

In humans, skin barrier dysfunction is thought to be responsible for enhanced penetration of allergens. Similar to conditions seen in humans, canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is characterized by derangement of corneocytes and disorganization of intercellular lipids in the stratum corenum (SC) with decreased ceramide levels. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of a moisturizer containing ceramide on dogs with CAD. Dogs (n = 20, 3~8 years old) with mild to moderate clinical signs were recruited and applied a moisturizer containing ceramide for 4 weeks. Transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin hydration, pruritus index for canine atopic dermatitis (PICAD) scores, and canine atopic dermatitis extent and severity index (CADESI) scores of all dogs were evaluated. Skin samples from five dogs were also examined with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using ruthenium tetroxide. TEWL, PICAD, and CADESI values decreased (p < 0.05) and skin hydration increased dramatically over time (p < 0.05). Electron micrographs showed that the skin barrier of all five dogs was partially restored (p < 0.05). In conclusion, these results demonstrated that moisturizer containing ceramide was effective for treating skin barrier dysfunction and CAD symptoms.
Animals ; Ceramides/*therapeutic use ; Cholesterol/*therapeutic use ; Dermatitis, Atopic/complications/drug therapy/physiopathology/*veterinary ; Dog Diseases/*drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology ; Dogs ; Emollients/*therapeutic use ; Epidermis/drug effects/physiopathology/ultrastructure ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/*therapeutic use ; Female ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary ; Pruritus/drug therapy/etiology/physiopathology/veterinary ; Republic of Korea ; Ruthenium Compounds/chemistry ; Water Loss, Insensible/drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of adiponectin (ADP) and adiponectin receptor 2 (adipoR2) in pathology of fatty liver, and to investigate the effect of Chinese herbal decoction (Qushi Huayu Decoction, QHD) on fatty liver disease.

METHODSTwo experimental fatty liver models were used. One was induced with high-fat diet for ten weeks, and the rats were divided into normal, model and QHD group, the QHD group was administrated with QHD during the last four weeks. The other experimental fatty liver model was induced by subcutaneous injection of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in combination with high-fat and low-protein diet for four weeks, and the rats were also divided into normal, model and QHD group, the QHD group was administrated with QHD during the last two weeks. The observation items include: (1) hepatic steatosis (H.E. staining); (2) serum ADP, hepatic triglyceride (TG), free fatty acid (FFA) and adipoR2; (3) correlation among serum ADP content, hepatic TG, FFA and adipoR2.

RESULTS(1) Serious hepatic steatosis, increased hepatic TG and FFA, decreased serum ADP and hepatic adipoR2 were observed in the two models (P less than 0.01). QHD administration significantly reduced the hepatic TG and FFA, and increased serum ADP and hepatic adipoR2 (P less than 0.01) in these two models. (2) Inverse correlation was observed between hepatic TG, FFA and serum ADP, hepatic adipoR2 in these two models.

CONCLUSION(1) Decreased serum ADP and hepatic adipR2 may play important roles in pathological process of fatty liver. (2) QHD administration increased the serum ADP and hepatic adipoR2.

Adiponectin ; blood ; Animals ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; administration & dosage ; Dietary Fats ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; metabolism ; Fatty Liver ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Adiponectin ; metabolism ; Triglycerides ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Tiaozhi Jiangtang Tablet (TJT) on insulin resistance (IR) in rats with diebetes mellitus type 2.

METHODSThe model rats of diebetes mellitus were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30mg/kg) and feeding with high lipid forage. The rats in the TJT group were treated with TJT and those in the metformin group treated with metformin as positive controls. The glucose infusion rate (GIR) was detected by glucose clamp technique after treatment for 8 weeks. At the same time, fasting blood glucose ( FBG), fasting insulin ( FINS), free fatty acids ( FFA), total cholesterol ( TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured respectively, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and HDL-C/TC calculated. The changes of insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism were evaluated.

RESULTSTC, TG, HDL-C/TC, FINS, and FFA significantly reduced in the TJT group as compared with those in the control group, while ISI and GIR significantly increased, the effects of TJT were similar to those of metformin.

CONCLUSIONTJT is effective in increasing insulin sensitivity and improving glucose and lipid metabolisms in rats with diebetes mellitus type 2.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Cholesterol, HDL ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; blood ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin ; blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Rats ; Tablets ; Triglycerides ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore Effects of marine collagen peptides (MCPs) on markers of metablic nuclear receptors, i.e peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARs), liver X receptor (LXRs) and farnesoid X receptor (FXRs) in type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension. METHOD Study population consisted of 200 type 2 diabetic patients with/without hypertension and 50 healthy subjects, all of whom were randomly assigned to MCPs-treated diabetics (n = 50), placebo-treated diabetics (n = 50), MCPs-treated diabetics with hypertension (n=50), placebo-treated diabetics with hypertension (n = 50), and healthy controls (n = 50). MCPs or placebo (water-soluble starch) were given daily before breakfast and bedtime over three months. Levels of free fatty acid, cytochrome P450, leptin, resistin, adiponectin, bradykinin, NO, and Prostacyclin were determined before intervention, and 1.5 months, and 3 months after intervention. Hypoglycemia and the endpoint events during the study were recorded and compared among the study groups.

RESULTAt the end of the study period, MCPs-treated patients showed marked improvement compared with patients receiving placebo. The protection exerted by MCPs seemed more profound in diabetics than in diabetics with hypertension. In particular, after MCPs intervention, levels of free fatty acid, hs-CRP, resistin, Prostacyclin decreased significantly in diabetics and tended to decrease in diabetic and hypertensive patients whereas levels of cytochrome P450, leptin, NO tended to decrease in diabetics with/without hypertension. Meanwhile, levels of adiponectin and bradykinin rose markedly in diabetics following MCPs administration.

CONCLUSIONMCPs could offer protection against diabetes and hypertension by affecting levels of molecules involved in diabetic and hypertensive pathogenesis. Regulation on metabolic nuclear receptors by MCPs may be the possible underlying mechanism for its observed effects in the study. Further study into its action may shed light on development of new drugs based on bioactive peptides from marine sources.

Adipokines ; blood ; Aged ; Biomarkers ; blood ; Bradykinin ; blood ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Collagen ; therapeutic use ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; blood ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Epoprostenol ; blood ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; blood ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Marine Biology ; Middle Aged ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Peptides ; therapeutic use ; Prospective Studies ; Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear ; metabolism

Aspirin is a kind of anti-inflammatory drug and may be used to reverse hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and dyslipidemia by improving insulin resistance. We hypothesized that aspirin improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes by inhibiting hepatic nuclear factor kappa-beta (NF-kappaB) activation and serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, untreated diabetic, diabetic treated with metformin (100 mg/kg/day), and diabetic treated with aspirin (120 mg/kg/day). Diabetes was induced by high-fat feeding and a low dose of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). After treatment, plasma glucose, insulin, lipids, free fatty acids (FFAs) concentrations and serum TNF-alpha were determined. The expression of NF-kappaB in hepatocytes was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and western blot. The results showed administration of aspirin caused no significant lowering in fasting glucose level but significant reduction of hepatic NF-kappaB expression and serum TNF-alpha level with improved insulin resistance compared to the diabetic group. The relevant analysis showed positive correlation between the expression of homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and NF-kappaB (r = 0.799, P < 0.01); HOMA-IR and serum TNF-alpha (r = 0.790, P < 0.01). It is concluded that aspirin improves insulin resistance by inhibiting hepatic NF-kappaB activation and TNF-alpha level in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal/*pharmacology ; Aspirin/*pharmacology ; Blood Glucose/analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/blood/chemically induced/*metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/blood ; Hypoglycemic Agents/*pharmacology ; Insulin/blood ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver/metabolism ; Male ; Metformin/therapeutic use ; NF-kappa B/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/*blood