BACKGROUND:With the research development of disc degeneration at molecular level, transforming growth factor β1 gene has a role in the proliferation and differentiation of intervertebral disc cels, and it is involved in the repair of intervertebral disc injury. But whether transforming growth factor β1 is also involved in pathophysiological process of disc degeneration has not been determined. OBJECTIVE:To discuss the relationship between transforming growth factor β1, inflammatory cytokines and degree of lumbar disc degeneration. METHODS: Twenty-two patients with lumbar disc degeneration (22 mild, 26 moderate and 24 severe cases) were enroled as observation group, and another 30 patients without lumbar disc degeneration served as control group. Levels of transforming growth factorβ1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor α were detected and compared among patients with mild, moderate and severe lumbar disc degeneration as wel as between the observation and controlgroups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Levels of transforming growth factor β1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8, tumor necrosis factor α were significantly higher in the observation group than the control group (P < 0.01). In the observation group, the above-mentioned indicators were ranked as folows: severe cases > moderate cases > mild cases (P < 0.01). There was a positive correlation between these indicators and the severity of lumbar disc degeneration (r=0.198, 0.312, 0.356, 0.275, 0.724,P < 0.01). These findings indicate that the levels of transforming growthfactor β1, interleukin-6, interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor α are increased with the severity of lumbar disc degeneration.

OBJECTIVE:To establish the quality standard for Xianrengu oral liquid. METHODS:Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used for qualitative identification of Epimedii Folium,Astragali Radix,lycium barbarum,Atractylodes macrocephala and Panax ginseng in Xianrengu oral liquid;RP-HPLC was preformed on the column of Dikma Diamonsil C18 with the mobile phase of acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid (30∶70,V/V)at the flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,the detection wavelength was 270 nm,the temperature was 30℃and the volume was 10μl. RESULTS:TLC identification had good separation,clear spots and high specifica-tion. The linear range of icariin was 7.97-510.00 μg/ml(r=0.999 3);RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were no more than 0.83%;and the average recovery was 97.69%(RSD=1.30%,n=6). CONCLUSIONS:This method is simple,accu-rate and simple,which can be used for the quality control of Xianrengu oral liquid.

Objective To establish the quality standard for Quban oral liquid .Method Thin layer chromatography (TLC)was used for quality identification of Codonopsis pilosula ,Astragalus membranaceus ,Paeonia veitchii ,Paeonia lacti‐flora,AtractylodesmacrocephalaandAngelicasinensis.ThepaeoniflorinwasdeterminedbyRP‐HPLC.Result Clearspots were obtained with good separation in TLC identification which was highly specific .The paeoniflorin area and content showed a good linear relationship at the range of 18 .20‐2 330 .00 μg/ml (r= 0 .999 9) .The average recovery was 99.72% (RSD=1.25% ) .Conclusion This method is simple ,rapid ,accurate ,and which can be used for the quality control of Quban oral liquid .

Solute carriers (SLCs) constitute the largest superfamily of membrane transporter proteins. These transporters, present in various SLC families, play a vital role in energy metabolism by facilitating the transport of diverse substances, including glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, nucleotides, and ions. They actively participate in the regulation of glucose metabolism at various steps, such as glucose uptake (e.g., SLC2A4/GLUT4), glucose reabsorption (e.g., SLC5A2/SGLT2), thermogenesis (e.g., SLC25A7/UCP-1), and ATP production (e.g., SLC25A4/ANT1 and SLC25A5/ANT2). The activities of these transporters contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Notably, SLC5A2 has emerged as a valid drug target for T2DM due to its role in renal glucose reabsorption, leading to groundbreaking advancements in diabetes drug discovery. Alongside SLC5A2, multiple families of SLC transporters involved in the regulation of glucose homeostasis hold potential applications for T2DM therapy. SLCs also impact drug metabolism of diabetic medicines through gene polymorphisms, such as rosiglitazone (SLCO1B1/OATP1B1) and metformin (SLC22A1-3/OCT1-3 and SLC47A1, 2/MATE1, 2). By consolidating insights into the biological activities and clinical relevance of SLC transporters in T2DM, this review offers a comprehensive update on their roles in controlling glucose metabolism as potential drug targets.

Sennoside A (SA) is a bioactive component of Chinese herbal medicines with an activity of irritant laxative, which is often used in the treatment of constipation and obesity. However, its activity remains unknown in the regulation of insulin sensitivity. In this study, the impact of SA on insulin sensitivity was tested in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice through dietary supplementation. At a dosage of 30 mg/kg/day, SA improved insulin sensitivity in the mice after 8-week treatment as indicated by HOMA-IR (homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance) and glucose tolerance test (GTT). SA restored plasma level of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP1) by 90% and mRNA expression of by 80% in the large intestine of HFD mice. In the mechanism, SA restored the gut microbiota profile, short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), and mucosal structure in the colon. A mitochondrial stress was observed in the enterocytes of HFD mice with ATP elevation, structural damage, and complex dysfunction. The mitochondrial response was induced in enterocytes by the dietary fat as the same responses were induced by palmitic acid in the cell culture. The mitochondrial response was inhibited in HFD mice by SA treatment. These data suggest that SA may restore the function of microbiota-GLP1 axis to improve glucose metabolism in the obese mice.