1.Relationship between "Nutrients-intestinal Flora" and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Based on Theory of "Linkage between Spleen and Small Intestine"
Zhichao CHEN ; Qiaoni LIN ; Jinxi WANG ; Zishan FU ; Yufeng YANG ; Yan SHI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(15):206-214
The theory of "linkage between spleen and small intestine" has been put forward by doctors as early as the Ming dynasty. In traditional Chinese medicine, the spleen and small intestine cooperate and work together physiologically, and they are also closely related and interact with each other pathologically. The spleen governs transportation and transformation, which involves the function of the small intestine in transforming water and grain. The small intestine, governing the receiving and transformation of substances, depends on the normal transportation of the spleen. At the same time, it provides guarantee for the spleen to transform Qi and generate blood as well as ascend lucidity and descend turbidity. The dysfunction of spleen in transportation is closely related to the dysfunction of small intestine. The stability of intestinal microecology necessitates the normal functioning of the spleen. When the original balance of intestinal flora is disturbed, the spleen functioning will be affected. This study explored the pathogenesis and treatment of diabetes based on the physiological functions of the spleen and small intestine and the Western medicine targets of "nutrients-intestinal flora". According to modern medicine, nutrients are essential to maintain the normal physiological activities of the human body. Proper intake of nutrients can affect the absorption and metabolism of the human body for nutrients by regulating the composition and function of intestinal flora, so as to prevent the occurrence of diabetes. The imbalance of intestinal flora which harbors rich microorganisms may lead to the disturbance of energy metabolism and the dysfunction of the immune system, eventually leading to diabetes. As a metabolic disease, diabetes is closely related to the imbalance of intestinal flora and nutrient intake. Based on the theory of "linkage between spleen and small intestine", this paper discusses the relationship between spleen and small intestine. Furthermore, this paper discusses the correlation between "spleen-small intestine" and "nutrients-intestinal flora" by reviewing the latest progress in modern medicine and clinical research, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and new ideas for the clinical prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
2.Mechanism of Xibining Ⅱ Combined with ADSC-Exos in Improving Knee Osteoarthritis by Regulating Mitochondrial Autophagy
Junfeng KANG ; Lishi JIE ; Houyu FU ; Taiyang LIAO ; Lei SHI ; Zishan SU ; Likai YU ; Yibao WEI ; Deren LIU ; Di TIAN ; Jun MAO ; Peimin WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(11):111-119
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Xibining (XBN) and adipose stem cell exosome (ADSC-Exos) in the cases of separate or joint application on cartilage degeneration and mitochondrial autophagy and explore its mechanism of action to improve knee osteoarthritis (KOA). MethodSD rats were divided into a sham operation group (sham group), a model group, an ADSC-Exos group (Exos group), an XBN group, and an ADSC-Exos+XBN group (Exos+XBN group). KOA model was established by using anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT). The pain sensitivity status of rats was evaluated, and the degeneration degree of the knee joint and cartilage tissue was detected by Micro-CT and pathological staining. The expression of p62 and LC3B was observed by immunofluorescence, and the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-15 in rats were detected by ELISA. The Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of MMP-3, MMP-13, ADAMTS5, ColⅡ, TIMP, ACAN, PINK1, Parkin, p62, and LC3A/B. ResultCompared with the sham group, rats in the model group showed decreased cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds, varying degrees of abrasion and loss of cartilage tissue, degeneration of cartilage tissue, elevated serum IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and TNF-α levels (P<0.01), and increased protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5 in cartilage tissue. In addition, the protein expression of ColⅡ, TIMP1, and ACAN was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, rats in each treatment group showed higher cold-stimulated foot-shrinkage thresholds and mechanical pain sensitivity thresholds, reduced cartilage tissue degeneration, lower serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-15, and TNF-α (P<0.05,P<0.01), decreased protein expression of MMP-3, MMP-13, and ADAMTS5, and higher protein expression of Cold, TIMP1, and ACAN in cartilage tissue (P<0.05,P<0.01). Moreover, the changes were the most obvious in the Exos+XBN group. ConclusionBoth ADSCs-Exos and XBN can increase the level of mitochondrial autophagy in chondrocytes and delay cartilage tissue degeneration by promoting the expression of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway, and the combination of the two can enhance the therapeutic effect.