To explore the analysis methods for composite traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constitutions.

【Objective】 To study the expression of leptin mRNA in Chinese obese subjects using dot blot hybridization with a digoxigenin labele d probe. 【Methods】 11 Chinese nonobese subjects (bodymass index, BMI 21.0 kg/ m2±1.5 kg/m2) and 12 Chinese obese subjects(BMI 28.5 kg/m2±2.3 kg/m 2) parti cipated in the study. The human leptin cDNA probe was labeled wih digoxigenin(DI G) b y the random priming method. Expression of leptin mRNA in abdominal adipose tiss ue has been examined using dot blot hybridization with this probe. 【Results】 T he expression of leptin mRNA was significantly higher in obese subjects than in non-obese ones (312.8±108.9 vs 175.9±81.5, relative units, P<0.0 5), an d correlated with BMI (r=0.56, P<0.05). 【Conclusions】 Leptin mRNA le vel is high in obese subjects, and correlated with BMI.

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-375 inhibited by 2'-O-me-375 on lipoapoptosis of NIT-1 pancreatic β cells. Methods NIT-1 cells were divided and treated according to the optimal condition: mock (without lipofectamine) ,lipofectamine( transfected only with lipofectamine) ,NC-miRNA (transfected with negative control miRNA) ,and 2'-O-me-375( transfected with 2'-O-me-375) groups. 72 hours later, all cells in each group were cultured with 500 μmol/L palmitate for 48 h. The percentage of apoptotic cells was detected by Hochest33342 staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL). The protein expression of myotrophin ( V1 ) , a target gene of miR-375, was detected by Western blotting. Results Compared to the other three groups,the cell apoptosis rate of 2'-O-me-375 group was the lowest (P<0.01) .along with the highest VI expression level(P<0. 01). Conclusion Inhibition of miR-375 decreases pancreatic (3-cell lipoapoptosis.

The effect of globular adiponectiin (gAd)on the function of NIT-1 cells under high glucose medium was investigated. The results showed that gad could completely block the increase of NADPH oxidase components p47phox expression and recover mRNA expression of pancreatic duodenal homeobox-I ,paired box gene 6,glucose transpoter 2,and glucokinase except neurogenic differentiation factor 1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Whereas,impaired insulin secretion and mRNA expression at high glucose concentration were not significantly improved by gAd.

Objective To explore the genetic mechanism of Yang-deficiency constitution by detecting genomic copy number variations (CNVs). Methods Thirty cases of Yang-deficiency constitution and 30 cases of balanced constitution were included according to the standards of Classification and Determination of Constitution in Traditional Chinese Medicine. DNA was extracted from white blood cells in peripheral blood. A genome-wide association study was conducted by using Affymetrix SNP 6.0 platform. CNVs of each sample were analyzed using PennyCNV software. The Yang-deficiency constitution-specific copy number variation regions (CNVRs) of each autosome were identified. CNVR-related genes and their annotations were searched at online Human Genome Browser. Results The mean number of CNVs in balanced constitution group was 12.63±3.39, ranging from 8 to 20. After stepwise elimination of two Yang-deficiency constitution subjects, the mean number of CNVs in Yang-deficiency constitution group was 15.04±8.95, ranging from 2 to 38. A total of 26 CNVRs were identified from 28 Yang-deficiency constitution subjects, including 19 duplicated CNVRs, 6 deleted CNVRs, and 1 mixed type CNVR. Most CNVRs were shared by a few Yang-deficiency constitution subjects, and only 7 CNVRs were shared by more than 5 Yang-deficiency constitution subjects. The functions of representative genes in Yang-deficiency constitution-specific CNVRs were related with extracellular and intracellular signal transduction, metabolic regulation, and immune response, etc. Conclusion Yang-deficiency constitution subjects have some specific genomic CNVs, which might result in Yang-deficiency constitution phenotypes by influencing the expression of genes associated with extracellular and intracellular signal transduction, material metabolism (energy metabolism), and immune response, etc.

BACKGROUND: Recent study showed that osteocalcin may elevate Insulin secretion and sensitivity, prevent the fat accumulation, play a role in the metablism of glucose and lipid. Undercarboxylated osteocalcin works as the main role. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of different concentrations of glucose on osteoblast undercarboxylated osteocalcin. METHODS: The rib trabeculae were resected and broken, trypsinizated and washed completely by PBS. Bone surface and non-adhesive floating cells in cleaning fluid were observed with inverted microscope. Rib trabeculae was washed by DMEM culture medium once, and cultured in culture bottle. The culture liquid was replaced by new one once a week. The osteoblast was moved from the scledte a week later. The cells were fused monolayer and could be subcultured 4 to 6 weeks later. The active second or third generation cells were inoculated to 6-pore plate forming 5 groups. Osteoblast were stimulated by 5.6 mmol/L., 7.6 mmol/L, 9.6 mmol/L, 12.6 mmol/L, 20.6 mmol/L glucose medium respectively after the 80% cells were fused, the vitamin K_2 was added into the culture liquid until the concentration of it to be 10~(-5) mol/L. Supernatant was collected after half hour culturing, the undercarboxylated osteocalcin level were detected with RIA test kit, and corrected it as the total the undercarboxylated osteccalcin, calculated the carboxylated incomplete osteocalcin rate. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The rate of ostecblast carboxylated incomplete osteocalcin was different under different concentration glucose. The rate of 7.6 mmol/L, 9.6 mmol/L, 20.6 mmol/L concentration glucose groups were higher than that of 5.6 mmol/L glucose group [(0.27±0.02)%, (0.29±0.04)%, (0.12±0.02)%, P < 0.05]. It is indicated that osteoblast could sense the change of glucose concentration by regulating the secretion of the undercarboxylated osteocalcin between the concentration of 5.6mmol/L to 9.6mmol/L, while the carboxylated incomplete osteocalcin decreased as the concentration of glucose increased.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, angiotensin Ⅱ plays an important role in onset of diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, the nuclear factor-κB may have adjustive effects on angiotonin system of kidney tissue of diabetic rats. OBJECTIVE: To observe the relationship of activity of inhibitive nuclear factor-κB with angiotensin Ⅱ and its type 1 receptor mRNA expression of renal tissue of diabetic rats. DESIGN: Completely randomized group design, control experiment. MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Animal Center, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences between March and April 2000. Fifty-one pure breed clean grade male Wistar rats were select ed. METHODS: ①Models were established in 39 rats. Streptozotocin dissolv ing in citric acid buffer (0.1 mmol/L,pH=4.5) were given to establish dia betic models with 60 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection. If the fasting blood glucose maintained above 13.9 mmol/L, the establishment of models was successful. The thirty-nine rats were randomly assigned into 3 groups: model group (n=17, without other interventional measure, feeding normally) and pyrrolidine dithiocar2. Bamate (PDTC) (active inhibitor of nuclear fac tor-κB) interventional group [n=22, PDTC at the dose of 20 mg/kg were given with intraperitoneal injection, twice a day]. Other 12 rats were as normal control group, did not make into diabetic models with normal breeding. ②After feeding for 18 weeks kidneys were got in every group. The activity of nuclear factor-κB was detected with electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ was measured with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Contents of angiotonin Ⅰ and angiotensin Ⅱ were tested with Radio Im munoassay (RIA). Activity of rennin was referred to that the result of the level of angiotonin Ⅰ at 37 ℃ water bath subduced to that at 4 ℃. ③Dif ference of measurement data was compared with single factor analysis of variance. After normal transformation, the non-normal distribution data were conducted with statistical disposal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comparison of contents of angiotensin Ⅰ and Ⅱ, activities of rennin and nuclear factor-κB and expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ in renal tissues of rats of each group. RESULTS: In the normal control group, model group and PDTC interven tional group 1, 6 and 13 rats were dropped out, respectively, so 11, 11 and 9 rats in each group were involved in the result analysis. ①Activity of nu clear factor-κB: It was higher significantly in the model group than that in the normal control group and PDTC interventional group (P ＜ 0.01 ). It was similar between the normal control group and the PDTC interventional group. ②Activity of rennin of renal tissue: It was similar among the 3 groups. ③Content of angiotonin Ⅰ of renal tissue: It was higher obviously in the model group that that in the normal control group and the PDTC interventional group (P ＜ 0.01 ). ④Content of angiotensin Ⅱ in renal tissue: It was similar between the model group and the normal control group. It was lower markedly in the PDTC interventional group than that in the model group and the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01 ). Expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ: It was lower remarkably in the model group than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01 ). It was lower dis tinctly in the PDTC interventional group than that in the model group and the normal control group (P ＜ 0.01 ). CONCLUSION: The increase of activity of nuclear factor-κB in renal tissue of diabetic rats can inhibit the activity of nuclear factor-κB, which will induce the reduction of the level of angiotensin Ⅱ and expression of type 1 receptor mRNA of angiotensin Ⅱ in renal tissue of diabetic rats.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of three regiments of transient intensive insulin therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitns: thrice preprandial injection of premixed insulin aspart 30, thrice preprandial injection of insulin aspart and injection of glargine at bedtime, thrice preprandial injection of regular insulin and injection of NPH at bedtime. Methods Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups, treated with 3 kinds of intensive insulin therapy. After achieving the target goal, continuous glucose monitoring system was used to compare the blood glucose level, therapeutic time, dosage of insulin, occurrence of hypoglycemia. Results Detected by continuous glucose monitoring system, there was no statistical difference in average blood glucose [(8.3±2.1,7.5±1.9, 6.8±0.8) mmol/L, P > 0.05], blood glucose area under curve 3 hours (AUC1-3) after breakfast, therapeutic time [ (8.3±2.5, 9.1±3.8, 8.4±1.7)d, P > 0.05], dosage of insulin [(0.63± 80%, P > 0.05) among three kinds of transient intensive insulin therapy. There were no patients complaining of hypoglycemic symptom. Conclusion The short-term efficacy and safety among three intensive insulin therapeutic methods are similar. More attention should be paid to monitor the blood glucose during sleep.

Objective To investigate the effects of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine(GlcNAc)on acute pancreatitis in rats.Methods Twenty male SD rats were randomly divided into a control group,AP group,low GlcNAc + AP group and high GlcNAc + AP group,with five rats in each group.Acute pancreatitis was induced in AP group,low GlcNAc + AP group and high GlcNAc + AP group by two intraperitoneal injections of 2.5 g/kg L-arginine with a 1 hour interval.Among them,low GlcNAc + AP group and high GlcNAc + AP group were administered 50 and 200 mg/kg GlcNAc,respectively,by intraperitoneal injection at 24 hours before the first intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine.Group control and AP were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of normal saline.After 24 h,the rats were sacrificed,and serum and pancreatic tissues were collected.Pancreatic tissue morphology was observed by HE staining,and serum levels of amylase(AMY),lipase(LPS),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Protein expression of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPAR-γ)in pancreatic tissue was detected by Western Blot.Cluster of differentiation(CD)86,CD206 and macrophage markers(F4/80)were detected by immunofluorescence.Expression of CD86 and CD206 in pancreatic tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results(1)Compared with control group,AMY,LPS,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and MDA levels and pancreatic CD86 expression in AP group were significantly increased(P<0.05),while SOD activity,protein expression levels of NRF2,HO-1,and PPAR-γ,and pancreatic CD206 expression were significantly decreased(P<0.05).(2)Compared with AP group,serum IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MDA,and LPS and the pancreatic CD86 expression in low GlcNAc + AP group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The PPAR-γ protein level in the pancreas was significantly increased(P<0.05).(3)Compared with AP group,serum AMY,LPS,IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,and MDA and pancreatic CD86 expression in high GlcNAc + AP group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),while serum SOD,and NRF2,HO-1,PPAR-γ,and pancreatic CD206 expression were significantly increased(P<0.05).(4)Compared with low GlcNAc + AP group,serum LPS,IL-1β and IL-6 in high GlcNAc + AP group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).Pancreatic expression of HO-1,PPAR-γ,and pancreatic CD206 were significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion GlcNAc treatment attenuates acute pancreatitis injury in AP rats,possibly by activating the NRF2/HO-1 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and promoting M2 macrophage polarization to attenuate pancreatic injury in AP rats.