1.The transcriptomic-based disease network reveals synergistic therapeutic effect of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Qian CHEN ; Shuying ZHANG ; Xuanxi JIANG ; Jie LIAO ; Xin SHAO ; Xin PENG ; Zheng WANG ; Xiaoyan LU ; Xiaohui FAN
Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines (English Ed.) 2025;23(8):997-1008
Coptis chinensis Franch. and Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. are traditional herbal medicines with millennia of documented use and broad therapeutic applications, including anti-diabetic properties. However, the synergistic effect of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its underlying mechanism remain unclear. The research demonstrated that the optimal ratio of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng was 4∶1, exhibiting maximal efficacy in improving insulin resistance and gluconeogenesis in primary mouse hepatocytes. This combination demonstrated significant synergistic effects in improving glucose tolerance, reducing fasting blood glucose (FBG), the weight ratio of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice. Subsequently, a T2DM liver-specific network was constructed based on RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) experiments and public databases by integrating transcriptional properties of disease-associated proteins and protein-protein interactions (PPIs). The network recovery index (NRI) score of the combined treatment group with a 4∶1 ratio exceeded that of groups treated with individual components. The research identified that activated adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling in the liver played a crucial role in the synergistic treatment of T2DM, as verified by western blot experiment in db/db mice. These findings demonstrate that the 4∶1 combination of total alkaloids from Coptis chinensis and total ginsenosides from Panax ginseng significantly improves insulin resistance and glucose and lipid metabolism disorders in db/db mice, surpassing the efficacy of individual treatments. The synergistic mechanism correlates with enhanced AMPK/ACC signaling pathway activity.
Animals
;
Panax/chemistry*
;
Ginsenosides/administration & dosage*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
;
Mice
;
Male
;
Alkaloids/pharmacology*
;
Coptis/chemistry*
;
Drug Synergism
;
Insulin Resistance
;
Mice, Inbred C57BL
;
Humans
;
Transcriptome/drug effects*
;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*
;
Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Hepatocytes/metabolism*
2.Glycemic Control and Diabetes Duration in Relation to Subsequent Myocardial Infarction among Patients with Coronary Heart Disease and Type 2 Diabetes.
Fu Rong LI ; Yan DOU ; Chun Bao MO ; Shuang WANG ; Jing ZHENG ; Dong Feng GU ; Feng Chao LIANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(1):27-36
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate the impact of glycemic control and diabetes duration on subsequent myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with both coronary heart disease (CHD) and type 2 diabetes (T2D).
METHODS:
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 33,238 patients with both CHD and T2D in Shenzhen, China. Patients were categorized into 6 groups based on baseline fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and diabetes duration (from the date of diabetes diagnosis to the baseline date) to examine their combined effects on subsequent MI. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used, with further stratification by age, sex, and comorbidities to assess potential interactions.
RESULTS:
Over a median follow-up of 2.4 years, 2,110 patients experienced MI. Compared to those with optimal glycemic control (FPG < 6.1 mmol/L) and shorter diabetes duration (< 10 years), the fully-adjusted hazard ratio ( HR) (95% Confidence Interval [95% CI]) for those with a diabetes duration of ≥ 10 years and FPG > 8.0 mmol/L was 1.93 (95% CI: 1.59, 2.36). The combined effects of FPG and diabetes duration on MI were largely similar across different age, sex, and comorbidity groups, although the excess risk of MI associated with long-term diabetes appeared to be more pronounced among those with atrial fibrillation.
CONCLUSION
Our study indicates that glycemic control and diabetes duration significant influence the subsequent occurrence of MI in patients with both CHD and T2D. Tailored management strategies emphasizing strict glycemic control may be particularly beneficial for patients with longer diabetes duration and atrial fibrillation.
Humans
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood*
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Aged
;
Coronary Disease/complications*
;
Myocardial Infarction/etiology*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Glycemic Control
;
Blood Glucose
;
Adult
;
Risk Factors
;
Time Factors
3.Occupational Hazard Factors and the Trajectory of Fasting Blood Glucose Changes in Chinese Male Steelworkers Based on Environmental Risk Scores: A Prospective Cohort Study.
Ming Xia ZOU ; Wei DU ; Qin KANG ; Yu Hao XIA ; Nuo Yun ZHANG ; Liu FENG ; Fei Yue LI ; Tian Cheng MA ; Ya Jing BAO ; Hong Min FAN
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(6):666-677
OBJECTIVE:
We aimed to investigate the patterns of fasting blood glucose (FBG) trajectories and analyze the relationship between various occupational hazard factors and FBG trajectories in male steelworkers.
METHODS:
The study cohort included 3,728 workers who met the selection criteria for the Tanggang Occupational Cohort (TGOC) between 2017 and 2022. A group-based trajectory model was used to identify the FBG trajectories. Environmental risk scores (ERS) were constructed using regression coefficients from the occupational hazard model as weights. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the effects of occupational hazard factors using the ERS on FBG trajectories.
RESULTS:
FBG trajectories were categorized into three groups. An association was observed between high temperature, noise exposure, and FBG trajectory ( P < 0.05). Using the first quartile group of ERS1 as a reference, the fourth quartile group of ERS1 had an increased risk of medium and high FBG by 1.90 and 2.21 times, respectively (odds ratio [ OR] = 1.90, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.17-3.10; OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.09-4.45).
CONCLUSION
An association was observed between occupational hazards based on ERS and FBG trajectories. The risk of FBG trajectory levels increase with an increase in ERS.
Humans
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Blood Glucose/analysis*
;
China
;
Prospective Studies
;
Occupational Exposure/adverse effects*
;
Risk Factors
;
Middle Aged
;
Steel
;
Fasting/blood*
;
Metal Workers
;
East Asian People
4.Effects of Oral Vitamin D Supplementation on Vitamin D Levels and Glycemic Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
Xiu Juan ZHANG ; Hong Fei WANG ; Xia GAO ; Yang ZHAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(6):716-726
OBJECTIVE:
Epidemiological studies have shown that vitamin D status affects glycemic control in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, findings from intervention studies remain inconsistent. Therefore, a network meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the comparative efficacy of various vitamin D supplementation strategies on glucose indicators in adults with T2DM.
METHODS:
Eligible studies published before September 12, 2024, were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. A network meta-analysis of multiple dosage strategies-low (< 1,000 IU/day, LDS), medium (1,000-2,000 IU/day, MDS), high (2,000-4,000 IU/day, HDS), and extremely high (≥ 4,000 IU/day, EHDS)-was performed.
RESULTS:
The network meta-analysis of 40 RCTs indicated that, compared with placebo, vitamin D 3 supplementation increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)-D] levels, with pooled mean difference ( MD) showing a stepwise increase from LDS to EHDS. Ranking probabilities showed a corresponding rise in 25-(OH)-D levels from LDS (46.7%) to EHDS (91.2%). EHDS reduced fasting blood glucose (FBG) relative to no treatment. LDS significantly decreased hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and vitamin D 2 significantly affected FBG levels. MDS led to a significant change in fasting insulin (FIN) compared to both placebo ( MD: -4.76; 95% CI -8.91 to -0.61) and no treatment ( MD: -7.30; 95% CI -14.44 to -0.17).
CONCLUSION
The findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation may be a viable approach for improving glycemic control in adults with T2DM, with lower doses potentially offering benefit. The analysis also showed a dose-dependent increase in 25-(OH)-D levels.
Humans
;
Administration, Oral
;
Blood Glucose/drug effects*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/blood*
;
Dietary Supplements
;
Vitamin D/analogs & derivatives*
;
Vitamins/administration & dosage*
5.Association of Longitudinal Change in Fasting Blood Glucose with Risk of Cerebral Infarction in a Patients with Diabetes.
Tai Yang LUO ; Xuan DENG ; Xue Yu CHEN ; Yu He LIU ; Shuo Hua CHEN ; Hao Ran SUN ; Zi Wei YIN ; Shou Ling WU ; Yong ZHOU ; Xing Dong ZHENG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(8):926-934
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the association between long-term glycemic control and cerebral infarction risk in patients with diabetes through a large-scale cohort study.
METHODS:
This prospective, community-based cohort study included 12,054 patients with diabetes. From 2006 to 2012, 38,272 fasting blood glucose (FBG) measurements were obtained from these participants. FBG trajectory patterns were generated using latent mixture modelling. Cox proportional hazards models were applied to assess the subsequent risk of cerebral infarction associated with different FBG trajectory patterns.
RESULTS:
At baseline, the mean age of the participants was 55.2 years. Four distinct FBG trajectories were identified based on FBG concentrations and their changes over the 6-year follow-up period. After a median follow-up of 6.9 years, 786 cerebral infarction events were recorded. Different trajectory patterns were associated with significantly varied outcome risks (Log-Rank P < 0.001). Compared with the low-stability group, Hazard Ratio ( HR) adjusted for potential confounders were 1.37 for the moderate-increasing group, 1.23 for the elevated-decreasing group, and 2.08 for the elevated-stable group.
CONCLUSION
Sustained high FBG levels were found to play a critical role in the development of ischemic stroke among patients with diabetes. Controlling FBG levels may reduce the risk of cerebral infarction.
Humans
;
Cerebral Infarction/blood*
;
Middle Aged
;
Male
;
Female
;
Blood Glucose/analysis*
;
Fasting/blood*
;
Aged
;
Prospective Studies
;
Risk Factors
;
Diabetes Mellitus/blood*
;
Adult
;
Proportional Hazards Models
6.Impact of PCSK9 Inhibitor Recaticimab on Hyperlipidemia and Plasma Glucose: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase 1b/2 Study.
Ye HU ; Chen CHEN ; Xiao Hui HE ; Shu Yu ZHANG ; Xu Hong WANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(10):1246-1254
OBJECTIVE:
Recaticimab (SHR-1209) significantly reduces low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, its effect on glucose metabolism remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate its effect on glycemic parameters in a Chinese population.
METHODS:
Recaticimab versus placebo was administered in a 5:1 ratio to 110 hyperlipidemia patients who were followed up for 24 weeks. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured at baseline every 12 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels were measured at baseline at week 1, 3, 5, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24. Repeated-measures mixed-effects models were used to determine the longitudinal association between reacticimab and FPG and HbA1c levels.
RESULTS:
Among the 81 participants with normal glucose metabolism, HbA1c levels significantly decreased ( F = 4.568, P = 0.036). In the 29 participants with abnormal glucose metabolism, a significant time effect was observed for FPG levels ( F = 2.492, P = 0.016). For participants with normal and abnormal glucose metabolism, no significant group × time interaction effects on FPG or HbA1c levels were identified.
CONCLUSION
Recaticimab showed no adverse glycemic effects in participants with normal or abnormal glucose metabolism, indicating its safety in patients with or without diabetes.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Blood Glucose/drug effects*
;
Middle Aged
;
Double-Blind Method
;
Hyperlipidemias/blood*
;
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use*
;
PCSK9 Inhibitors
;
Glycated Hemoglobin
;
Aged
;
Adult
;
Proprotein Convertase 9
7.Association between metabolic parameters and erection in erectile dysfunction patients with hyperuricemia.
Guo-Wei DU ; Pei-Ning NIU ; Zhao-Xu YANG ; Xing-Hao ZHANG ; Jin-Chen HE ; Tao LIU ; Yan XU ; Jian-Huai CHEN ; Yun CHEN
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(4):482-487
The relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains inadequately understood. Given that HUA is often associated with various metabolic disorders, this study aims to explore the multivariate linear impacts of metabolic parameters on erectile function in ED patients with HUA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 514 ED patients with HUA in the Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), aged 18 to 60 years. General demographic information, medical history, and laboratory results were collected to assess metabolic disturbances. Sexual function was evaluated using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Based on univariate analysis, variables associated with IIEF-5 scores were identified, and the correlations between them were evaluated. The effects of these variables on IIEF-5 scores were further explored by multiple linear regression models. Fasting plasma glucose ( β = -0.628, P < 0.001), uric acid ( β = -0.552, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( β = -0.088, P = 0.047), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( β = -0.164, P = 0.027), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; β = -0.562, P = 0.012), and smoking history ( β = -0.074, P = 0.037) exhibited significant negative impacts on erectile function. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the model was 0.239, and the adjusted R ² was 0.230, indicating overall statistical significance ( F -statistic = 26.52, P < 0.001). Metabolic parameters play a crucial role in the development of ED. Maintaining normal metabolic indices may aid in the prevention and improvement of erectile function in ED patients with HUA.
Humans
;
Male
;
Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism*
;
Hyperuricemia/metabolism*
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism*
;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*
;
Uric Acid/blood*
;
Young Adult
;
Triglycerides/blood*
;
Adolescent
;
Cholesterol, LDL/blood*
;
Penile Erection/physiology*
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
8.Application of active glucose monitoring in the perioperative period of gastrointestinal endoscopy in children with glycogen storage disease type Ⅰb.
Jing YANG ; Hao-Tian WU ; Ni MA ; Jia-Xing WU ; Min YANG
Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics 2025;27(8):923-928
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the role of active glucose monitoring in preventing hypoglycemia during the perioperative period of gastrointestinal endoscopy in children with glycogen storage disease type Ⅰb (GSD-Ⅰb).
METHODS:
A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of children with GSD-Ⅰb who were diagnosed and treated in Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital from June 2021 to August 2024. The effect of active glucose monitoring on hypoglycemic episodes during the perioperative period of gastrointestinal endoscopy was analyzed.
RESULTS:
A total of 14 children with GSD-Ⅰb were included, among whom there were 7 boys and 7 girls, with a mean age of 10.0 years. Among 34 hospitalizations, there were 15 cases of hypoglycemic episodes (44%), among which 6 symptomatic cases (1 case with blood glucose level of 1.6 mmol/L and 5 cases with blood glucose level of <1.1 mmol/L) occurred without active monitoring, while 9 asymptomatic cases (with blood glucose level of 1.2-3.9 mmol/L) were detected by active monitoring. The predisposing factors for hypoglycemic episodes included preoperative fasting (5 cases, 33%), delayed feeding (7 cases, 47%), vomiting (2 cases, 13%), and parental omission (1 case, 7%). Two children experienced two hypoglycemic episodes during the same period of hospitalization, and no child experienced subjective symptoms prior to hypoglycemic episodes. Treatment methods included nasogastric glucose administration (1 case, 7%), intravenous injection of glucose (14 cases, 93%), and continuous glucose infusion (4 cases, 27%). Blood glucose returned to 3.5-6.9 mmol/L within 10 minutes after intervention and remained normal after dietary resumption.
CONCLUSIONS
Active glucose monitoring during the perioperative period of gastrointestinal endoscopy can help to achieve early detection of hypoglycemic states in children with GSD-Ⅰb, prevent hypoglycemic episodes, and enhance precise diagnosis and treatment.
Humans
;
Female
;
Male
;
Child
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Blood Glucose/analysis*
;
Hypoglycemia/etiology*
;
Glycogen Storage Disease Type I/blood*
;
Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal
;
Perioperative Period
;
Child, Preschool
;
Adolescent
9.Association between fasting blood glucose level and difficulty with chewing: the Aichi Workers' Cohort Study.
Mohammad Hassan HAMRAH ; Zean SONG ; Youngjae HONG ; Tahmina AKTER ; Hanson Gabriel NUAMAH ; Natsuko GONDO ; Masaaki MATSUNAGA ; Atsuhiko OTA ; Midori TAKADA ; Rei OTSUKA ; Koji TAMAKOSHI ; Hiroshi YATSUYA
Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 2025;30():95-95
BACKGROUND:
Difficulty in chewing has been shown to be associated with increased mortality, geriatric syndromes, and poor activities of daily living, indicating the need for intervention. Chewing difficulties are related to tooth loss, periodontitis, dry mouth, and a number of oral health conditions. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the major causes of global burden of diseases, and has been associated with poor oral health. Prospective association between oral health status and the development of diabetes has also been reported. However, relationship between glycemic control and self-reported chewing difficulty remains less explored in working-age populations. The objective of this study is to cross-sectionally explore the association between fasting blood glucose (FBG) and self-reported chewing difficulty in adults working in a Japanese worksite.
METHODS:
Participants from the Aichi Workers' Cohort Study who responded to the 2018 survey were included. Participants were categorized into five FBG groups (<100, 100-109, 110-125, 126-159, and ≥160 mg/dl). Multivariable odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for chewing difficulty were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking and alcohol consumption status, number of teeth, presence of periodontal disease and the number of anti-diabetic medication classes.
RESULTS:
A total of 164 participants (4.2%) reported difficulty with chewing, the prevalence of which tended to increase with increasing FBG level. FBG ≥160 mg/dl was significantly and strongly associated with difficulty with chewing in the final multivariable model (multivariable OR 3.84 [95% CI 1.13-13.0]).
CONCLUSIONS
A relationship between higher FBG levels and difficulty with chewing was observed, independent of potential confounding factors. However, prospective or interventional studies are needed to determine causality.
Humans
;
Male
;
Japan/epidemiology*
;
Female
;
Mastication/physiology*
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Blood Glucose/analysis*
;
Cross-Sectional Studies
;
Fasting/blood*
;
Cohort Studies
;
Oral Health
;
Prevalence
10.Huanglian-Renshen-Decoction Maintains Islet β-Cell Identity in T2DM Mice through Regulating GLP-1 and GLP-1R in Both Islet and Intestine.
Wen-Bin WU ; Fan GAO ; Yue-Heng TANG ; Hong-Zhan WANG ; Hui DONG ; Fu-Er LU ; Fen YUAN
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(1):39-48
OBJECTIVE:
To elucidate the effect of Huanglian-Renshen-Decoction (HRD) on ameliorating type 2 diabetes mellitus by maintaining islet β -cell identity through regulating paracrine and endocrine glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in both islet and intestine.
METHODS:
The db/db mice were divided into the model (distilled water), low-dose HRD (LHRD, 3 g/kg), high-dose HRD (HHRD, 6 g/kg), and liraglutide (400 µ g/kg) groups using a random number table, 8 mice in each group. The db/m mice were used as the control group (n=8, distilled water). The entire treatment of mice lasted for 6 weeks. Blood insulin, glucose, and GLP-1 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The proliferation and apoptosis factors of islet cells were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Then, GLP-1, GLP-1R, prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), PC2, v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homologue A (MafA), and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) were detected by Western blot, IHC, IF, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.
RESULTS:
HRD reduced the weight and blood glucose of the db/db mice, and improved insulin sensitivity at the same time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HRD also promoted mice to secrete more insulin and less glucagon (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, it also increased the number of islet β cell and decreased islet α cell mass (P<0.01). After HRD treatment, the levels of GLP-1, GLP-1R, PC1/3, PC2, MafA, and PDX1 in the pancreas and intestine significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
HRD can maintain the normal function and identity of islet β cell, and the underlying mechanism is related to promoting the paracrine and endocrine activation of GLP-1 in pancreas and intestine.
Animals
;
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism*
;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism*
;
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/metabolism*
;
Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
;
Male
;
Blood Glucose/metabolism*
;
Insulin/blood*
;
Mice
;
Intestinal Mucosa/pathology*
;
Apoptosis/drug effects*
;
Cell Proliferation/drug effects*
;
Islets of Langerhans/pathology*

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