1.Mechanism of Tangbikang Dry Paste in Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Based on GLO-1/AGE/RAGE Pathway
Lijia WU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Xiaolei JIA ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; Yukun HUANG ; You WANG ; Xincui BAO ; Jing YANG ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):60-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Tangbikang dry paste in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on the glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1)/advanced glycation end products (AGE)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) pathway. MethodsA total of 56 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided, with eight assigned to the normal group. The remaining 48 rats were fed a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model. Based on blood glucose levels, the rats were randomly assigned to the model group, Tanglin group (13.5 mg·kg-1), metformin group (135 mg·kg-1), and Tangbikang dry paste low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (3, 6, 12 g·kg-1). Successful modeling of DPN was confirmed by a decrease in mechanical pain threshold in the model group at week 4. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, and mechanical pain threshold were measured every 4 weeks. After 16 weeks of intervention, the pathological morphology of the sciatic nerve was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of RAGE, AGE, protein kinase C (PKC), and collagen (COL) in the sciatic nerve was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of RAGE, PKC, Toll-like receptor (TLR), COL, and GLO-1 was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine (CREA), urea (UREA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased fasting blood glucose (P<0.01), decreased body weight and mechanical pain threshold (P<0.01), and elevated serum AST, ALT, CREA, UREA, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (P<0.01). The expression of RAGE, AGE, and PKC in the sciatic nerve was significantly increased (P<0.01), while COL expression was decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TLR, RAGE, and PKC was upregulated (P<0.01), whereas COL and GLO-1 mRNA levels were downregulated (P<0.01). Histological examination showed irregular nerve morphology, axonal alterations, and myelin degeneration. Compared with the model group, fasting blood glucose levels in the Tangbikang dry paste high-dose group at all time points and in the medium-dose group at weeks 4 and 16 were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). No significant changes in body weight were observed across all Tangbikang dose groups. The mechanical pain threshold was elevated at different time points after administration in all Tangbikang groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were decreased in all dose groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of RAGE, AGE, and PKC in the sciatic nerve was reduced (P<0.01), while COL expression was increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TLR, RAGE, and PKC was downregulated (P<0.01), whereas GLO-1 mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, COL mRNA expression was significantly increased in the low- and high-dose groups (P<0.01). Pathological changes in the sciatic nerve were milder in all Tangbikang groups compared to the model group. ConclusionTangbikang dry paste significantly improves DPN, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the GLO-1/AGE/RAGE signaling pathway.
2.Mechanism of Tangbikang Dry Paste in Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy Based on GLO-1/AGE/RAGE Pathway
Lijia WU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Xiaolei JIA ; Lingling QIN ; Haiyan WANG ; Yukun HUANG ; You WANG ; Xincui BAO ; Jing YANG ; Cuiyan LYU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(11):60-69
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Tangbikang dry paste in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) based on the glyoxalase-1 (GLO-1)/advanced glycation end products (AGE)/receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) pathway. MethodsA total of 56 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided, with eight assigned to the normal group. The remaining 48 rats were fed a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to induce a type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) model. Based on blood glucose levels, the rats were randomly assigned to the model group, Tanglin group (13.5 mg·kg-1), metformin group (135 mg·kg-1), and Tangbikang dry paste low-, medium-, and high-dose groups (3, 6, 12 g·kg-1). Successful modeling of DPN was confirmed by a decrease in mechanical pain threshold in the model group at week 4. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, and mechanical pain threshold were measured every 4 weeks. After 16 weeks of intervention, the pathological morphology of the sciatic nerve was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of RAGE, AGE, protein kinase C (PKC), and collagen (COL) in the sciatic nerve was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of RAGE, PKC, Toll-like receptor (TLR), COL, and GLO-1 was detected using real-time quantitative PCR (Real-time PCR). Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine (CREA), urea (UREA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). ResultsCompared with the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased fasting blood glucose (P<0.01), decreased body weight and mechanical pain threshold (P<0.01), and elevated serum AST, ALT, CREA, UREA, IL-6, and TNF-α levels (P<0.01). The expression of RAGE, AGE, and PKC in the sciatic nerve was significantly increased (P<0.01), while COL expression was decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TLR, RAGE, and PKC was upregulated (P<0.01), whereas COL and GLO-1 mRNA levels were downregulated (P<0.01). Histological examination showed irregular nerve morphology, axonal alterations, and myelin degeneration. Compared with the model group, fasting blood glucose levels in the Tangbikang dry paste high-dose group at all time points and in the medium-dose group at weeks 4 and 16 were significantly reduced (P<0.05, P<0.01). No significant changes in body weight were observed across all Tangbikang dose groups. The mechanical pain threshold was elevated at different time points after administration in all Tangbikang groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were decreased in all dose groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of RAGE, AGE, and PKC in the sciatic nerve was reduced (P<0.01), while COL expression was increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression of TLR, RAGE, and PKC was downregulated (P<0.01), whereas GLO-1 mRNA expression was upregulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). Additionally, COL mRNA expression was significantly increased in the low- and high-dose groups (P<0.01). Pathological changes in the sciatic nerve were milder in all Tangbikang groups compared to the model group. ConclusionTangbikang dry paste significantly improves DPN, and its mechanism may be associated with the regulation of the GLO-1/AGE/RAGE signaling pathway.
3.Effect of South African Herb Hoodia gordonii on Liver Glucolipid Metabolism and PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 Signalling Pathway in db/db Mice
Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Linging QIN ; Wei LIU ; Guangyuan XU ; Xuesheng MA ; Lili WU ; Tonghua LIU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(5):57-64
ObjectiveTo observe the effects of the South African herb Hoodia gordonii (HG) on glucolipid metabolism in diabetic db/db mice and explore the possible mechanisms of HG on the liver of db/db mice based on the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/factor forkhead protein O1 (FoxO1) signaling pathway. MethodA total of 30 db/db mice were randomly divided into five groups according to fasting blood glucose: model group, metformin group (0.195 g·kg-1), and low dose (0.39 g·kg-1), medium dose (0.78 g·kg-1), and high dose (1.56 g·kg-1) HG groups, with six m/m mice in each group, and another six m/m mice were set as normal group. The mice in the normal and model groups were given saline of 9 mL·kg-1 by gavage. Body weight, water intake, and fasting blood glucose of the mice in each group were measured weekly. After six weeks of continuous administration, serum insulin (FINS), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), urea, and creatinine (CREA) were measured, and liver sections were embedded and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and oil red O. Protein expression of PI3K p85, p-Akt, and p-FoxO1 in liver was detected by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA expression of PI3K, Akt, and FoxO1 in liver tissue was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultAfter six weeks of administration intervention, it was found that fasting blood glucose was significantly downregulated in mice in the three HG groups (P<0.05). The level of islet resistance index was significantly reduced in both the low and medium dose HG groups (P<0.05). The expression levels of TC, TG, and LDL were reduced in all HG groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Pathologically, HG could alleviate hepatocyte steatosis, reduce the volume and content of lipid droplets in liver, and increase the distribution of glycogen granules in liver to some extent in mice. Immunohistochemical assays revealed that PI3K p85 protein expression was significantly increased in the low, medium, and high dose HG groups compared with the model group (P<0.01). p-Akt protein expression was significantly increased in the medium and high dose HG groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). p-FoxO1 protein expression was significantly increased in the low, medium, and high dose HG groups (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, PI3K mRNA was increased in low dose, medium dose, and high dose HG groups (P<0.05), and Akt mRNA was increased in high dose HG group (P<0.05). FoxO1 mRNA was decreased in low dose, medium dose, and high dose HG groups (P<0.05). ConclusionHG can ameliorate the disorder of glucolipid metabolism in db/db mice, which may be related to its activation of the hepatic PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.
4.Inhibition of Oxidative Stress of Sciatic Nerve in Diabetic Rats by Tangbikang Granules Regulating AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 Signaling Pathway
Gang LIU ; Yaqi ZHANG ; Lingling QIN ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Qiue ZHANG ; Huizhong BAI ; Yi ZHAO ; Tonghua LIU ; Xiaohong MU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(6):75-82
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tangbikang granules on oxidative stress of sciatic nerve in diabetic rats by regulating adenylate activated protein kinase/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α/mitochondrial Sirtuins 3 (AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3) signaling pathway. MethodThe spontaneous obesity type 2 diabetes model was established using ZDF rats. After modeling, they were randomly divided into high, medium, and low dose Tangbikang granule groups (2.5, 1.25, 0.625 g·kg-1·d-1) and lipoic acid group (0.026 8 g·kg-1·d-1), and the normal group was set up. The rats were administered continuously for 12 weeks after modeling. The blood glucose of rats was detected before intervention and at 4, 8, 12 weeks after intervention. At the 12th week, motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), sensory nerve conduction velocity (SNCV), nerve blood flow velocity, mechanical pain threshold, and thermal pain threshold were detected. The sciatic nerve was taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining to observe the tissue morphology. The ultrastructure of the sciatic nerve was observed by transmission electron microscope. The expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in sciatic nerve were determined by enzyme-related immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 in sciatic nerve were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). ResultCompared with the normal group, fasting blood glucose in the model group was increased at each time point (P<0.01). The mechanical pain threshold was decreased (P<0.05), and the incubation time of the hot plate was extended (P<0.01). MNCV, SNCV, and nerve blood flow velocity decreased (P<0.05). The expression level of SOD was decreased (P<0.01). The expression levels of MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 were decreased (P<0.01). The structure of sciatic nerve fibers in the model group was loose, and the arrangement was disordered. The demyelination change was obvious. Compared with the model group, the fasting blood glucose of rats in the high dose Tangbikang granule group was decreased after the intervention of eight weeks and 12 weeks (P<0.01). The mechanical pain threshold increased (P<0.05). The incubation time of the hot plate was shortened (P<0.01). MNCV, SNCV, and Flux increased (P<0.05). The expression level of SOD was increased (P<0.01). The expression levels of MDA, IL-1β, and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.01). The mRNA expression levels of AMPKα, AMPKβ, PGC-1α, and SIRT3 were increased (P<0.01). The sciatic nerve fibers in the high-dose Tangbikang granule group were tighter and more neatly arranged, with only a few demyelinating changes. The high, medium, and low dose Tangbikang granule groups showed a significant dose-effect trend. ConclusionTangbikang granules may improve sciatic nerve function in diabetic rats by regulating AMPK/PGC-1α/SIRT3 signaling pathway partly to inhibit oxidative stress.
5.Research Progress on Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions Targeting NF-κB Signaling Pathway to Improve Diabetic Nephropathy
Jiangfan GUO ; Xiaomeng WANG ; Qiu'e ZHANG ; Xiaochen LI ; Tonghua LIU ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Qingsong LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(20):241-251
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a chronic microvascular complication in diabetic patients and the main cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Studies have shown that nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway is involved in the pathological process of DN by activating pathological mechanisms such as inflammation, oxidative stress, fibrosis, apoptosis, autophagy, and pyroptosis. Therefore, blocking the transduction of NF-κB signaling pathway can help prevent and treat DN. Currently, western medical treatment involves strategies such as lowering blood sugar, blood pressure, and lipids, as well as using endothelin receptor antagonists, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, aldosterone synthase inhibitors, and other drugs, but they still cannot block the pathological process of DN. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers a simpler and more cost-effective approach that addresses both the symptoms and underlying causes of DN. Recent research has shown promising results in managing DN with TCM, and NF-κB, as a key factor, plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of DN. This article summarized the research results of TCM based on the NF-κB signaling pathway for the treatment of DN in the past five years. It described a variety of TCM extracts, such as polysaccharides, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids, saponins, and alkaloids, as well as TCM compound prescriptions such as Huaiqihuang granules, Astragalus mongholicus Bunge and Panax notoginseng formula, and Danzhi Jiangtang capsules, which regulated the NF-κB signaling pathway and its upstream and downstream factors to block the pathological process of DN. This inhibition aims to prevent renal pathological damage caused by DN and slow down the deterioration of renal function. The article aims to provide new ideas and references for the research and development of drugs for the prevention and treatment of DN.
6.Chinese Medicine Intervenes in Diabetic Kidney Disease Based on p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway:A Review
Peng YANG ; Tonghua LIU ; Lili WU ; Lingling QIN ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Chuan PENG ; Qiue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(11):212-223
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a major microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus, serves as the most common cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. The progression of DKD is closely related to oxidative stress, inflammatory response, apoptosis, and fibrosis in renal tissues activated by high glucose. Numerous studies have shown that the transduction of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway is involved in the pathological process of DKD in renal tissues, activating various pathological mechanisms, such as oxidation, inflammation, apoptosis, and fibrosis. Therefore, blocking the transduction of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway is beneficial to alleviating DKD. At present, the main treatment principles of western medicine are glucose lowering, lipid lowering, and blood pressure lowering, as well as medications with new drugs renal sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), mineralocorticoid receptor, and endothelin receptor, but the progression of DKD still cannot be stopped. The treatment of DKD by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has the advantages of simplicity, low cost, and convenience, and the symptoms and root causes can be both treated. In recent years, the basic research on Chinese medicine intervention in DKD has greatly advanced, and p38 MAPK is the key factor of Chinese medicine intervention in DKD. The present study searched and reviewed the literature on the Chinese medicine intervention in the p38 MAPK signaling pathway in DKD treatment in the past decade. The results showed that p38 MAPK interacted with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 (Caspase-3), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), and other factors to activate fibrosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. By acting on p38 MAPK and its upstream and downstream factors, Chinese medicine blocked the pathological processes of DKD and inhibited the pathological injury of DKD and the deterioration of renal function. This study is expected to provide new ideas and directions for the prevention and treatment of DKD with Chinese medicine.
7.Long-Term Prognosis of Different Reperfusion Strategies for ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Chinese County-Level Hospitals: Insight from China Acute Myocardial Infarction Registry.
Chao WU ; Qiong Yu ZHANG ; Ling LI ; Xu Xia ZHANG ; Yong Chen CAI ; Jin Gang YANG ; Hai Yan XU ; Yan Yan ZHAO ; Yang WANG ; Wei LI ; Chen JIN ; Xiao Jin GAO ; Yue Jin YANG ; Shu Bin QIAO
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2023;36(9):826-836
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the long-term prognosis of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) treated with different reperfusion strategies in Chinese county-level hospitals.
METHODS:
A total of 2,514 patients with STEMI from 32 hospitals participated in the China Acute Myocardial Infarction registry between January 2013 and September 2014. The success of fibrinolysis was assessed according to indirect measures of vascular recanalization. The primary outcome was 2-year mortality.
RESULTS:
Reperfusion therapy was used in 1,080 patients (42.9%): fibrinolysis ( n= 664, 61.5%) and primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ( n= 416, 38.5%). The most common reason for missing reperfusion therapy was a prehospital delay > 12 h (43%). Fibrinolysis [14.5%, hazard ratio ( HR): 0.59, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.44-0.80] and primary PCI (6.8%, HR= 0.32, 95% CI: 0.22-0.48) were associated with lower 2-year mortality than those with no reperfusion (28.5%). Among fibrinolysis-treated patients, 510 (76.8%) achieved successful clinical reperfusion; only 17.0% of those with failed fibrinolysis underwent rescue PCI. There was no difference in 2-year mortality between successful fibrinolysis and primary PCI (8.8% vs. 6.8%, HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 0.85-2.73). Failed fibrinolysis predicted a similar mortality (33.1%) to no reperfusion (33.1% vs. 28.5%, HR= 1.30, 95% CI: 0.93-1.81).
CONCLUSION
In Chinese county-level hospitals, only approximately 2/5 of patients with STEMI underwent reperfusion therapy, largely due to prehospital delay. Approximately 30% of patients with failed fibrinolysis and no reperfusion therapy did not survive at 2 years. Quality improvement initiativesare warranted, especially in public health education and fast referral for mechanical revascularization in cases of failed fibrinolysis.
Humans
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ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction/therapy*
;
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
;
East Asian People
;
Treatment Outcome
;
Myocardial Reperfusion
;
Myocardial Infarction
;
Registries
;
Hospitals
8.Effect of Modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang on Stress-related IRE1α/CHOP Pathway of Sciatic Nerve Endoplasmic Reticulum in Diabetes Rats
Yan ZHANG ; Hongzhu LONG ; Xipeng WANG ; Weifang CAO ; Lili WU ; Tonghua LIU ; Jingxin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(16):43-51
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang (MHGW) on endoplasmic reticulum stress in the sciatic nerve of diabetes rats based on the pathways of inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP). MethodSixty rats were fed on a high-sugar and high-fat diet for six weeks, followed by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 35 mg·kg-1. Random blood glucose levels were measured three days later and rats with a sustained blood glucose level ≥ 16.7 mmol·L-1 were included in study (n=48). The rats were randomly divided into a model group, an α-lipoic acid group (0.026 8 g·kg-1·d-1), a high-dose MHGW group (2.5 g·kg-1·d-1), and a low-dose MHGW group (1.25 g·kg-1·d-1). Another 10 rats were assigned to the normal group. The intervention lasted for 16 weeks. After 16 weeks, the sciatic nerve structure of the rats in each group was observed under light microscopy using Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of the sciatic nerve. Chemiluminescence method was employed to measure the serum reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR) were used to evaluate the expression of p-IRE1α protein, IRE1α mRNA, CHOP protein, and CHOP mRNA in the sciatic nerve of the rats. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed elevated serum ROS levels (P<0.01). In contrast, the serum ROS levels were significantly reduced in the treatment groups compared with those in the model group (P<0.01). The sciatic nerve of the model group showed pathological changes compared with that in the normal group, while the treatment groups exhibited improvement in sciatic nerve pathology compared with the model group. The protein expression of p-IRE1α and CHOP in the sciatic nerve significantly increased in the model group as compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01). However, the treatment groups showed a significant decrease in the protein expression of p-IRE1α and CHOP in the sciatic nerve compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). Furthermore, compared with the normal group, the model group showed upregulated mRNA expression of IRE1α and CHOP in the sciatic nerve (P<0.01), while the treatment groups exhibited a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of IRE1α and CHOP compared with the model group (P<0.01). ConclusionMHGW can alleviate endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced cell apoptosis and improve the structure and function of the sciatic nerve in diabetes rats by inhibiting the expression of IRE1α/CHOP pathway-related proteins and mRNA, thereby preventing and treating peripheral neuropathy in diabetes.
9.Effect of Modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang on Apoptosis-related Bax and Caspase-12 of Sciatic Nerve Cells in Diabetes Rats
Yan ZHANG ; Hongzhu LONG ; Xipeng WANG ; Weifang CAO ; Lili WU ; Tonghua LIU ; Jingxin ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(16):58-64
ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of modified Huangqi Guizhi Wuwutang (MHGW) on the protein and mRNA expression of B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein (Bax) and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-12 (Caspase-12) related to the apoptosis of sciatic nerve cells in diabetes rats to explore the mechanism of MHGW in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy in diabetes. MethodAnimal experiments were conducted. A diabetes model was induced in sixty male sprague-dawley (SD) rats by feeding on a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneal injection. Rats with random blood glucose levels ≥ 16.7 mmol·L-1 for three consecutive days were considered to have successfully developed diabetes. Forty-eight rats that successfully developed diabetes were randomly divided into a model group, an α-lipoic acid group (0.026 8 g·kg-1·d-1), a high-dose MHGW group (2.5 g·kg-1·d-1), and a low-dose MHGW group (1.25 g·kg-1·d-1), with 12 rats in each group. Another 10 rats were assigned to the normal group. Body weight and random blood glucose levels of the rats were monitored. At the end of a 16-week intervention period, the sciatic nerve conduction velocity of the rats was measured using the Key point electromyography collection system. The protein and mRNA expression of Bax and Caspase-12 in the sciatic nerve cells was detected by Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), respectively. ResultCompared with the normal group, the model group showed a significant decrease in body weight (P<0.01) and a significant increase in random blood glucose levels (P<0.01). After a 16-week intervention, compared with the model group, the high-dose MHGW group exhibited a significant increase in body weight (P<0.05), while there were no statistically significant differences in body weight changes among the other treatment groups. Random blood glucose levels significantly decreased in all treatment groups (P<0.01). After 16 weeks of intervention, compared with the normal group, the model group had significantly reduced motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, all treatment groups showed significant increases in motor and sensory nerve conduction velocities (P<0.05, P<0.01). The expression of Bax and Caspase-12 proteins in the sciatic nerve cells was significantly elevated in the model group compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01). In contrast, all treatment groups showed significant reductions in the expression of Bax and Caspase-12 proteins in the sciatic nerve cells as compared with that in the model group (P<0.01). The expression of Bax and Caspase-12 mRNA in the sciatic nerve cells significantly increased in the model group compared with that in the normal group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the α-lipoic acid group and the high-dose MHGW group showed significant reductions in the expression of Bax mRNA in the sciatic nerve cells (P<0.05, P<0.01), while the low-dose MHGW group showed a decreasing trend in the expression of Bax mRNA. The expression of Caspase-12 mRNA in the sciatic nerve cells significantly decreased in all treatment groups (P<0.01). ConclusionMHGW may improve and repair sciatic nerve damage in diabetes rats by inhibiting sciatic nerve cell apoptosis.
10.Improvement of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy by Chinese Medicine Based on TGF-β/Smad Pathway: A Review
Peng YANG ; Tonghua LIU ; Lingling QIN ; Lili WU ; Chengfei ZHANG ; Chuan PENG ; Qiue ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2023;29(1):215-226
Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the most common cardiovascular lesions in diabetes mellitus. The development and progression of DCM is closely related to myocardial fibrosis, which has been shown to be an important pathological feature of DCM. Therefore, the treatment targeting myocardial fibrosis can help slow down the DCM progress. In the DCM progress, abnormal transduction of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway is an important mechanism of hyperglycemia-induced myocardial fibrosis. TGF-β is a key factor of myocardial fibrosis and is overexpressed during myocardial fibrosis in DCM, and Smad is a major effector in the downstream of TGF-β. By inducing myocardial apoptosis, TGF-β/Smad signal stimulates the overproduction of myofibroblasts, increase the deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM), and plays a complex role in the pathogenesis of myocardial fibrosis in diabetic hearts. In recent years, Chinese medicine has played an increasingly important role in the prevention and treatment of DCM, and there has been an increase in the number of studies exploring the effects of Chinese medicine on the intervention of DN progress based on TGF-β/Smad signal. Various pharmacological studies have shown that Chinese medicine is safe and effective in the prevention and treatment of DCM, which has clear effects such as inhibiting the deposition of collagen, anti-myocardial fibrosis, improving cardiac function, and protecting myocardium, and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway is one of the key pathways in which Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine monomers, and Chinese medicine compounds exert the myocardial protective effect in DCM. Based on this, this paper reviewed the existing pharmacological and experimental research results of Chinese medicine intervention in the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway to treat DCM in the past decades, hoping to provide references for further in-depth research, development, and application of Chinese medicine in the treatment of DCM.

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