OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic potential of osthole for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), focusing on its ability to alleviate chronic pruritus (CP) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of osthole in both a 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulated huma immortalized epidermal (HaCaT) cells. The anti-itch effect of osthole was specifically assessed in the AD mouse model. Using methods such as hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Osthole improved skin damage and clinical dermatitis scores, reduced scratching bouts, and decreased epidermal thickness AD-like mice. It also reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-31 and IL-31 receptor A (IL-31 RA) in both skin tissues and HaCaT cells. Furthermore, Osthole suppressed the protein expression levels of phosphor-p65 (p-p65) and phosphor-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-Bα (p-IκBα). Meanwhile, it increased the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARγ in HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION These findings indicated that osthole effectively inhibited CP in AD by activating PPARα, PPARγ, repressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, as well as the expression of IL-31 and IL-31 RA.

Objective To observe the effects of Hedysarum Polybotrys polysaccharide(HPS)on the glucose metabolism of small intestinal smooth muscle in rats with diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)of spleen qi deficiency syndrome;To explore its mechanism based on AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathway.Methods Totally 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 in the blank group and the remaining 60 rats were assigned to the model group.The DGP spleen qi deficiency syndrome model was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin+irregular feeding with high-fat and high sugar feed combined with swimming exhaustion method.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,metformin group and HPS high-,medium-and low-dosage groups.The metformin group was given 100 mg/kg metformin hydrochloride by gavage,while the HPS high-,medium-and low-dosage groups were given 200,100 and 50 mg/kg HPS by gavage,respectively.The blank group and model group were given purified water by gavage once a day for 8 consecutive weeks.The gastric emptying rate and small intestine propulsion rate in rats were detected,HE staining was used to observe the smooth muscle morphology of gastric antrum and ileal tissue,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glucagon like peptide-1(GLP-1)in ileal tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of adiponectin(APN),glucagon(Glu)and insulin(INS)in serum,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of glucose transporter(GLUT)4,GLUT1,AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and p-AMPK in ileal tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group rats showed significantly increased random blood glucose,significantly decreased body mass,gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate(P<0.01);the edema in the submucosal layer,loose arrangement of connective tissue,infiltration of a small number of lymphocytes,granulocytes and macrophages,reduced number of goblet cells in the ileal tissue,shedding of intestinal villous epithelial cells and widening of the gap between the submucosal layer and the lamina propria;the expression of GLP-1 in ileal tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.05),the contents of serum APN and INS were significantly decreased,and the content of Glu significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of GLUT4 and p-AMPK/AMPK proteins in ileal tissue were significantly decreased,while the expression of GLUT1 protein significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,rats in metformin group and HPS high-dosage group showed a random decrease in blood glucose,an increase in body mass,gastric emptying rate,and small intestine propulsion rate(P<0.05,P<0.01);a more regular arrangement of gastric antral tissue cells,a reduction of shedding cells and edema,the smooth muscle structure of the ileal tissue was relatively intact,with evenly distributed cells and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells;the expression of GLP-1 in ileal tissue increased,the contents of serum APN and INS increased,and the content of Glu decreased,the expressions of GLUT4 and p-AMPK/AMPK proteins in ileal tissue increased,while the expression of GLUT1 protein decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion HPS may up-regulate GLUT4 and down-regulate GLUT1 expression through activates AMPK,promotes glucose uptake and utilization by small intestinal smooth muscle,and improves glucose metabolism of DGP rats with spleen qi deficiency syndrome.

Objective To observe the effects of Angelica and Astragalus ultrafiltration membrane extracts on Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway-related factors in diabetes kidney disease(DKD)model rats;To explore its mechanism in treating oxidative stress injury of DKD.Methods Totally 70 SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into 10 rats for the blank group and the remaining 60 rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet,streptozotocin was intraperitoneally injected after 4 weeks to establish the DKD model.The established model rats were randomly divided into the model group,positive control group(GKT137831 30 mg/kg)and TCM high-,medium-and low-dosage groups(Angelica and Astragalus ultrafiltration membrane extracts 6,3,1.5 g/kg),which were orally administered with corresponding drugs.The blank group and model group were given equivalent volume of distilled water orally once daily for 12 consecutive weeks.Random blood glucose,body mass and 24 h urinary total protein content(24 h-UTP)were detected,biochemical assays were conducted to detect serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and albumin(ALB)contents,HE and Masson staining were used to observe the morphology in renal tissue,the contents of reactive oxygen species(ROS),glutathione(GSH)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured by ELISA,the protein expressions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4(Nox4),Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit(GCLM)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in renal tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the random blood glucose at each time point of model group rats significantly increased(P<0.01),the 24 h-UTP significantly increased(P<0.01),the contents of SCr,BUN and serum TG,TC increased(P<0.01),and ALB content decreased(P<0.01);with loose arrangement and disordered structure of renal tissue,consolidation of glomeruli,shedding of renal tubular epithelial cells,and increased deposition of collagen fibers;the contents of serum ROS and MDA were significantly elevated(P<0.01),while GSH contents decreased(P<0.01);the protein expression of Nox4 and Keap1 in renal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),the expression of Nrf2,GCLM and GPX4 protein significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the random blood glucose were significantly reduced at 6,8,10,12 weeks in the treatment groups(P<0.01),24 h-UTP decreased(P<0.01),the contents of SCr,BUN,TG,TC in positive control group and TCM high-,medium-dosage group decreased,with increased ALB content(P<0.01,P<0.05);renal tubular and glomerular lesions were improved,and collagen fiber proliferation decreased;serum ROS and MDA contents were reduced,while GSH content increased(P<0.01,P<0.05);the protein expression of Nox4 and Keap1 in renal tissue decreased(P<0.01),and Nrf2,GCLM and GPX4 protein expression increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Angelica and Astragalus ultrafiltration membrane extracts can effectively alleviate injury of renal tissue in DKD rats,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of oxidative stress response.

Objective To observe the effects of Hedysarum Polybotrys polysaccharide(HPS)on the glucose metabolism of small intestinal smooth muscle in rats with diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)of spleen qi deficiency syndrome;To explore its mechanism based on AMPK/GLUT4 signaling pathway.Methods Totally 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 in the blank group and the remaining 60 rats were assigned to the model group.The DGP spleen qi deficiency syndrome model was replicated by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin+irregular feeding with high-fat and high sugar feed combined with swimming exhaustion method.The model rats were randomly divided into model group,metformin group and HPS high-,medium-and low-dosage groups.The metformin group was given 100 mg/kg metformin hydrochloride by gavage,while the HPS high-,medium-and low-dosage groups were given 200,100 and 50 mg/kg HPS by gavage,respectively.The blank group and model group were given purified water by gavage once a day for 8 consecutive weeks.The gastric emptying rate and small intestine propulsion rate in rats were detected,HE staining was used to observe the smooth muscle morphology of gastric antrum and ileal tissue,immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of glucagon like peptide-1(GLP-1)in ileal tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of adiponectin(APN),glucagon(Glu)and insulin(INS)in serum,Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of glucose transporter(GLUT)4,GLUT1,AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and p-AMPK in ileal tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the model group rats showed significantly increased random blood glucose,significantly decreased body mass,gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate(P<0.01);the edema in the submucosal layer,loose arrangement of connective tissue,infiltration of a small number of lymphocytes,granulocytes and macrophages,reduced number of goblet cells in the ileal tissue,shedding of intestinal villous epithelial cells and widening of the gap between the submucosal layer and the lamina propria;the expression of GLP-1 in ileal tissue was significantly decreased(P<0.05),the contents of serum APN and INS were significantly decreased,and the content of Glu significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of GLUT4 and p-AMPK/AMPK proteins in ileal tissue were significantly decreased,while the expression of GLUT1 protein significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,rats in metformin group and HPS high-dosage group showed a random decrease in blood glucose,an increase in body mass,gastric emptying rate,and small intestine propulsion rate(P<0.05,P<0.01);a more regular arrangement of gastric antral tissue cells,a reduction of shedding cells and edema,the smooth muscle structure of the ileal tissue was relatively intact,with evenly distributed cells and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells;the expression of GLP-1 in ileal tissue increased,the contents of serum APN and INS increased,and the content of Glu decreased,the expressions of GLUT4 and p-AMPK/AMPK proteins in ileal tissue increased,while the expression of GLUT1 protein decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion HPS may up-regulate GLUT4 and down-regulate GLUT1 expression through activates AMPK,promotes glucose uptake and utilization by small intestinal smooth muscle,and improves glucose metabolism of DGP rats with spleen qi deficiency syndrome.

Objective To observe the effects of Angelica and Astragalus ultrafiltration membrane extracts on Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway-related factors in diabetes kidney disease(DKD)model rats;To explore its mechanism in treating oxidative stress injury of DKD.Methods Totally 70 SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into 10 rats for the blank group and the remaining 60 rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet,streptozotocin was intraperitoneally injected after 4 weeks to establish the DKD model.The established model rats were randomly divided into the model group,positive control group(GKT137831 30 mg/kg)and TCM high-,medium-and low-dosage groups(Angelica and Astragalus ultrafiltration membrane extracts 6,3,1.5 g/kg),which were orally administered with corresponding drugs.The blank group and model group were given equivalent volume of distilled water orally once daily for 12 consecutive weeks.Random blood glucose,body mass and 24 h urinary total protein content(24 h-UTP)were detected,biochemical assays were conducted to detect serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and albumin(ALB)contents,HE and Masson staining were used to observe the morphology in renal tissue,the contents of reactive oxygen species(ROS),glutathione(GSH)and malondialdehyde(MDA)were measured by ELISA,the protein expressions of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4(Nox4),Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),glutamate-cysteine ligase modifier subunit(GCLM)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in renal tissue were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the random blood glucose at each time point of model group rats significantly increased(P<0.01),the 24 h-UTP significantly increased(P<0.01),the contents of SCr,BUN and serum TG,TC increased(P<0.01),and ALB content decreased(P<0.01);with loose arrangement and disordered structure of renal tissue,consolidation of glomeruli,shedding of renal tubular epithelial cells,and increased deposition of collagen fibers;the contents of serum ROS and MDA were significantly elevated(P<0.01),while GSH contents decreased(P<0.01);the protein expression of Nox4 and Keap1 in renal tissue significantly increased(P<0.01),the expression of Nrf2,GCLM and GPX4 protein significantly decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the random blood glucose were significantly reduced at 6,8,10,12 weeks in the treatment groups(P<0.01),24 h-UTP decreased(P<0.01),the contents of SCr,BUN,TG,TC in positive control group and TCM high-,medium-dosage group decreased,with increased ALB content(P<0.01,P<0.05);renal tubular and glomerular lesions were improved,and collagen fiber proliferation decreased;serum ROS and MDA contents were reduced,while GSH content increased(P<0.01,P<0.05);the protein expression of Nox4 and Keap1 in renal tissue decreased(P<0.01),and Nrf2,GCLM and GPX4 protein expression increased(P<0.01).Conclusion Angelica and Astragalus ultrafiltration membrane extracts can effectively alleviate injury of renal tissue in DKD rats,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and inhibition of oxidative stress response.

Non-invasive blood glucose monitoring will be the development direction for detecting the blood glucose concentration of body in time. In this way, the concentration of the blood glucose can be controlled effectively, then the complicating diseases of diabetes can be reduced, so it is of great significance for diagnosis and treatment of diabetes. The recent developments of non-invasive blood glucose concentration monitoring technologies, including basic principles, results of verification test and instruments, are discussed, especially three methods with instruments facing market. The existing problems of these methods are also discussed. Finally, some difficult points of current non-invasive blood glucose monitoring methods are further discussed and the future trend of the technologies has been pointed out according to the above analysis.
Biosensing Techniques ; instrumentation ; methods ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring ; instrumentation ; methods ; Diabetes Mellitus ; blood ; Equipment Design ; Humans