Objective: Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a disorder characterized by impaired ovarian function. Sleep disorders are disruptions of the circadian rhythm, which appears to be closely linked to reproductive systems. This study aimed to investigate the impact of poor sleep quality on the ovarian reserve of childbearing-age women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in China from June 2021 to March 2023. In total, 102 participants diagnosed with chronic insomnia disorder were included in the study. Questionnaires were administered to assess participants' menstrual patterns, insomnia severity, anxiety, and depression. The anti-Müllerian hormone level and the basal antral follicle count were measured for ovarian reserve evaluation. Correlation analysis and ordinal logistic regression analysis were conducted. Results: The women with insomnia presented high percentages of hypomenorrhea, premenstrual syndrome, and dysmenorrhea (78.4%, 74.5%, and 46.1%, respectively). Severe sleep disorder in the past month was identified as an independent risk factor for hypomenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 2.64 and OR, 2.688; p<0.05). The prevalence of DOR among women with insomnia (33.3%) was significantly higher than the average reported in previous studies for young women. Insomnia duration exceeding 1 year was determined to be an independent risk factor for DOR in women aged 36 to 40 years (OR, 4.5; p=0.033). Conclusion This study highlights the association between sleep disorders and menstrual problems. Prolonged poor sleep quality in women aged 36 to 40 years was identified as a significant risk factor for DOR. We should pay more attention to improving sleep quality in order to maintain normal ovarian function.

Aim To establish insulin resistance cell model on HepG2 cells (human embryonic liver tumor cells )and investigate the effect of berberine hydro-chloride on insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2 ) cells.Methods ① IR model was induced by respec-tively using 10 -9 ,10 -8 ,10 -7 ,10 -6 ,10 -5 ,10 -4 mol ·L-1 insulin with 25 mmol · L-1 glucose in HepG2 cells.② HepG2 cells were incubated with 2-NBDG (fluorescent labeled glucose)in a series of concentra-tion:50,100,200,400,600,800 μmol·L-1 and a series of incubation time:20,40,60,80,100 min, to select the optimum concentration of insulin and the optimum incubation concentration and time of 2-NBDG in HepG2 cells.The success of the model was deter-mined by detecting the consumption of glucose in the cell supernatant and the uptake of glucose in HepG2 cells.③To study the effect of berberine hydrochloride on improving insulin resistance on the cell level,met-formin and berberine hydrochloride were used in the IR cells.Results Six concentrations of insulin induced the IR model in different degrees.Although 10 -4, 10 -5 mol·L-1 insulin was significant,a large amount of cells died.10 -6 mol·L-1 insulin was effective and had high survival rate of HepG2 cells,which had sta-tistical significance compared with the normal group. When the incubation concentration of 2-NBDG was more than 100 mol·L-1 ,the fluorescence intensity of the cells was significantly different from the normal group.When the incubation time of 2-NBDG was more than 20 min,fluorescence intensity was significantly different from the normal group.When the incubation time of 2-NBDG was more than 100 min,the fluores-cence quenching phenomenon was obvious in the cells. Berberine hydrochloride and metformin significantly in-creased the glucose consumption and glucose uptake in cell supernatant, which had statistical significance compared with the model group.Conclusions Using 10 -6 mol · L-1 insulin induced IR model in HepG2 cells,the optimum incubation concentration and incu-bation time of 2-NBDG is 200 μmol·L-1 and 80 min, respectively.Berberine hydrochloride and metformin have obvious effect on improving IR in HepG2 cells.

The human gut harbours a certain quantity and variety of microbes called intestinal flora, which is in a state of balance under normal circumstances, and dysbacteriosis occurs when the balance of the intestinal flora is dis-turbed by the host and the changes of the external environment.Circadian clock is the biological regulation system to adapt to natural circadian rhythm, including central clock and peripheral clock.Circadian clock disturbance, particularly rotating shift-workers with irregular light-night schedules, is associated with an increased risk of immune-related diseases.The de-velopment of these diseases is closely related to intestinal dysbacteriosis.Therefore, the correlation between intestinal dys-bacteriosis and circadian clock disturbance has attracted much attention.This review aims to explore the pathophysiological basis of the development in some immune-related diseases based on the latest scientific findings about the relationship be-tween intestinal microbial flora and circadian clock.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of different compatibility proportion of Jiaotai pills on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in rats.

METHODThe model of type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats was established by injecting streptozotocin from tail vein and feeding with high fat and high caloric diet. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into model group, Jiaotai pill 1 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 2: 1), Jiaotai pill 2 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 4: 1), Jiaotai pill 3 group (Coptidis Rhizoma-cinnamon 10: 1) and metformin group. Rats in different treatment groups were given by corresponding therapy from gastric tube. Meanwhile normal control group was another set. Body weight, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood lipid level including total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), plasma levels of free fatty acid (FFA) and adiponectin, plasma liver enzymes activity(ALT, AST, AKP, gamma-GT) and pathological results of liver tissue were determined after eight weeks.

RESULTBody weight, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postpradial plasma glucose at one hour (PG-1 h), postpradial blood glucose at two hour (PG-2 h), plasma levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, FFA and liver enzymes activity were all increased in rats of model group compared with those in normal control group. Plasma levels of HDL-C and adiponectin were decreased in model group (P < 0.01). Fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was apparent in liver tissues in rats of model group. Compared with model group results of OGTT, blood lipid levels and liver enzymes activity were improved while levels of HDL-C and adiponectin were increased in rats of different treatment groups (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Meanwhile fatty degeneration of hepatocytes was improved in liver tissues in rats of different treatment groups. Compared with metformin group, plasma level of HDL-C was elevated while AKP and gamma-GT were decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 1 group (P < 0.05), gamma-GT level was decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 2 group (P < 0.05), AST, AKP and gamma-GT levels were decreased significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 3 group (P < 0.05). Compared with Jiaotai Pill 1 group, plasma levels of HDL-C was decreased while AKP levels was elevated significantly in rats of Jiaotai pill 2 group, but HDL-C was decreased in rats of Jiaotai pill 3 group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that different compatibility proportion of Jiaotai pills are effective on treating type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats. The effect of Jiaotai pill 1 group is better than that of other therapy groups.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Fatty Acids, Nonesterified ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats ; Streptozocin

In order to explore the effects of Panax notoginoside (PNS) on the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad-7 in renal tissues of diabetes,a rat model of diabetic nephropathy was set up by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ).Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group,diabetic control group,group treated by PNS at low-dosage (PL),group treated by PNS at high-dosage (PH) and group treated by catopril (C),respectively.Fasting blood glucose (FBG),renal index,endogenous creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) and urinary albumin (UAlb) in 24 h were examined after 6 weeks.Meanwhile,the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad7 in renal tissues were immunohistochemically dectected.At the end of the sixth week,FBG,renal index,Ccr,UAlb were all elevated significantly in control group (P＜0.01).The expression of TGF-β1 protein was increased while Smad7 protein decreased in renal tissue (P＜0.01).However,the treatment with PNS reversed the aforementioned changes in renal tissues of diabetic rats.These results indicate that PNS possess a protective effect on the kidney of diabetic rats and it might protect kidney by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 protein and enhancing the expression of Smad7 protein.

In order to explore the effects of Panax notoginoside (PNS) on the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad-7 in renal tissues of diabetes, a rat model of diabetic nephropathy was set up by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal group, diabetic control group, group treated by PNS at low-dosage (PL), group treated by PNS at high-dosage (PH) and group treated by catopril (C), respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), renal index, endogenous creatinine clearance rate (C(Cr)) and urinary albumin (UAlb) in 24 h were examined after 6 weeks. Meanwhile, the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad7 in renal tissues were immunohistochemically dectected. At the end of the sixth week, FBG, renal index, C(cr), UAlb were all elevated significantly in control group (P<0.01). The expression of TGF-β1 protein was increased while Smad7 protein decreased in renal tissue (P<0.01). However, the treatment with PNS reversed the aforementioned changes in renal tissues of diabetic rats. These results indicate that PNS possess a protective effect on the kidney of diabetic rats and it might protect kidney by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 protein and enhancing the expression of Smad7 protein.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Bushen Tongmai recipe on the phospharylation expression of insulin receptor substrate-1 Ser307 (IRS-1 Ser307) in insulin target tissues of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) rats accompanying with insulin resistance (IR).

METHODRats of model of PCOS accompanying with IR were randomly divided into the model group and the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group. Meanwhile, a group of 13 rats of the same age was considered as the normal control group. The TCM group was administered with BSTMR. Half of each group was given insulin injection through portal vein in late estrus. Another half didnt receive insulin injection. The phospharylation levels of IRS-1 Ser307 in liver and fatty tissues were measured by Western blot. The phospharylation level of IRS-1 Ser307 in ovary tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTThe phospharylation expressions of IRS-1 Ser307 in liver, fat and ovary in the model group were higher than those in the normal group (P<0.05, P<0.01); those criteria in the TCM group were lower than those in the model group (P<0.05). After insulin stimulation, the phospharylation expressions of IRS-1 Ser307 were higher than those before insulin stimulation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONBushen Tongmai recipe could attenuate the phospharylation expression of IRS-1 Ser307 and then enhance insulin signal transduction, which may be one of the mechanisms of Bushen Tongmai recipe in improving PCOS accompanying with IR.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; metabolism ; Insulin Resistance ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Phosphorylation ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of bushen tongmai recipe (BSTMR) on mRNA and protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI-3K) p85alpha in hepatic, adipose, muscular and ovarian tissues in PCOS rats with insulin resistance (IR).

METHODTwenty-three-day-old female SD rats were injected subcutaneously with sodium prasterone sulfate (90 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) for 20 days, and fed with high-fat forage for 80 days to induce PCOS rats with IR Then the rats were randomly divided into the model group and the treated group. Meanwhile, a group of fifteen rats of the same age was considered as the normal control group. The treated group were administered with BSTMR. The ovulation condition was examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was determined using glucose oxidase method. Serum fasting insulin (Fins) was determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The mRNA level of PI-3K p85alpha was measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Immunohistochemistry staining was wtilised to detect protein expression of PI-3K p85alpha in ovary.

RESULTCompared with the model group, the mean number of corpus luteum and the rate of ovulation in the treated group increased significantly (P <0. 01). The level of Fins in the treated group was much lower than that in the model group (P < 0.01). Both mRNA and protein expressions of PI-3K p85alpha in target tissues were up-regulated significantly in the treated group (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBSTMR could improve IR and ovulation dysfunction in PCOS rats accompanying with IR and its molecular mechanisms might be closely related with the elevation of mRNA and protein levels of PI-3K p85alpha in target tissues of the model rats.

Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; genetics ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The effects of berberine on the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α) in liver of rats with fructose-induced insulin resistance and the molecular mechanism of berberine preventing insulin resistance were investigated. The experimental animals were divided into two groups of 16 animals each. The control group received a control routine diet containing 60% carbohydrate, and the study group a high-fructose diet containing 60% fructose as the sole source of carbohydrate. At the end of 6 weeks these were each subdivided into two groups. One was administered with berberine [187.5mg/(kg·d) in 5g/L carboxymethyl cellulosel] by intragastric intubation and the other group was treated with a vehicle (5g/L carboxymethyl cellulose). The rats were fed on the same dietary regimen for the next 4 weeks. After the experimental period of 10 weeks, plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels were measured. HOMA insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was assayed. Immunohistochemistry, semiquantitative RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of HNF-4α in liver. Compared with control diet, fructose feeding induced hyperinsulinemia, HOMA-IR and increased triglyceride (all P<0.01). Berberine prevented the rise in plasma insulin (P<0.01), HOMA-IR (P<0.01) and triglyceride (P<0.05) in the fructose-fed rats. No change in plasma glucose was seen among these groups. The mRNA and protein expression of HNF-4α was decreased in the fructose-fed rats, but berberine could promote its expression. It was concluded that berberine could prevent fructose-induced insulin resistance in rats possibly by promoting the expression HNF-4α in liver.

In order to investigate the application of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) and computerized tomography (CT) in the quantitative diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and evaluation of therapeutic effects, 22 patients with NAFLD were selected according to the Chinese Medical Association's (CMA) standard of the NAFLD in comparison with 20 healthy volunteers (as control group). Blood samples for biochemistry were collected. The severity of hepatosteatosis was evaluated by 1H-MRS scan and CT scan of liver. The intrahepatic content of lipid (IHCL) and CT value ratio of liver to spleen were calculated. The patients in NAFLD group were treated with Ganzhixiao Capsule for 8 weeks. The changes in IHCL and CT value ratio of liver to spleen were observed before and after treatment. In NAFLD group serum ALT, TG, IHCL calculated by 1HMRS were increased and CT value ratio of liver to spleen decreased significantly as compared with control group. After treatment for 8 weeks serum ALT, TG, IHCL were decreased significantly, while CT value ratio of liver to spleen increased significantly in NAFLD group. It was suggested that IHCL could be measured precisely by 1HMRS. NAFLD was treated effectively by Ganzhixiao capsule.