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Objective: To investigate the effects of Reduqing (RDQ, Open image in new window ) on plasma interleukin-8 (IL-8), NO2 - /NO3 -, complement 5a (C5a) and polymorphonuclear neutrophilic leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis Index (CI) in rabbits with endotoxin-induced disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC).Methods: Endotoxin-in-duced DIC model made by injection of Lipopolysacchrides (LPS) was used in the experiment. Above-mentioned indexes were determined before and after RDQ treatment and compared with blank and dexamethasone treated group.Results: Plasma IL-8, NO2 - /NO3 -, C5a and CI level of PMN increased markedly in the model group, which were confirmed pathologically with obvious damage of tissues or organs. In the RDQ group, the abovem entiond parameters and damage of tissues or organs were reduced significantly (P < 0.01).Conclusion: IL-8 and NO might be involved in pathogenesis of endotoxin-induced DIC, and RDQ could be used in preventing or treating DIC through the mechanism of regulation of cytokines network.

To investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of different doses of 8-hydroxy dihydroberberine (Hdber) for the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats.A rat model of hyperlipidemia was established by feeding rats a high-fat diet for 4 weeks in 70 rats of 80 animals, and 10 rats were randomly selected as control group. The hyperlipidemic rats were then randomly divided into the following groups: a model group (MOD); a berberine group [BBR, 156 mg/(kg day)]; Hdber groups, which were treated with different doses of Hdber [78, 39 and 19.5 mg/(kg day)]; and a simvastatin group [SIM, 4 mg/(kg day)]. The corresponding therapy was administered to the rats of each treatment via gastric tubes. Normal animals were used as a control group. The blood levels of various lipids, including total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acid (FFA), apolipoprotein AI(Apo-AI) and apolipoprotein B (Apo-B) were examined. The protein expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP-2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK-9) in liver tissues were determined by Western blot analysis.Compared with the control group of rats, the model group demonstrated a deteriorated blood lipid profile and exhibited increased expression levels of PCSK-9 protein in their liver tissues (P0.01). In addition, the high-fat diet decreased the expression levels of LDL-R, SREBP-2 and HMGCR proteins in murine liver tissues. However, the addition of berberine or Hdber reversed the blood lipid profile changes (P0.05 or P0.01), decreased the expression levels of PCSK-9 proteins (P0.01), and increased the expression levels of LDL-R proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats (P0.01). These compounds did not significantly influence the expression levels of SREBP-2 and HMGCR proteins in the hyperlipidemic rats.Hdber is effective in the treatment of hyperlipidemia in rats. The therapeutic mechanisms of Hdber may be associated with increasing the expression of LDL-R protein and decreasing the expression of PCSK-9 protein in liver tissues.

Daidzein belongs to the group of isoflavones, found in a wide variety of plant-derived foods, especially in soybeans and soy-based foods. In this study, the effect of daidzein on human gastric carcinoma cells (BGC-823) and its mechanism were investigated. MTT assay was applied in the detection of the inhibitory effects of daidzein on cell proliferation. Hoechst–propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry were used to examine the apoptosis as well as the mitochondrial transmembrane potential. Western blotting was performed to detect the expression of apoptosis-associated proteins: cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax. Daidzein significantly inhibited the growth and proliferation of human gastric carcinoma cells (BGC-823) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, it was found that an insult of daidzein to BGC-823 cells caused them to die by disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, demonstrated not only by staining dead cells for phosphatidylserine but also by the up-regulation (cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, Bax) and down-regulation (Bcl-2) of proteins associated with apoptosis and survival; whereas, the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk could partially rescue cells against damage of daidzein. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that daidzein significantly induces apoptosis via a mitochondrial pathway. Specifically, daidzein induced a change in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratios and activation of caspases-3 and -9 and the cleavage of PARP. Therefore, daidzein has the potential for use as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of gastric carcinoma.

Accurate identification of chaotic behavior from a deterministic periodic process is a difficult but significant issue as underlying dynamics in the data determines the sequent analysis techniques. Since both chaotic and periodic time series can have the similar waveform and spectrum the commonly used approaches for detecting chaotic behavior have limitation. So in this paper, we present an alternative method to observe the prediction on the trajectories of the given system against variable prediction time lags by using the nonparametric model. While applying the method to numerical data and three types of electrocardiogram (ECG) data, the results demonstrate that the approach we adopted can reveal the distinction between the chaos and periodic process, and is a convenient and effective tool for practical application

The effects of berberine on the expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor-4alpha (HNF-4alpha) 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 [187.5 mg/(kg x d) in 5 g/L carboxymethyl cellulose] by intragastric intubation and the other group was treated with a vehicle (5 g/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-4alpha in liver. Compared with control diet, fructose feeding induced hyperinsulinemia, HOMA-IR and increased triglyceride (all P

To investigate the effects and molecular mechanisms of berberine on improving insulin resistance induced by free fatty acids (FFAs) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.The model of insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was established by adding palmic acid (0.5 mmol/L) to the culture medium. Berberine treatment was performed at the same time. Glucose uptake rate was determined by the 2-deoxy-[(3)H]-D-glucose method. The levels of IkB kinase beta (IKKbeta) Ser(181) phosphorylation, insulin receptor substrate-1(IRS-1) Ser(307) phosphorylation, expression of IKKbeta, IRS-1, nuclear transcription factor kappaB p65 (NF-kappaB p65), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase p85 (PI-3K p85) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) proteins were detected by Western blotting. The distribution of NF-kappaB p65 proteins inside the adipocytes was observed through confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).After the intervention of palmic acid for 24 h, the insulin-stimulated glucose transport in 3T3-L1 adipocytes was inhibited by 67%. Meanwhile, the expression of IRS-1 and PI-3K p85 protein was reduced, while the levels of IKKbeta Ser(181) and IRS-1 Ser(307) phosphorylation, and nuclear translocation of NF-kappaB p65 protein were increased. However, the above indexes, which indicated the existence of insulin resistance, were reversed by berberine although the expression of GLUT4, IKKbeta and total NF-kappaB p65 protein were not changed during this study.Insulin resistance induced by FFAs in 3T3-L1 adipocytes can be improved by berberine. Berberine reversed free-fatty-acid-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 adipocytes through targeting IKKbeta.

To study effects of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) on lipid metabolism, leptin and resistin in insulin resistive rats.Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) rat model was induced by intravenous injection with a low dose of streptozotocin and high fat and high caloric diet, and randomized into four groups: the model control group, the HJD group, the berberine group and the aspirin group. Meanwhile 16 normal rats were assigned as the normal control group. The body weight was observed before and after treatment, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), apolipoprotein A1 and B (apoA1, apoB), free fatty acid (FFA), insulin (INS) in serum, skeletal muscle triglyceride (mTG) in skeletal muscle, and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were detected after 10 weeks of treatment, at the same time, serum levels of leptin and resistin were determined using ELLISA.The levels of TC, TG, apoB, FBG, FFA, mTG, leptin and resistin were obviously lowered, the levels of HDL-C and apoA1 significantly raised, glucose tolerance improved and body weight reduced in insulin resistive rats, as compared with the model control (P0.05, P0.01).The effects of HJD in lowering lipids, as well as reducing leptin and resistin might be closely correlated with its effects in ameliorating insulin resistance.

AIM: To investigate the effects of emodin on the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver in rats induced by high caloric laboratory chaw. METHODS: Non-alcoholic fatty liver model was successfully established by feeding with high caloric laboratory chaw for 12 wk. Then the model rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, namely model control group, emodin group and dietary treatment group. The rats in emodin group were given emodin at dose of 40 mg/(kg·d) while animals in other groups were given distilled water of the same volume. The rats in model control group were fed with high caloric laboratory chaw while animals in other groups were fed with normal diet. Four weeks later, liver index (liver/body weight ratio), serum activities of liver-associated enzymes, blood lipid, fasting blood glucose, fasting plasma insulin, HOMA insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR), hepatic triglyceride content and histology features of all groups were assayed. The expression of hepatic peroxisomal proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) gamma was determined by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The body weight, liver index, serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood lipid, hepatic triglyceride content of model control group were significantly elevated, with moderate to severe hepatocyte steatosis. The expression of hepatic PPAR gamma mRNA was obviously reduced in model control group. Compared with model control group, the body weight, liver index, serum activities of ALT, blood lipids and hepatic triglyceride of emodin group significantly decreased and hepatic histology display was also greatly improved. Meanwhile, the expression of hepatic PPAR gamma mRNA was elevated. However, high serum activities of ALT and hyperlipidemia were persisted in dietary treatment group although liver index was decreased and liver histology was somewhat improved. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that emodin might be effective in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver in rats. Its therapeutic mechanism could be associated with increasing the expression of hepatic PPAR gamma mRNA.

AIM: To investigate the effect of fenugreek lactone (FL) on palmitate (PA)-induced apoptosis and dysfunction in insulin secretion in pancreatic NIT-1 β-cells. METHODS: Cells were cultured in the presence or absence of FL and PA (0.25 mmol/L) for 48 h. Then, lipid droplets in NIT-1 cells were observed by oil red O staining, and the intracellular triglyceride content was measured by colorimetric assay. The insulin content in the supernatant was determined using an insulin radio-immunoassay. Oxidative stress-associated parameters, including total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity and malondialdehyde levels in the suspensions were also examined. The expression of upstream regulators of oxidative stress, such as protein kinase C-α (PKC-α), phospho-PKC-α and P47phox, were determined by Western blot analysis and real-time PCR. In addition, apoptosis was evaluated in NIT-1 cells by flow cytometry assays and caspase-3 viability assays. RESULTS: Our results indicated that compared to the control group, PA induced an increase in lipid accumulation and apoptosis and a decrease in insulin secretion in NIT-1 cells. Oxidative stress in NIT-1 cells was activated after 48 h of exposure to PA. However, FL reversed the above changes. These effects were accompanied by the inhibition of PKC-α, phospho-PKC-α and P47phox expression and the activation of caspase-3. CONCLUSION: FL attenuates PA-induced apoptosis and insulin secretion dysfunction in NIT-1 pancreatic β-cells. The mechanism for this action may be associated with improvements in levels of oxidative stress.

AIM: To investigate the molecular mechanisms of berberine inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis in a diabetic rat model. METHODS: The 40 rats were randomly divided into five groups. One group was selected as the normal group. In the remaining groups (n = 8 each), the rats were fed on a high-fat diet for 1 mo and received intravenous injection of streptozotocin for induction of the diabetic models. Berberine (156 mg/kg per day) (berberine group) or metformin (184 mg/kg per day) (metformin group) was intragastrically administered to the diabetic rats and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) (0.5 mg/kg per day) (AICAR group) was subcutaneously injected to the diabetic rats for 12 wk. The remaining eight diabetic rats served as the model group. Fasting plasma glucose and insulin levels as well as lipid profile were tested. The expressions of proteins were examined by western blotting. The nuclear translocation of CREB-regulated transcription co-activator (TORC)2 was observed by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Berberine improved impaired glucose tolerance and decreased plasma hyperlipidemia. Moreover, berberine decreased fasting plasma insulin and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Berberine upregulated protein expression of liver kinase (LK)B1, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylated AMPK (p-AMPK). The level of phophorylated TORC2 (p-TORC2) protein in the cytoplasm was higher in the berberine group than in the model group, and no significant difference in total TORC2 protein level was observed. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that more TORC2 was localized in the cytoplasm of the berberine group than in the model group. Moreover, berberine treatment downregulated protein expression of the key gluconeogenic enzymes (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and glucose-6-phosphatase) in the liver tissues. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that berberine inhibited hepatic gluconeogenesis via the regulation of the LKB1-AMPK-TORC2 signaling pathway.

A novel speckle interferometry, called volume-grating speckle interferometry, is proposed in this paper. Large shearing out-of-plane displacement field can be measured by using this method. Theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration are given in this paper.

An adaptive method is proposed in this paper for design of an ideal low-pass filter based on the Fourier-transform spectrum distribution of digital speckle interference fringe patterns. The size and shape of the ideal low-pass filter can be determined automatically by using an adaptive method based on the edge detection and morphological operation. The cutoff frequency of the ideal low-pass filter along arbitrary direction can also be determined automatically by using an adaptive method based on the Radon transform. The ideal low-pass filter designed in the paper can be used effectively for denoising of digital speckle interference fringe patterns in phase-shifting digital speckle pattern interferometry.

The influence of displacement and its first- and second-order derivative components on curvature fringe formations in speckle shearography is discussed. The results show that (a) all the displacement components have no direct influence on curvature fringe formations; (b) only the first-order derivative component along the centerline of three apertures has an influence on curvature fringe formations, whereas all the other first-order components have no influence; and (c) all the second-order derivative components have no influence on curvature fringe formations. Results from theory and experiments are in good agreement.

The influence of the in-plane displacement and doubleaperture orientation on the slope fringe formation in double-shearing- aperture speckle interferometry is discussed in detail. The research results show that the two in-plane displacement components, one parallel to and the other perpendicular to the shearing direction, have an influence on the slope fringe formation and that the double-aperture orientation also has an important influence on the slope fringe formation. A theoretical analysis and experimental results are presented. The experimental results are in good agreement with the theoretical analysis.

Background Jiao-Tai-Wan (JTW), composed of Rhizome Coptidis and Cortex Cinnamomi, is a classical traditional Chinese prescription for treating insomnia. Several in vivo studies have concluded that JTW could exert its therapeutical effect in insomnia rats. However, the specific mechanism is still unclear. The present study aimed to explore the effect of JTW on sleep in obesity-resistant (OR) rats with chronic partial sleep deprivation (PSD) and to clarify its possible mechanism. Methods JTW was prepared and the main components contained in the granules were identified by 3D-High Performance Liquid Chromatography (3D-HPLC) assay. The Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats underwent 4 h PSD by environmental noise and the treatment with low and high doses of JTW orally for 4 weeks, respectively. Then sleep structure was analyzed by electroencephalographic (EEG). Inflammation markers including high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were examined in the rat plasma. Meanwhile, metabolic parameters as body weight increase rate, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS) levels and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were measured. The expressions of clock gene cryptochromes (Cry1 and Cry2) and inflammation gene nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in peripheral blood monocyte cells (PBMC) were also determined. Results The result showed that the administration of JTW significantly increased total sleep time and total slow wave sleep (SWS) time in OR rats with PSD. Furthermore, the treatment with JTW reversed the increase in the markers of systemic inflammation and insulin resistance caused by sleep loss. These changes were also associated with the up-regulation of Cry1 mRNA and Cry 2 mRNA and the down-regulation of NF-κB mRNA expression in PBMC. Conclusions This study suggests that JTW has the beneficial effects of improving sleep, inflammation and insulin sensitivity. The mechanism appears to be related to the modulation of circadian clock and inflammation genes expressions in PBMC.