Effect of Yanggyuksanhwa-Tang on Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Unresponsive to Oral Hypoglycemic Agents:A Case Report

Diabetes mellitus is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, following cancer, cerebrovascular disease, and heart disease. It is triggered by hyperglycemia and other metabolic disorders. Diabetes is a complex endocrine disease that causes chronic vascular complications such as diabetic nephropathy, retinopathy, and polyneuropathy.

Effects of Xianzhen Tablet（仙贞片）on Na^+-K^+-ATPase and Ca^(2+)-Mg^(2+)-ATPase in Erythrocytic Membranes and Viscosity of Whole Blood in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Patients with Qi-Yin Deficiency, Kidney Deficiency and Blood Stasis

Objective: To assess the effects of Xianzhen tablet (XZT) on Na+-K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ Mg2+-ATPase on erythrocytic membranes, viscosity of whole blood, plasma glucose and clinical manifestations.Methods: Seventy-two cases of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) patients with deficiency of both Qi and Yin, deficiency of the Kidney and blood stasis were selected, and the effects of treatment on Na+ K + -ATPase, Ca2+-Mg2+ -ATPase, whole blood viscosity, blood sugar and clinical Symptoms were observed.Results: In XZT group (test group), activities of Na+ -K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ -Mg2+ -ATPase rose significantly(P< 0. 01, P< 0. 05) after treatment. Viscosity of whole blood and clinical manifestations also improved obviously. The total effective rate in lowering plasma glucose was 77. 8 % with fasting blood glucose (FBG) and 69.4 % with 2 hours postprandial plasma blood glucose (2°PBG). In the control group, viscosity of whole blood andclinical manifestations had no significant improvement. Its total effective rate in lowering plasma glucose was41. 7% with FBG and 38. 9% with 2°PBG. Conclusions: XZT played a certain role in increasing activities ofNa+ -K + -ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+ -ATPase, decreasing viscosity of whole blood and plasma glucose and improving clinical manifestations. Therefore, XZT was experimentally manifested as an effective drug in treating NIDDM patients with Qi-Yin deficiency, renal deficiency and blood stasis.

Gene Expression of Adiponectin and Adiponectin Receptor 1 in Type 2 Diabetic Rats and the Relationship with the Parameters of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

In order to confirm whether the mRNA levels of adiponectin in adipose tissue and mRNA levels of AdipoR1 in the skeletal muscles were correlated with the serum parameters of glucose and lipid metabolism and to clarify the regulation of adiponectin receptor gene expression in diabetic states, serum adiponectin, mRNA levels of adiponectin in adipose tissue and mRNA levels of AdipoR1 in the skeletal muscles were examined in type 2 diabetic rats. The model of type 2 diabetes was prepared by feeding high fat diet and injecting low dosage of streptozotocin (STZ). The diabetic rats were screened out by oral glucose tolerance test. One group of type 2 diabetic rats received rosiglitazone. The serum adiponectin concentration was detected by using ELISA and mRNA levels were examined by RT-PCR. The serum adiponectin levels and mRNA levels of adiponectin in adipose tissue of type 2 diabetic rats were significantly decreased as compared with the normal control rats (P<0.05, P<0.01 respectively). No siglificant changes were observed in the expression of adiponectin receptor 1 in the skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetic rats. The mRNA levels of adiponectin in adipose tissue were reversely correlated with serum insulin (r=-0.66, P<0.05), triglyceride (r=-0.58, P<0.05), cholesterol (r=-0.49, P<0.05), interleukin-6 (r=-0.49, P<0.05) and tumor necrosis factor (r=-0.43, P<0.05). The expression of adiponectin receptors was not altered in the skeletal muscle of Type 2 diabetic rats. The decreased serum adiponectin was caused by the decreased expression of adiponectin mRNA in adipose tissue rather than the adiponectin receptors in the skeletal muscle, which could be improved by rosiglitazone.

First multicenter study for risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma development in North Africa

AIM:To assess the role of the major risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) development in the western part of North Africa.METHODS:A multicenter case control study was conducted in Tunisia,Morocco and Algeria in collaboration with Pasteur Institutes in these countries.A total of 164 patients with HCC and 250 control subjects without hepatic diseases were included.Prevalences of HBsAg,anti-hepatitis C virus(HCV)and diabetes were assessed.HCV and HBV genotyping were performed for anti-HCV and HBsAg positive patients.RESULTS:The mean age of patients was 62±10 years old for a 1.5 M:F sex ratio.Sixty percent of HCC patients were positive for anti-HCV and 17.9% for HBsAg.Diabetes was detected in 18% of cases.Odd ratio(OR)and 95% confidence intervals(CI) were 32.0(15.8-65.0),7.2(3.2-16.1) and 8.0(3.1 -20.0)for anti-HCV,HBsAg and diabetes respectively.Multivariate analysis indicated that the three studied factors were independent.1b HCV genotype and D HBV genotype were predominant in HCC patients.HCV was the only risk factor significantly associated with an excess of cirrhosis(90% vs 68% for all other risk factors collectively,P=0.00168).Excessive alcohol consumption was reliably established for 19(17.6%) cases among the 108 HCC patients for whom data is available.CONCLUSION:HCV and HBV infections and diabetes are the main determinants of HCC development in North Africa.An active surveillance and secondary prevention programs for patients with chronic hepatitis and nutrition-associated metabolic liver diseases are the most important steps to reduce the risk of HCC in the region.Salah Berkane,Department of Gastroenterology BologhineUniversity Hospital,Bologhine 16090,Algiers。