Zou Da-jin

Prevention of tumor necrosis factor-a induced insulin resistance by Radix Astragali

Objective: To investigate the preventive effect of Radix Astragali on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a) induced insulin resistance.Methods: Rats were treated orally with Radix Astragali before TNF-α intravenous injection. The changes of K value in glucose-insulin tolerance test, the concentrations of glucagon (GC), ACTH and lipids in serum and the contents of glycogen, triglyceride (TG) in liver and red quadriceps were tested 4 hours after the injection and compared with the control.Results: Exogenous TNF-α can induce hyperinsulinemia in normal rats, and the K value decreased, the concentration of serum ACTH, GC and lipids all increased, the glycogen contents in liver and red quadriceps muscle decreased, and the liver TG depots increased. Radix Astragali can improve all the parameters significantly except the serum lipids level and liver triglyceride depots.Conclusions: Radix Astragali has preventive effect on insulin resistance induced by TNF-α and is useful in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. The mechanism may be due to the decrease of insulin-antagonistic hormones and the increase of tissue glycogen contents.

Changes of leucocytic estrogen receptor levels in patients with climacteric syndrome and the therapeutic effects of Liuwei Dihuang Pills (六位地黄)

The levels of estrogen receptor (ER) in human peripheral leucocytes in 22 women with climacteric syndrome were measured by radioligand method. The results were compared with those of 12 healthy women of child-bearing age. It was found that the contents of leucocytic ER in patients with climacteric syndrome were significantly lower than healthy women of child-bearing age (372±149 vs 1143 ±255 Rs binding sites/cell). The authors used a Chinese prescription — Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LDP) to treat the patients for 2 months. The levels of leucocytic ER were increased after treatment. The data indicate a decrease of ER levels in leucocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of climacteric syndrome. LDP not only increase plasma estradiol levels, but also increase the leucocytic ER levels. This may be the basis of the therapeutic effect of LDP on climacteric syndrome.The levels of estrogen receptor (ER) in human peripheral leucocytes in 22 women with climacteric syndrome were measured by radioligand method. The results were compared with those of 12 healthy women of child-bearing age. It was found that the contents of leucocytic ER in patients with climacteric syndrome were significantly lower than healthy women of child-bearing age (372±149 vs 1143 ±255 Rs binding sites/cell). The authors used a Chinese prescription — Liuwei Dihuang Pills (LDP) to treat the patients for 2 months. The levels of leucocytic ER were increased after treatment. The data indicate a decrease of ER levels in leucocytes may be involved in the pathogenesis of climacteric syndrome. LDP not only increase plasma estradiol levels, but also increase the leucocytic ER levels. This may be the basis of the therapeutic effect of LDP on climacteric syndrome.