ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Lingguizhugan (LGZG) decoction is a widely used classic Chinese medicine formula that was recently shown to improve high-fat diet (HFD)-induced insulin resistance (IR) in animal studies. AIM: To assess the therapeutic effect of LGZG decoction on HFD-induced IR and explore the potential underlying mechanism. METHODS: To establish an IR rat model, a 12-wk HFD was administered, followed by a 4-wk treatment with LGZG. The determination of IR status was achieved through the use of biochemical tests and oral glucose tolerance tests. Using a targeted meta-bolomics platform to analyze changes in serum metabolites, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to assess the gene expression of the ribosomal protein S6 kinase beta 1 (S6K1). RESULTS: In IR rats, LGZG decreased body weight and indices of hepatic steatosis. It effectively controlled blood glucose and food intake while protecting islet cells. Metabolite analysis revealed significant differences between the HFD and HFD-LGZG groups. LGZG intervention reduced branched-chain amino acid levels. Levels of IR-related metabolites such as tryptophan, alanine, taurine, and asparagine decreased significantly. IR may be linked to amino acids due to the contemporaneous increase in S6K1 expression, as shown by qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS: Our study strongly suggests that LGZG decoction reduces HFD-induced IR. LGZG may activate S6K1 via metabolic pathways. These findings lay the groundwork for the potential of LGZG as an IR treatment.
ABSTRACT
The HA gene of H9N2 influenza virus (A/chicken/Hunan/04.14 (H9N2)) was amplified and sequenced. The RNA was synthesized by in vitro transcription. The RNA transcription solutions were diluted to 109 copies/µL using the RNA storage solution. The aliquoted RNA solutions were used to evaluate the homogeneity and stability. The results were determined by the average value obtained from four independent laboratories. Furthermore, the fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR method was also developed to verify the detection accuracy of clinical samples. The detection limit of this method is approximately 10 copies. Taken together, the RNA transcription solution established in our study can used as positive standard reference for rapid detection of H9N2 influenza virus.