Protective effect of soy isolate protein against streptozotocin induced gestational diabetes mellitus via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a serious complication of pregnancy that is characterized by high blood sugar levels that occur due to insulin resistance and dysfunction in glucose metabolism during pregnancy. It usually develops in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and affects about 7 % of all pregnancies worldwide. In this experimental study, we scrutinized the GDM protective effect of soy isolate protein against streptozotocin (STZ) induced GDM in rats and explore the underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were used in this experimental study. A 55 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) was administered to induce diabetes in female rats, followed by oral administration of soy isolate protein for 18 days. Body weight, glucose levels, and insulin were measured at different time intervals (0, 9, and 18 days). Lipid profiles, antioxidant levels, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis parameters, and mRNA expression were also assessed. Pancreatic and liver tissues were collected for histopathological examination during the experimental study. RESULTS: Soy isolate protein significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the glucose level and enhanced the insulin level and body weight. Soy isolate protein remarkably decreased the placental weight and increased the fetal weight. Soy isolate protein significantly (P < 0.001) decreased the HbA1c, hepatic glycogen, serum C-peptide and increased the level of free fatty acid. Soy isolate protein significantly (P < 0.001) altered the level of lipid, antioxidant and inflammatory cytokines. Soy isolate protein significantly (P < 0.001) improved the level of adiponectin, visfatin and suppressed the level of leptin and ICAM-1. Soy isolate protein significantly (P < 0.001) altered the mRNA expression and also restored the alteration of histopathology. CONCLUSION: Based on the result, soy isolate protein exhibited the GDM protective effect against the STZ induced GDM in rats via alteration of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

A Phase III Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of Yinghua Tablet in the Treatment of Sequelae of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the Yinghua tablet in treating sequelae of pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) that manifest as the syndrome of dampness-heat stasis. Methods: The experimental group enrolled 360 cases, while the control group enrolled 120 cases. The experimental group took Yinghua tablets three times a day, three tablets each time, and the control group took Fuyankang tablets three times a day, three tablets each time. The treatment course was six weeks. Before treatment, at three weeks and six weeks of treatment, the patients were scored for TCM syndrome, clinical symptoms and, signs, and adverse events during treatment were recorded. Results: The experimental group included 340 cases, and the control group finally included 114 cases. After six weeks of treatment, statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in the treatment effect, recovery rate, markedly effective rate, and total effective rate (P < .05). The two groups had no significant difference in the effective rate of local signs (P > .05). However, the two groups had a significant difference in the total effective rate (P < .05). Before and after treatment, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms score, symptom sign score, and local sign score were statistically significant (P < .05). The incidence of adverse events (AEs) after taking Yinghua Tablets was 3.61% (13 times), of which the incidence of adverse events related to study drugs was 0.28% (1 case). The AEs of Fuyankang Tablets were 1.67% (2 times), of which the incidence of adverse events related to study drugs was 1.67% (2 cases). There was no significant difference in the incidence of AEs between the two groups as compared to Fisher (P = .3767), indicating that no serious AEs occurred in either group. Conclusions: Yinghua tablet was effective and safe in treating sequelae of pelvic inflammatory diseases.