Embryonic diapause due to high glucose is related to changes in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as abnormalities in the TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism

IntroductionThe adverse effects of high glucose on embryos can be traced to the preimplantation stage. This study aimed to observe the effect of high glucose on early-stage embryos. Methods and resultsSeven-week-old ICR female mice were superovulated and mated, and the zygotes were collected. The zygotes were randomly cultured in 5 different glucose concentrations (control, 20mM, 40mM, 60mM and 80mM glucose). The cleavage rate, blastocyst rate and total cell number of blastocyst were used to assess the embryo quality. 40 mM glucose was selected to model high glucose levels in this study. 40mM glucose arrested early embryonic development, and the blastocyst rate and total cell number of the blastocyst decreased significantly as glucose concentration was increased. The reduction in the total cell number of blastocysts in the high glucose group was attributed to decreased proliferation and increased cell apoptosis, which is associated with the diminished expression of GLUTs (GLUT1, GLUT2, GLUT3). Furthermore, the metabolic characterization of blastocyst culture was observed in the high-glucose environment. DiscussionThe balance of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation at the blastocyst stage was disrupted. And embryo development arrest due to high glucose is associated with changes in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as abnormalities in the TCA cycle and amino acid metabolism

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the active components in serum of rats treated with Zuogui Pill

Objective: To investigate the active components Zuogui Pill, a typical recipe for nourishing kidney essence in the traditional Chinese medicine. Methods: Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were treated with the traditional Chinese herbal medicine Zuogui Pill and the active components found in the serum of the animals were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. FTIR spectra of serum samples of treated and untreated rats were analyzed and the A2960/A2931 and A1540/A1080 ratios were calculated. Results: A2960/A2931 ratios of the serum samples collected following the administration of Zuogui Pill were significantly higher than those of the normal serum samples. FTIR data were then fitted using a Gaussian equation for wave numbers in the range of 1140–1000 cm−1. ARNA/ADNA ratios in the serum of rats treated with Zuogui Pill were higher than those found in normal rat serum. Conclusion: FTIR spectroscopy could be used as an analytical tool to detect the active components in serum of animals treated with Zuogui Pill

The Therapeutic Effect of Zuogui Wan in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Rats

In this experiment, we established an animal model of gestational diabetes mellitus rats using streptozotocin. Using the rat model of GDM, the pregnant rats in 1-19d were divided into three groups: (1) Zuogui Wan gestational diabetes mellitus group (group I, n=12), (2) gestational diabetes mellitus rats as the control group (group II, n=11), and (3) rats of normal pregnancy group (group III, n=11). Compared with gestational diabetes mellitus rats as the control group, Zuogui Wan can change the indexes of fasting blood glucose, body weight, total cholesterol, insulin, and metabolism cage index significantly in Zuogui Wan gestational diabetes mellitus group. We can conclude that Zuogui Wan has the therapeutic effect on gestational diabetes mellitus

The Preventive Effect of Zuogui Wan on Offspring Rats’ Impaired Glucose Tolerance Whose Mothers Had Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

In this experiment, we used streptozotocin (STZ) to establish a model of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) rats, where Zuogui Wan was given to GDM rats. After pregnancy, offspring rats were divided into 4 groups: control group, high fat and sugar as the control group, GDM group, and Zuogui Wan GDM group. Rats in high fat and sugar as the control group, GDM group, and Zuogui Wan GDM group were fed with high fat and sugar diet. Rats in control group were fed the basic diet. The means of 2hPG were higher than 7.8 mmol·L−1 and lower than 11.1 mmol·L−1 on the rats of GDM group on week 15, and IGT models were successful. Body weight, abdominal fat weight, the ratio of abdominal fat weight and body weight, fasting plasma glucose, 2hPG, insulin, leptin, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of Zuogui Wan GDM group were significantly lower than GDM group. The level of adiponectin in Zuogui Wan GDM group was significantly higher than GDM group. And we concluded that giving Zuogui Wan to GDM rats can have a preventive effect on the offsprings’ IGT induced by high fat and sugar diet