Objective: This study aimed to investigate the interaction between age groups and risk factors for diabetes and prediabetes in Shanghai communities and to identify the effect of age on other risk factors for diabetes and prediabetes. Methods: This study recruited 3540 participants with undiagnosed diabetes or prediabetes in 14 communities in Shanghai from February to August 2019. All participants underwent a comprehensive examination, including filling out a detailed questionnaire, physical examination, 75 g oral glucose tolerance test, and blood sample collection. In addition, logistic regression was used to analyze the interaction between age and risk factors for prediabetes and diabetes. Results: The statistical analysis included 2776 people. In this study, the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes were 15.1% and 52.3%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes is higher in the elderly than in the middle-aged group. Among the risk factors for diabetes, overweight was associated with higher age (P-interaction 0.028). In addition, among the risk factors for prediabetes, a high level of education was associated with higher age (P-interaction 0.039) and elevated serum cholesterol level was associated with lower age (P-interaction 0.019). Conclusion: This study confirmed an interaction between age and other influencing factors, which may be important in explaining differences in risk factors for diabetes and prediabetes in the middle-aged and elderly populations. Community health facilities can provide health guidance to people of different age groups to prevent and control prediabetes and diabetes.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common liver disease, accompanied by liver lipid accumulation and inflammation. JianPi-QingHua formula (JPQH), a Chinese herbal formula, exhibits effe...

Background:IMCLs are an important factor in skeletal muscle insulin resistance. This study aimed to explore the effect of Jianpi Qinghua formula (JPQHF) on IMCLs and its mechanism, as well as the relationship between IMCLs and other skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity factors, thereby elucidating the mechanism by which JPQHF improves insulin sensitivity.Methods: In an in vivo experiment, JPQHF and pioglitazone (PIO) were individually used to treat C57 mice with high-fat diet-induced obesity. In an in vitro experiment, JPQHF and rapamycin in serum were individually used to treat C2C12 cells induced with palmitic acid. The IMCLs of tissue and cells were subjected to oil red O staining. The RNA and protein expression of PPARγ, myogenin, mTORC1 and members of the PI3K/AKT pathway in skeletal muscle tissue and C2C12 cells was examined. Differences between the different intervention groups were determined.Results: IMCLs were significantly increased in mice with obesity induced by a high-fat diet and the C2C12 cell line treated with palmitic acid compared to the corresponding controls. mTORC1 phosphorylation and PPARγ levels were also increased, and AKT phosphorylation and myogenin levels were decreased. Intervention with JPQHF reversed the above changes. In addition, the PPARγ level in C2C12 cells was reduced after intervention with rapamycin, an inhibitor of mTORC1. However, AKT phosphorylation and myogenin levels did not recover after rapamycin intervention.Conclusion: IMCLs were significantly increased in obese C57 mice and palmitic acid-treated C2C12 cells. JPQHF reduced IMCLs both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, this effect likely occurred through JPQHF-mediated inhibition of the overactivation of mTORC1 and a subsequent reduction in the expression of PPARγ. However, the function of JPQHF in elevating myogenin levels and the PI3K/AKT pathway may not be entirely dependent on mTORC1.

BackgroundThe gut microbiome is a key target for traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) to ameliorate type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients with T2DM have quite distinct gut microbiota in comparisons with normal individuals, and it directly influences intestinal permeability. This study aims to investigate the underlying effects of Jianpi Qinghua Decoction on gut microbiota and intestinal permeability in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.Methods / designThis study is a single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in 120 subjects with newly diagnosed T2DM. The patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio into placebo group (1/10 Jianpi Qinghua Decoction + maltodextrin twice daily, n = 60) and treatment group (Jianpi Qinghua Decoction twice daily, n = 60). The study drugs will be double blinded to both investigators and participants. The visits will be done at baseline (visit 0), 1 month (visit 1), 2 months (visit 2), 3 months (visit 3). Measures include: anthropometric measures, blood pressure, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 2-hour postprandial blood glucose (2hPG) and serum insulin, total cholesterol (TC), total triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), safety indexs (including blood routine examination, clinical urine tests, liver/renal profile), identifying intestinal permeability used ELISA testing serum LPS, serum intestinal fatty acid binding protein (IFABP), serum Zonulin concentrations and fecal sample collection for gut microbiota profiling through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Data will be analyzed using SPSS version 26. DiscussionWe describe a clinical research protocol evaluating the impact of Jianpi Qinghua Decoction on gut microbiota and intestinal permeability in newly diagnosed T2DM patients. We assume that adminstration of Jianpi Qinghua Decoction will correct gut microbial dysbiosis and intestinal permeability, leading to improved glycemic control.Trial registrationChinese clinical trial registry, identifier: ChiCTR2000039423（http://www.chictr.org.cn/edit.aspx?pid=62537&htm=4.）.Registered on 27 October 2020.