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Xiao Ke Qing improves glycometabolism and ameliorates insulin resistance by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway in KKAy mice

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Abstract

Xiao Ke Qing (XKQ) granule has been clinically used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) for 10 years in Chinese traditional medication. However, its mechanisms against hyperglycemia remain poorly understood. This study aims to investigate XKQ mechanisms on diabetes and diabetic liver disease by using the KKAy mice model. Our results indicate that XKQ can significantly reduce food and water intake. XKQ treatment also remarkably decreases both the fasting blood glucose and blood glucose in the oral glucose tolerance test. Additionally, XKQ can significantly decrease the serum alanine aminotransferase level and liver index and can alleviate the fat degeneration in liver tissues. Moreover, XKQ can ameliorate insulin resistance and upregulate the expression of IRS-1, PI3K (p85), p-Akt, and GLUT4 in the skeletal muscle of KKAy mice. XKQ is an effective drug for T2DM by ameliorating insulin resistance and regulating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in the skeletal muscle.

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Acknowledgements

This study was financially supported by the National Key Special Project of Science and Technology for Innovation Drugs of China (No. 2013zx09402202).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tasly Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tianjin, 300410, China

    Xiaoqing Li, Xinxin Li, Genbei Wang, Yan Xu, Yuanyuan Wang, Ruijia Hao & Xiaohui Ma

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  1. Xiaoqing Li
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  2. Xinxin Li
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  3. Genbei Wang
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  4. Yan Xu
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  5. Yuanyuan Wang
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  6. Ruijia Hao
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  7. Xiaohui Ma
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Correspondence to Xinxin Li.

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Li, X., Li, X., Wang, G. et al. Xiao Ke Qing improves glycometabolism and ameliorates insulin resistance by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway in KKAy mice. Front. Med. 12, 688–696 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-018-0662-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11684-018-0662-8

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