Establishment and evaluation of a Qi Yin deficiency syndrome model of type 2 diabetes in Guizhou miniature pigs
Objective To explore the construction method,evaluation system,and related indicators of the Qi Yin deficiency syndrome model of type 2 diabetes(T2DM)in Guizhou miniature pigs.Methods Twenty-six 6-month-old Guizhou miniature pigs were divided into 2 groups:pigs fed a basic diet for 10 months(normal group,n=6),and pigs fed a high-sugar,high-fat diet for 10 months followed by Qingpi Fuzi decoction for 3 months(Qi Yin deficiency in T2DM model group,n=20).Qi Yin deficiency in the T2DM model was created in Guizhou miniature pigs.Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types were evaluated using five scales,including urination,defecation,movement and mental state,response to the surrounding environment,and color of the skin,hair,and nasal disc.Serum CD4+and CD8+and their ratios,cAMP and cGMP and their ratios,as well as tongue RGB color values were used to evaluate Qi Yin deficiency syndrome.Fasting blood glucose(FBG),glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),glucose tolerance test(OGTT),homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C),prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),and other indicators were used to evaluate T2DM.Results Physically,the model group pigs were overweight and showed fatigue,with a tendency to lie down,lethargy,overeating and drinking,and dull fur.The defecation,movement and mental state,response to the surrounding environment,and color of the skin,fur,and nasal disc scores were relatively low(P<0.05).The tongue appeared red with no or little coating.Pigs in the model group showed significantly lower of FBG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TC,LDL-C,cAMP,and cGMP,compared with the normal group.The RGB values of the tongue images were significantly reduced.The PT,APTT,CD4+,and CD4+/CD8+values were also significantly reduced,and TG,HDL-C,and cGMP were all elevated(all P>0.05).Pathological staining showed destruction of pancreatic tissue.Conclusions The method of using a high-sugar and high-fat diet combined with traditional Chinese medicine for breaking Qi and damaging Yin can be used to establish a small pig model of T2DM with Qi Yin deficiency.The established model shows the main symptoms of fatigue,thirst,shortness of breath and lethargy,redness and dryness of the tongue,lack of coating on the tongue,and a weak pulse in traditional Chinese medicine syndromes,as well as concurrent symptoms including yellow and transparent urine,dry stools,slow response,curling up,dull fur,and a gray and dull nasal disc,as well as clinical manifestations of abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance.