Short-Term Intake of Yellowstripe Scad versus Salmon Did Not Induce Similar Effects on Lipid Profile and Inflammatory Markers among Healthy Overweight Adults despite Their Comparable EPA+DHA Content.

Yellowstripe scad (YSS) have comparable eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (EPA+DHA) content to salmon. We aimed to compare the effects of YSS and salmon on lipid profile and inflammatory markers. A randomized crossover trial with two diet periods was conducted among healthy overweight (with BMI 23.0-27.4 kg/m2) Malaysian adults aged 21-55 years. Steamed whole YSS fish (≈385 g whole fish/day) or salmon fillets (≈246 g fillet/day) were given for eight weeks (3 days per week), retaining approximately 1000 mg EPA+DHA per day. Diets were switched after an 8-week washout period. Fasting blood samples were collected before and after each diet period. A total of 49 subjects participated in the intervention (35% male and 65% female; mean age 29 (7) years). YSS did not induce any significant changes in outcome measures. However, the consumption of salmon as compared with YSS was associated with reduction in triglycerides (between-group difference: -0.09 mmol/1, p = 0.01), VLDL-cholesterol (between-group difference: -0.04 mmol/1, p = 0.01), atherogenic index of plasma (between-group difference: -0.05 mmol/1, p = 0.006), and IL-6 (between-group difference: -0.01 pg/mL, p = 0.03). Despite their comparable EPA+DHA content, short-term consumption of salmon but not YSS induced significant changes in lipid profile and inflammatory markers. Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings.

Endothelial Dysfunction in Obesity-Induced Inflammation: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications.

Obesity is characterized by the excessive deposition of fat that may interfere with the normal metabolic process of the body. It is a chronic condition associated with various metabolic syndromes, whose prevalence is grossly increasing, and affects both children and adults. Accumulation of excessive macronutrients on the adipose tissues promotes the secretion and release of inflammatory mediators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin 1ß, tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α), leptin, and stimulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), which subsequently reduce the production of adiponectin thereby initiating a proinflammatory state. During obesity, adipose tissue synthesizes and releases a large number of hormones and cytokines that alter the metabolic processes, with a profound influence on endothelial dysfunction, a situation associated with the formation of atherosclerotic plaque. Endothelial cells respond to inflammation and stimulation of MCP-1, which is described as the activation of adhesion molecules leading to proliferation and transmigration of leukocytes, which facilitates their increase in atherogenic and thromboembolic potentials. Endothelial dysfunction forms the cornerstone of this discussion, as it has been considered as the initiator in the progression of cardiovascular diseases in obesity. Overexpression of proinflammatory cytokines with subsequent reduction of anti-inflammatory markers in obesity, is considered to be the link between obesity-induced inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. Inhibition of inflammatory mechanisms and management and control of obesity can assist in reducing the risks associated with cardiovascular complications.

In Vitro Antiplasmodium and Chloroquine Resistance Reversal Effects of Andrographolide.

The emergence of drug-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum is the worst catastrophe that has ever confronted the dedicated efforts to eradicate malaria. This urged for searching other alternatives or sensitizers that reverse chloroquine resistance. In this experiment, the potential of andrographolide to inhibit plasmodial growth and reverse CQ resistance was tested in vitro using the SYBRE green-1-based drug sensitivity assay and isobologram technique, respectively. Its safety level toward mammalian cells was screened as well against Vero cells and RBCs using MTT-based drug sensitivity and RBC hemolysis assays, respectively. Its effect against hemozoin formation was screened using ß-hematin formation and heme fractionation assays. Its molecular characters were determined using the conventional tests for the antioxidant effect measurement and the in silico molecular characterization using the online free chemi-informatic Molinspiration software. Results showed that andrographolide has a moderate antiplasmodium effect that does not entitle it to be a substituent for chloroquine. Furthermore, andrographolide ameliorated the sensitivity of the parasite to chloroquine. Besides, it showed an indirect inhibitory effect against hemozoin formation within the parasite and augmented the chloroquine-induced inhibition of hemozoin formation. The study suggests that its chloroquine resistance reversal effect may be due to inhibition of chloroquine accumulation or due to its impact on the biological activity of the parasite. Overall, this in vitro study is a clue for the reliability of andrographolide to be added with chloroquine for reversal of chloroquine resistance and tolerance, but further in vivo studies are recommended to confirm this notion. In spite of its prominent and safe in vitro and in vivo growth inhibitory effect and its in vitro chloroquine resistance reversing effect, it is inapplicable to implement it in malaria chemotherapy to substitute chloroquine or to reverse its resistance.

Candida isolates from pregnant women and their antifungal susceptibility in a Malaysian tertiary-care hospital.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnant women are susceptible to vaginal colonization and infection by yeast. The purpose of the study was to determine the prevalence of Candida spp in high vaginal swabs of pregnant women and their antifungal susceptibility. METHODS: High vaginal swab samples received from Serdang Hospital, Selangor, Malaysia during 2011 initially had microscopic examination, Gram-staining and fungal culture. These were finally confirmed by growth in chromogenic medium (CHROMagarCandida; Difco BBL, USA) and commercial biochemical identification kit (API 20C AUX; bioMérieux, Lyon, France). Antifungal susceptibility was performed by E-test method. RESULTS: Out of 1163 specimens 200 (17.2%) candida spp were confirmed from high vaginal swabs of pregnant women. Candida albicans (83.5%) is the most common species detected followed by Candida glabrata (16%) and Candida famata (0.05%). All C. albicans and C.famata isolates were susceptible to fluconazole while C.glabrata isolates were dose dependent susceptibility. First and second trimester, and diabetes were considered significant factors in patients for the vaginal candidiasis (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In pregnant women, C. albicans was the frequently isolated yeast from high vaginal swabs. Routine screening and treatment are important of pregnant women regardless of symptoms.

EVALUATION OF RED BLOOD CELL INDICES RELATED DISORDERS AMONG ELIGIBLE BLOOD DONORS AT THE UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA (UPM).

Pre-donation screening declarations and hemoglobin (Hb) testing are measures used to determine the quality of donated blood. The copper sulphate (CuSo4) method used to screen for blood abnormalities can give inaccurate results if strict quality control is not applied. Blood donors who are carriers of thalassemia and those with mild iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are usually asymptomatic and frequently missed at blood donation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the red blood cell (RBC) indices related disorders among blood donors who were deemed qualified to donate blood after screening with CuSo4 method. One hundred fifty-eight volunteer blood donors at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), who had passed the CuSo4 screening method, were recruited for this study. Their bloods specimens were examined with a complete blood count. Subjects with a low mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) level were examined further by checking a serum ferritin level, Hb quantification, and molecular analysis to examine for common RBC disorders. Fourteen point six percent of subjects had a low Hb level, two (1.3%) had IDA and four (2.5%) had thalassemia or some other hemoglobinopathy. Using a MCH level < 27 pg as a cut-off point, 58 subjects (36.7%) had suspected IDA, thalassemia or some other hemoglobinopathy. Eight point nine percent of subjects with a normal Hb level had thalassemia, and 3.8% had IDA. Malaysia has a high prevalence of thalassemia and other hemoglobinopathies. Pre-donation accurate screening is crucial to protect the quality of blood transfusion products. Public education regarding RBC disorders especially among blood donors is important.