Indwiani Astuti

The Administration to Indonesians of Monosodium l-Glutamate in Indonesian Foods: An Assessment of Adverse Reactions in a Randomized Double-Blind, Crossover, Placebo-Controlled Study

Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) has been suggested to cause postprandial symptoms after the ingestion of Chinese or oriental meals. Therefore, we examined whether such symptoms could be elicited in Indonesians ingesting levels of MSG typically found in Indonesian cuisine. Healthy volunteers (n = 52) were treated with capsules of placebo or MSG (1.5 and 3.0 g/person) as part of a standardized Indonesian breakfast. The study used a rigorous, randomized, double-blind, crossover design. The occurrence of symptoms after MSG ingestion did not differ from that after consumption of the placebo.

Comparison of serum C3 complement levels between young women with recurrent urinary tract infection and healthy women

Abstract Background C3 complement plays a pivotal role in the complement cascade, subserves several critical functions in human immune response and enhancing bacterial killing and its levels correlate with infectious diseases. However, the association of C3 with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI) is still debatable. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of serum C3 levels and recurrent UTI among young women. Materials and methods Thirty-four recurrent UTI patients whose diagnosed based on Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada and European Association of Urology criteria and 34 healthy young women, aged 15–50 years old, were included in this study. Risk factors and clinical manifestations were evaluated and serum C3 levels were measured by ELISA. Correlations of risk factors, clinical manifestation and C3 levels with recurrent UTI were analyzed with chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test or t-test as appropriate with data. Results This study found that some risk factors (age [p = 0.000], sexual intercourse frequency [p = 0.00], marital status [p = 0.000] and intrauterine device contraception [p = 0.000]) and clinical manifestations (fever [p = 0.000], dysuria [p = 0.000], frequent urination [p = 0.000], supra-pubic discomfort [p = 0.000] and flank pain [p = 0.006]) were correlated with recurrent UTI. Although this study found that serum C3 levels were significantly different between recurrent UTI patients and healthy young women group (mean 42.08 μg/ml ± 1.20 vs 42.75 μg/ml ± 0.71, p = 0.008), this difference is not clinically relevant. Conclusion In this study setting, the levels of C3 among young women with recurrent UTI were lower than healthy women but were not significant clinically.

The Prevalence of CYP2B6 Gene Polymorphisms in Malaria-endemic Population of Timor in East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia

Objectives The CYP2B6 is one of the most polymorphic CYP genes in humans that has the potential to modify the pharmacological and toxicological responses to clinically important drugs such as antimalarial artemisinin and its derivatives. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of CYP2B6 polymorphisms in Timor malaria endemic area, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia where Artemisin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) has been used to treat uncomplicated malaria. Methods A total of 109 healthy subjects were participated in this study. CYP2B6*4, *6 and *9 polymorphisms were analyzed using PCR-RFLP to confirm the SNPs prevalence of 516G>T and 785A>G in exon 4 and 5. Results There were 96 subjects included in the analysis. In the exon 4 of CYP2B6 516G>T, the frequency of the T mutation was 37.5% (39/96), and the wildtype 27.1% (26/96). In the exon 5, CYP2B6 785A>G mutant was detected in 29.2% (28/96) of individuals, and the wildtype allele in 35.4% (34/96). The frequency of CYP2B6*9 (516G>T), CYP2B6*4 (785A>G) and CYP2B6*6 (516G>T and 785A>G) were 40.6%, 29.2% and 22.9%, respectively. The prevalence of these CYP2B6 gene polymorphisms in Timorian ethnic were higher than that in Malay, Han Chinese, Indian, and Egyptian populations. Conclusion The prevalence of these CYP2B6 516G>T and 785A>G polymorphisms in Timorian ethnic is higher than that in other populations. These polymorphisms may affect the metabolism of artemisinin and its derivatives.

The Effectiveness of Mollusk Sand Filtration and Absorption of Active Carbon to Decrease Pb, Turbidity and pH in Rain Water and Its Correlation to Public Health in Pontianak

Pb found in rain water is not only caused by tin roof on houses but also caused by the pollution of industrial activities, vehicles and land clearing activity by fire. Pb pollutant dissolves and enters into rain water storages and it’s consumed as drinking. Pb can cause bad impact to human, for example disruption of enzyme, anemia and low intelligence. The purposes of this research are (1) to evaluate Pb, pH and turbidity level in rain water, (2) to analyze the effectiveness of mollusk sand filtration and the absorption of activity carbon to decrease Pb, turbidity and pH, and (3) to analyze the correlation of Pb, length of stay and smoking habit on public health. This research is an experimental by using pre and post test designs with control and observational by using cross sectional design. The research was conducted in urban and rural areas of Pontianak and Kubu Raya regency. The sampling was done in determining the number of samples of Pb, pH and turbidity in rain water. The analyzing the data by using computer program. The results show that: (1) the average of Pb, pH and turbidity level before treatment is considered high at 131.7 μg/L on Pb, turbidity at 20 NTU and low pH at 5.2. After the treatment was the Pb has decreased to 0.71 μg/L and turbidity has to 5.66 NTU, pH to 6.9 and (2) Rain water treatment is very effective to decrease Pb for 99.4% and turbidity for 72%, and (3) there is a correlation among Pb found in rain water, length of stay and smoking activity to public health. Recommends that: the residents of Pontianak and Kubu Raya to process rain water before consuming. The rain water treatment can be done by applying mollusk sand filtration and absorption of active carbon.

The role of insulin receptor substrate 1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg as a risk factor for ischemic stroke among Indonesian subjects

ObjectiveThe identification of new genetic-associated risk factor of ischemic stroke could improves strategies for stroke prevention. This study aims to identify insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1) gene polymorphism Gly972Arg as the risk factor for ischemic stroke among Indonesian subjects. The case–control study was conducted by matching the gender and race on 85 cases of patients with ischemic stroke and 86 healthy non-stroke control subjects. Ischemic stroke was established by the complete neurology examination and brain computed tomography scan or magnetic resonance imaging. Polymerase chain reaction–Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism was performed to analyze IRS-1 gene Gly972Arg genotype.ResultsThere were 85 ischemic stroke cases and 86 control subjects. The distribution of nucleotide IRS-1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg in the ischemic stroke vs health controls for GG were 32.2% vs 41.5%, for GR were 16% vs 7.6%, and for RR were 0.5% vs 1.9%. IRS-1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg was found as significant risk factor for ischemic stroke [odds ratio of 2.6 (1.27–5.27); CI 95%, p = 0.008]. Conclusively, the IRS-1 gene polymorphism Gly972Arg should be considered as an important factor in the prevention and treatment of ischemic stroke.