Radiah Abdul Ghani

Antioxidant activity and phenolic profile of various morphological parts of underutilised Baccaurea angulata fruit.

Baccaurea angulata is an underutilised tropical fruit of Borneo Island of Malaysia. The effect of solvents was examined on yield, total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), total carotene content (TCC), free radical scavenging activities and lipid peroxidation inhibition activities. The results indicated that the pulp (edible portion) had the highest yield, while methanol extracts were significantly (p < 0.01) found to contain higher TPC, TFC and TCC than phosphate buffered saline (PBS) extracts for all the fruits parts. The methanol extracts also showed remarkable antiradical activity and significant lipid peroxidation inhibition activities, with their IC50 results highly comparable to that of commercial blueberry. The variations in the results among the extracts suggest different interactions, such as negative or antagonistic (interference), additive and synergistic effect interactions. The study indicated that B. angulata like other underutilised tropical fruits contained remarkable primary antioxidants. Thus, the fruit has the potential to be sources of antioxidant components.

The association of maternal diet and polyamines in human milk: a study among malay ethnic mothers in kuantan, malaysia

Human milk contains a lot of nutrient and it offers advantages to infant age less than six months. Polyamines in milk accelerate the in-fants’ gut maturation and protect babies from the harsh environment. Maternal diet is a factor which can affect the polyamines variability in milk. To date, no research on local diet and the composition of human milk has been investigated. This study aimed to identify an association between Malaysian maternal diet and composition of polyamines in human milk. Seventy nursing mothers were recruited in Pahang and each mother recorded their 24-hours food consumption within a week. Maternal diets were recorded in Nutritionist Pro-software and the macronutrients were calculated. Milk samples were collected from each mother after24 h of food diary. Polyamines in milk were extracted using 0.4 M Perchloric acid, dansylated and quantified using HPLC. The mean age of the respondent was 30.13 years [SD= 3.145].Nursing mothers consumed high carbohydrate [41.4%] compared to fat [23.1%] and protein [13.7%].Spermidine [49.1%] was the highest polyamines in the breast milk samples. A significant correlation were shown between putrescine and dietary carbohydrate [p=0.027] and putrescine and dietary protein [p=0.031].The maternal education levels has no association with maternal diet pattern and breastfeeding practice in this study [p=0.657]. It is suggested that polyamines composition in human milk may be modulated by carbohydrate and protein intake among maternal mother

Organic Arsenical Exposure Stimulates Atherosclerosis Through Oxidative Stress Increase and Adhesion Molecule Expression

Approximately 100 million people are exposed to arsenic worldwide, majorly through drinking water and anthropogenic activities. Monosodium methylarsonate (MSMA) is a potent organoarsenical content of herbicides used in many Asian countries. Epidemiological studies have linked inorganic arsenic exposure with atherosclerosis, whereas organoarsenicals toxicological studies are scanty. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) enzyme suppresses systemic Ox-LDL generation, thereby preventing atherosclerosis. We investigated effects of MSMA oral exposure on PON1, lipid peroxidation and atherosclerosis development. Five groups (n=11) of Sprague- Dawley rats received daily intubation of MSMA at 0 (control), 42.1, 63.2, 126.4 and 210.7 mg/kg BW respectively for 16 weeks. Serum samples were analysed for PON1 activities, Ox-LDL and MDA levels. Histomorphometric evaluation (H&E and VVG) and immunohistochemistry (VCAM-1 and ICAM-1) were done on aorta. High mortality rate led to discontinuation of 126.4 and 210.7 mg/kg BW treatment groups. Groups treated with 42.1 and 63.2 mg/kg B.W. MSMA had a significantly higher MDA (p=0.004,CI: 2.73-0.82) and Ox-LDL (p<0.0001,CI: 2425.07-955.45) levels but lower PON1:Ox-LDLratio (p<0.0001,CI: 0.49-1.07) compared to control. Microscopically, treatment groups showed early atherosclerotic intima thickening and positive VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expressions. In conclusion, chronic MSMA exposure reduced PON1 ability to hydrolyse Ox-LDL and also induced inflammation by elevating oxidative stress that supports early atherosclerosis development.