Rina Susilowati

The role of genes involved in lipolysis on weight loss program in overweight and obese individuals

The ability of obese people to reduce weight in the same treatment varied. Genetic make up as well as the behavioral changes are important for the successfulness of the program. One of the most proposed genetic variations that have been reported in many intervention studies was genes that control lipolysis process. This review summarizes studies that were done showing the influence of genetic polymorphisms in lipolysis pathway and weight loss in a weight loss treatment program. Some studies had shown that certain enzymes involved in this process were related to successfulness of weight loss program. Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) in PLIN (11482G>A) and ADRB3 (Trp64Arg) are the most studied polymorphisms that have effect on weight loss intervention. However, those studies were not conclusive because of limited number of subjects used and controversies in the results. Thus, replication and confirmation on the role of those genes in weight loss are important due to their potential to be used as predictors of the results of the program.

Gastroprotective effects of combination of hot water extracts of turmeric (Curcuma domestica L.), cardamom pods (Ammomum compactum S.) and sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera DC.) against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of the combination of turmeric (Curcuma domestica), cardamom pods (Amomum compactum) and sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) on gastric mucosa in aspirin-induced gastric ulcer model rats. METHODS Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 150-200 g were divided into 6 groups. Four groups were administered with the hot water extracts combination consisted of cardamom pods 36.6 mg/200 g body weight and sembung leaf 91.5 mg/200 g body weight (fixed doses). The herbal extracts combination were also consisted of turmeric in various doses i.e. 10 mg/200 g body weight in the second group, 30 mg/200 g body weight in the first and third groups, and 50 mg/200 g body weight in the fourth group. The fifth group rats received sucralfate 72 mg /200 g body weight. Ten minutes after receiving herbal extracts combinations or sucralfate, the rats were induced with aspirin 90 mg/200 g body weight except the first group. Another group (sixth group) only received aspirin without any protective agent. All treatments were adsministered orally for seven days. The number and area of the gastric ulcers were counted and measured macroscopically. Score of mucosal damage and the number of eosinophils as well as the number of mast cells were observed in paraffin sections stained with hematoxylin eosin and toluidine blue, respectively. RESULTS The groups receiving herbal infuse combination exhibited less number and smaller area of gastric ulcers as well as smaller score of mucosal damage in comparison to those of aspirin group (P<0.05). The number of mast cells and eosinophil of herbal groups were also smaller than that of aspirin group. CONCLUSIONS The herbal extracts combination of turmeric (Curcuma domestica), cardamom pods (Amomum compactum) and sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) has potential gastroprotective effects.

Curcumin alters motor coordination but not total number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum of adolescent male Wistar rats

OBJECTIVE The present study aimed at investigating the effects of curcumin on the motor coordination and the estimate of the total number of cerebellar Purkinje cells of adolescent Wistar rats exposed to ethanol. METHODS The total of 21 male Wistar rats aged 37 d old were divided into three groups, namely ethanol, ethanol-curcumin, and control groups. The ethanol group received 1.5 g/kg ethanol injected intraperitoneally and water given per oral; the ethanol-curcumin group received 1.5 g/kg ethanol injected intraperitoneally and curcumin extract given per oral; the control group received saline injection and oral water. The treatment was carried out daily for one month, after which the motor coordination performance of the rats was examined using revolving drum apparatus at test days 1, 8, and 15. The rats were finally sacrificed and the cerebellum of the rats was further processed for stereological analysis. The estimate of the total number of Purkinje cells was calculated using physical fractionator method. RESULTS The ethanol-curcumin group performed better than both ethanol and control groups in the motor coordination ability at day 8 of testing (P< 0.01). No Purkinje cell loss was observed as a result of one month intraperitoneal injection of ethanol. CONCLUSION Curcumin may exert beneficial effects on the motor coordination of adolescent rats exposed to ethanol via undetermined hormetic mechanisms.

Gastroprotective Effect of Combination of Hot Water Extracts of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari Stem Bark (Alyxia reinwardtii), and Sembung Leaf (Blumea balsamifera) Against Aspirin-Induced Gastric Ulcer Model Rats:

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari stem bark (Alyxia reinwardtii) and Sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) are traditionally used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate gastroprotective effect of hot water extracts combination of those herbal against aspirin-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. The combination consisted of fixed doses of Licorice 273 mg/kg BW and Sembung leaf 457.5 mg/kg BW, and also consisted of Pulasari stem in various doses i.e. 100 mg/kg BW (first group), 200 mg/kg BW (second and sixth group) and 300 mg/kg BW (third group). The fourth grup rats received sucralfate 360 mg/kg BW. Ten minute after seven consecutive days of drug administration, the rats were induced with aspirin 450 mg/kg BW except sixth group rats. The fifth group rats only received aspirin without any protective agents. The number and area of gastric ulcers were evaluated macroscopically. Whereas, histopatological observation was used for evaluation of mucosal damage score, and the number of eosinophils and mast cells. In the study, herbal extracts combination markedly exhibited protective effects indicated by less number and smaller area of gastric ulcers in comparison to those of aspirin group (P < 0.05). The score of mucosal damages were also decreased in herbal extracts combination groups. The number of eosinophils and mast cells of herbal combination groups were observed to be smaller than those of aspirin group (P < 0.05). In conclusion, herbal combination of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Pulasari stem bark (Alyxia reinwardtii) and Sembung leaf (Blumea balsamifera) is potential to develop as a gastroprotective agent.

Lesser yam (dioscorea esculenta) based cookies improves lipid profile in overweight/obese adults with an ad libitum diet via glucagon like peptide 1

Purpose This study aims to examine the effect of lesser yam-based cookies on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), blood glucose and lipid profile in overweight and obese individuals. Design/methodology/approach This was an experimental study on overweight or obese adults aged 21-50 years old. The intervention was done by giving 87g of cookies made with lesser yam flour in combination with wheat flour (80 and 20 per cent, respectively) for six weeks. Anthropometric measures, fasting plasma glucose, lipid and GLP-1 were measured before and after the intervention. Findings There were no changes in anthropometric measurements and glucose level after the intervention (p > 0.05). However, plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol decreased after the intervention (p = 0.033 and p = 0.035, respectively). Although fasting GLP-1 level (p = 0.121) was unchanged, we found that the slight changes in GLP-1 concentration was associated with changes in LDL and total cholesterol (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001, respectively). Originality/value The lesser yam-based cookies reduced fasting plasma LDL and total cholesterol, but not glucose level after six weeks of intervention. Additionally, reduction of LDL and total cholesterol level was negatively associated with the changes in GLP-1 level.

Gene-lifestyle interaction: The role of SNPs in UCP2 -866G/A and UCP3 -55C/T on dietary intake and physical activity in Indonesian obese female adolescents

BACKGROUND: Obesity is linked to high dietary intake and low physical activity. Studies showed that those factors were not only regulated by environment but also regulated by genetic variations. However, the relationship has less been understood in obese children and adolescents. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the role of SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) in uncoupling protein (UCP) 2 -866G/A and UCP3 -55C/T on dietary intake and physical activity in obese female adolescents. METHODS: This is an observational study with cross sectional design. Respondents were obese female adolescents enrolled from obesity screening done in six junior high schools in Yogyakarta. RESULTS: Seventy eight obese female adolescents joined this study. From 2 SNPs that have been analysed, we found that SNPs in UCP2 was associated with dietary intake and physical activity (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively). Interestingly, subjects with combination of UCP2 -866GG and UCP3 -55CC had slightly higher percent fat to total energy intake compared to those with UCP2 -866AA and UCP3 -55TT (mean difference = –3.8 ± 1.9; p = 0.059). CONCLUSION: We concluded that SNPs on UCP2 was related to dietary intake and physical activity in Indonesian obese female adolescents.

Prenatal hypoxia–ischemia decreases spatial memory and increases aggression during adolescence

Prenatal hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is a major cause of mortality and chronic neurological diseases in newborns. HI contributes to the emergence of several neurological disorders such as cognitive and behavioral deficits due to the atypical brain development. This study aimed at assessing the effects of prenatal HI on the spatial memory and aggression of rats during adolescence. Pregnant rats were divided into treatment and control groups. The rats of the treatment groups underwent unilateral ligation of the uterine artery on pregnancy day 7, 12, or 17. The offspring of these rats were tested for spatial memory and aggression when they reached 33 days of age. It has been found that the percentages of alternations in the Y-maze and the number of crossings in the Morris water maze tests of the HI groups were lower than those of the control groups. The total offense and defense aggression scores of the HI groups were higher than those of the control groups. In conclusion, the longer the duration of HI, the more deficits it causes in the spatial memory and aggression of rats during adolescence.

Effect of FTO rs9939609 variant on insulin resistance in obese female adolescents

ObjectivesFTO rs9939609 variant has been shown to be associated with insulin resistance in Caucasian children. However, studies in Asia show inconsistent findings. We investigated the association between FTO rs9939609 polymorphisms and insulin resistance in obese female adolescents in Indonesia, a genetically distinct group within Asia.ResultsA total of 78 obese female adolescents participated in this study. The risk allele (A) frequency of FTO rs9939609 variant in Indonesian obese female adolescence was 44.2%. The frequency of insulin resistance was higher in the subjects with AA (54.6%) or AT (59.6%) than the subject with TT genotype (50%), but did not statistically different (p = 0.81 and p = 0.47, respectively). The insulin resistance rate was also higher in the risk allele (A) than the non-risk allele (T) subjects (0.58 vs. 0.55), but did not statistically different (p = 0.75). There was no association between FTO rs9939609 variant and body mass index, fasting glucose level, fasting insulin level, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and waist circumference (p > 0.05). In conclusion, FTO rs9939609 variant may not be associated with insulin resistance in Indonesian obese female adolescents. A multicenter study with a larger sample size is needed to clarify these findings.

Sexual dimorphism in interleukin 17A and adipocytokines and their association with insulin resistance among obese adolescents in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin 17A (IL-17), leptin, and adiponectin have been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Moreover, differences in sex and ethnicity as well as plasma concentration of adipocytokines and cytokines have been associated with the risk of insulin resistance. This study was conducted to elucidate whether sex differences exist in the risk of insulin resistance in Indonesian adolescents and to determine how plasma leptin, adiponectin, and IL-17 predict insulin resistance. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN The study participants were 69 obese-overweight boys, 53 obese-overweight girls, 59 non-obese boys, and 50 non-obese girls aged 15-18 years. Insulin resistance was determined using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index. Plasma IL-17, leptin, and adiponectin were measured using ELISA. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and linear regression analysis. Odd ratios [ORs; 95% confidence intervals (CIs)] were analysed to estimate the risk of insulin resistance; the significance level was set at 95%. RESULT The OR (95% CI) for insulin resistance was higher in obese-overweight boys than in obese-overweight girls. The plasma IL-17 was higher in boys, whereas plasma adiponectin and leptin were significantly higher in girls. In all participants, obesity status and plasma leptin were the most efficient predictors of insulin resistance, whereas the IL-17 could not significantly predict insulin resistance. CONCLUSION Sexual dimorphism exists in IL17 as well as leptin and adiponectin in adolescents. Plasma IL-17 cannot be used to predict insulin resistance in adolescents of both sex.

Association between insulin resistance with UCP2 -866G/A, UCP2 45BP INS/DEL, UCP3 -55C/T, GHSR1A RS2922126, GHSR1A RS509035 and PRO12ALA PPARΓ2 gene polymorphisms in obese female adolescents in Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Methods Screening for obesity using CDC 2000 criteria was done in 2121 female adolescents aged 13-14 years old in Yogyakarta. BMI > 95 percentile was considered as obese. Among the obese subjects, 78 agreed to be enrolled for this study. HOMA-IR > 3.16 was used to determine the insulin resistance status. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood and UCP2 -866 G/A, UCP3 -55C/T, GHSR1a rs2922126, GHSR1a rs509035 and Pro12Ala PPARg2 genotypes were analyzed by PCRRFLP. UCP2 45bp ins/del genotype was analyzed by PCR.