Tocotrienol rich fraction supplementation improved lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older adults: A randomized controlled study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Vitamin E supplements containing tocotrienols are now being recommended for optimum health but its effects are scarcely known. The objective was to determine the effects of Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) supplementation on lipid profile and oxidative status in healthy older individuals at a dose of 160 mg/day for 6 months.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Sixty-two subjects were recruited from two age groups: 35-49 years (n = 31) and above 50 years (n = 31), and randomly assigned to receive either TRF or placebo capsules for six months. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 3^rdand 6^thmonths.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>HDL-cholesterol in the TRF-supplemented group was elevated after 6 months (p < 0.01). Protein carbonyl contents were markedly decreased (p < 0.001), whereas AGE levels were lowered in the > 50 year-old group (p < 0.05). Plasma levels of total vitamin E particularly tocopherols were significantly increased in the TRF-supplemented group after 3 months (p < 0.01). Plasma total tocotrienols were only increased in the > 50 year-old group after receiving 6 months of TRF supplementation. Changes in enzyme activities were only observed in the > 50 year-old group. SOD activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.05) and 6 (p < 0.05) months of TRF supplementation whereas CAT activity was decreased after 3 (p < 0.01) and 6 (p < 0.05) months in the placebo group. GPx activity was increased at 6 months for both treatment and placebo groups (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The observed improvement of plasma cholesterol, AGE and antioxidant vitamin levels as well as the reduced protein damage may indicate a restoration of redox balance after TRF supplementation, particularly in individuals over 50 years of age.</p

Effect of Exercise Intensity on Antioxidant Enzymatic Activities in Sedentary Adults

This study was designed to investigate the influence of relative exercise intensity on antioxidant enzymatic activities in sedentary healthy adults after cycling at different exercise intensity (50%VO2max, 60%VO2max and 70%VO2max) for 10 minutes. Venous blood were collected pre- and immediately post-exercise from 24 sedentary healthy adults (mean age= 20.83 ± 2.32 years, VO2max =2.15 ± 0.36 liter/min, BMI= 21.01 ± 4.27 kg/m2). Erythrocyte enzymes, i.e catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured as indirect measures of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. (Subject cycled on the cycle ergometer with the estimated workload that corresponds to the measured maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) that assigned or given to exercise intensity at the speed of 50 to 60 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 10 minutes.) Heart rate (HR) and VO2 were monitored every minute during exercise test to ensure the subject was exercising at the relative exercise intensity given. Data were analysed with repeated measured ANOVA and paired t-tests. SOD increased significantly (p<0.05) by 25.3%, 55.8%, and 49.6% immediately post-exercise at 50%VO2max, 60%VO2max and 70%VO2max respectively, with a significant exercise intensity effect. On the other hand, 24.1% increment in CAT activity at 50%VO2max, and 38.1% and 10.0% decrement at 60%VO2max and 70%VO2max were also significantly affected by exercise intensity (p<0.05). No significant changes in GPx activity were noted. These data suggested that ROS such as superoxide anions (O2 -), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and hydroxyl radicals (OH-) production increased as the exercise intensity increased. The changes in SOD, CAT and GPx activity were closely related to exercise intensity. The decrement observed in CAT and GPx activity levels would indicate the presence of oxidative stress

Antihypertensive effect of Piper sarmentosum in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Hypertension is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and has been associated with about 13% of global deaths worldwide. Oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction and subsequently hypertension. Nɷ-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) inhibits NO synthesis; leading to hypertension. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is an herb with antioxidant, antiatherosclerosis and antiinflammation properties. PS also stimulated NO production by endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum (AEPS) on blood pressure, oxidative stress and the level of nitric oxide in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced by oral administration of L-NAME (100 mg/L) in drinking water for four weeks. The rats were concurrently treated with AEPS by oral gavage in serial doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day). Blood pressure was measured using non-invasive tail-cuff method at baseline and fortnightly thereafter. Serum level of NO and an oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at baseline and at the end of treatment. The results showed that treatment with three different doses of AEPS successfully reduced systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and mean arterial pressure (p<0.05) in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Treatment with AEPS also reduced MDA level (p<0.001) and increased serum NO (p<0.001) in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. The findings showed that AEPS decreased blood pressure by protecting against oxidative stress and increasing NO in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Antihypertensive effect of Piper sarmentosum in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Hypertension is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and has been associated with about 13% of global deaths worldwide. Oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction and subsequently hypertension. Nɷ-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) inhibits NO synthesis; leading to hypertension. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is an herb with antioxidant, antiatherosclerosis and antiinflammation properties. PS also stimulated NO production by endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum (AEPS) on blood pressure, oxidative stress and the level of nitric oxide in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced by oral administration of L-NAME (100 mg/L) in drinking water for four weeks. The rats were concurrently treated with AEPS by oral gavage in serial doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day). Blood pressure was measured using non-invasive tail-cuff method at baseline and fortnightly thereafter. Serum level of NO and an oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at baseline and at the end of treatment. The results showed that treatment with three different doses of AEPS successfully reduced systolic blood pressure (p<0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and mean arterial pressure (p<0.05) in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Treatment with AEPS also reduced MDA level (p<0.001) and increased serum NO (p<0.001) in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. The findings showed that AEPS decreased blood pressure by protecting against oxidative stress and increasing NO in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats

Thermal insulation properties of organic and inorganic material in clay brick - a review

Pore forming agent is widely used in clay brick making process whether originally organics or inorganics materials which can improve thermal insulation facing global warming issue. Many researchers trigged to discover the thermal insulation materials since the past decade due to responsibility to develop a comfort living demand for heating or cooling. This paper review on different types of thermal inorganic and organic insulation materials added into a clay brick to improve the thermal insulation properties. The scope of these reviews lies to the materials of; paper residue, rice husk, rice husk ash, olive stone flour, wheat straw, perlite, cigarette butt, vermiculite, waste marble powder and waste glass sludge. The discussions are made based on the properties of organic and inorganic materials used in improving the thermal insulation in clay brick. Hence, a throughout review of the composition and properties of brick and various factor related to manufacturing process is highly required for better standardization of clay bricks. A better understanding of different wastes incorporating clay brick utilize of various mining and industrial as well as achieving the goal of sustainable development

Effects of 12-Week Rowing Training on Resting Cardiac Output, Stroke Volume, and Heart Rate of Stroke Survivors

Rowing exercise is one of the cardiorespiratory exercises that induce higher aerobic capacity. Cardiorespiratory parameters, cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), and heart rate (HR) are indicators to measure one’s cardiorespiratory fitness. The aim was to study the effects of 12-week rowing training on resting cardiac output (RCO), resting stroke volume (RSV), and resting heart rate (RHR) of stroke survivors. Ten stroke survivors (6 males; 4 females), mean age of 43.6 ± 16.15 years, were subjected to a 12-week rowing training (Concept II Rowing Ergometer, Model C, USA). An individualised programme was prescribed based on %HRR for each of stroke individual. Rowing training was conductedtwice per week (12 HIIT; 12 MR). Paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA (RPM ANOVA) were used for statistical analyses using IBM® SPSS® Statistics 20 software. RPM ANOVA analysis showed no significant effect on RCO [F (5, 45) = 1.066, p = 0.392, RSV [F (2.188, 19.693) = 0.677, p = 0.532)], and RHR [F (5, 45) = 0.856, p = 0.518]. Paired t-test showed no significant difference between pre- and post-test despite the improved values of Mean ± Standard Deviation (RCO: 8129.50 ± 3916.31 to 8494.18 ± 6248.86 mL/min; RSV: 99.27 ± 33.98 to 121.84 ± 66.24 mL; RHR: 78.02 ± 17.39 to 77.17 ± 11.98 bpm) for all respective parameters. Twelve weeks rowing training did not improve resting cardiorespiratory parameters of stroke survivors statistically. Future studies are suggested to include gender difference and medication effect variables

L2 learning challenges and needs of university students: a preliminary study

Technology demands individuals to be knowledgeable in another language, in particular the English language. Learning a second language (L2) is one of the significant experiences encountered by a student in an institution of higher learning. Some L2 acquirers would be more successful than others in acquiring another language. University students need a good knowledge of the English language to access the globalized world technologically. An investigation was conducted to examine the challenges, needs, attitudes and beliefs about English language learning held by university students in Malaysia. The subjects exhibited somewhat differing responses with respect to L2 learning perceptions of experiences. The paper also addressed the practical implications of the results

<i>Piper sarmentosum</i> Roxb. Inhibits Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Activity in Phorbol 12-Myristate-13-Acetate-Induced Endothelial Cells

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Piper sarmentosum Roxb., an herb known for its antihypertensive effect, lacks a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism underlying its antihypertensive action. This study aimed to elucidate the antihypertensive mechanism of aqueous extract of P. sarmentosum leaves (AEPS) via its modulation of the ACE pathway in phorbol 12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVECs were divided into five groups: control, treatment with 200 µg/mL AEPS, induction 200 nM PMA, concomitant treatment with 200 nM PMA and 200 µg/mL AEPS, and treatment with 200 nM PMA and 0.06 μM captopril. Subsequently, ACE mRNA expression, protein level and activity, angiotensin II (Ang II) levels, and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) mRNA expression in HUVECs were determined. AEPS successfully inhibited ACE mRNA expression, protein and activity, and angiotensin II levels in PMA-induced HUVECs. Additionally, AT1R expression was downregulated, whereas AT2R expression was upregulated. In conclusion, AEPS reduces the levels of ACE mRNA, protein and activity, Ang II, and AT1R expression in PMA-induced HUVECs. Thus, AEPS has the potential to be developed as an ACE inhibitor in the future