Effects of fatty acids on inflammatory markers studied in vivo and in vitro

Inflammation involves interactions amongst many different cell types as a defense mechanism of the body. Inflammation is also involved in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The role of long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) in modulating the inflammatory response has been proposed. The aim of these studies is to investigate the effects of modest intakes of n-3 PUFAs on CVD risk factors especially inflammatory markers, including soluble adhesion molecules, in adult humans with and without CVD and to identify the effects of selected fatty acids, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on inflammatory responses, especially adhesion molecule expression in cultured human endothelial cells of different origin (fetal vs. adults; vein vs. artery).In the first in vivo study, healthy middle-aged men aged 35-60 years were randomized to 1.8 g/d EPA plus 0.23 g/d DHA (n = 9) or placebo oil (2.6 g/day medium-chain saturated fatty acids; n = 11) for 8 weeks. In a second in vivo study, patients awaiting carotid endarterectomy were randomised to 0.8 g/d EPA plus 0.67 g/d DHA (Omacor; n = 47) or olive oil (n = 53) as placebo for between 7 and 102 days until surgery. Supplementation with fish oil in healthy men resulted in a 363% increase in EPA and only a 13% increase in DHA in plasma phosphatidylcholine (PC). On the other hand, Omacor supplementation resulted in significantly increased EPA and DHA in plasma PC by 161% and 70%, respectively. In healthy subjects, there was very little effect of n-3 fatty acids on the risk factors measured (lipid profiles and inflammatory markers), apart from a reduction in plasma soluble intercellular molecule-1 (sICAM-1) concentration compared with placebo (P = 0.05). The change in plasma sICAM-1 concentration was significantly inversely associated with the change in DHA in plasma PC (r = -0.675; P = 0.001). Supplementation with Omacor, however, significantly decreased total plasma cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TAG) and LDL-cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.001) by 13%, 14%, and 5% respectively. In terms of inflammatory markers, supplementation with Omacor significantly decreased sE-selectin by 23% (P = 0.006) and sVCAM-1 by 25% (P < 0.0001), and had no significant effects on other plasma inflammatory markers including sICAM-1 even though trends toward decreases in these markers were observed. This study suggests some anti-inflammatory actions of moderate dose of Omacor in carotid endarterectomy patients. Based on correlation analysis between mRNA expression of inflammatory markers in plaque and plasma concentrations, it seems that soluble inflammatory markers cannot be used to reflect the expression of these molecules at the cell surface, i.e. in the vasculature or in the plaque.In the in vitro experiments the inflammatory stimulus lipopolysaccharide (LPS) up-regulated all three adhesion molecules studied at the protein (as assessed by ELISA) and the mRNA (as assessed by reverse transcription and real-time PCR) levels. VCAM-1 was affected by fatty acids to a greater extent than ICAM-1 or E-selectin. Amongst the fatty acids, DHA has the greatest and the most consistent effects on adhesion molecule protein expression. EPA was also a potent fatty acid inhibitor of adhesion molecule expression at the mRNA level. Some effects of stearic, oleic and arachidonic acids on adhesion molecules were also seen. The effects of fatty acids on the adhesion molecule expression were fatty acid, adhesion molecule and endothelial cell specific. The inhibitory effects of fatty acids were more pronounced in vein endothelial cells than arterial endothelial cells. The precise underlying mechanism on how fatty acids affect adhesion molecule expression remains to be clarified

Chemical composition and potential adulterants in coconut milk sold in Kuala Lumpur

The purpose of this study was to determine the chemical composition of six fresh coconut milk samples sold in Kuala Lumpur and to compare the results of chemical composition with pure coconut milk as reference using Malaysia Food Composition, USDA Fresh Coconut Milk Composition and USDA Canned Coconut Milk Composition. The possible source of adulterants that might present in coconut milk was also studied. Two fresh coconut milk samples from Pasar Imbi and Giant Cheras was anticipated to be adulterated with water and a source of carbohydrate in order to thicken the coconut milk. The protein content of fresh coconut milk sample from Pasar Imbi and Giant Cheras was 79.05% and 80.95%, respectively, lower compared to the reference, while the fat content was 53.38% and 60.96% lower compared to the value of the reference. However, the carbohydrate was 16.37% and 5.75%, while the moisture content was 12.84% and 25.77% higher compared to the value of the reference. From these two potentially adulterated coconut milk samples, only coconut milk from Pasar Imbi shown carbohydrate (corn flour) and water peaks of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. The spectra of fresh coconut milk adulterated with different concentration of corn flour were scanned and interpreted. Partial Least Square (PLS) regression was used to quantitatively determine the concentration of corn flour in the coconut milk. The linear equation of the validation obtained was y = 0.9161x + 0.3334 with R2= 0.9982 and RMSEC= 0.688. This can be suggested that FTIR could be a potential tool in determining the coconut milk adulteration with corn flour for future study

Assessment of health and nutritional status of lipid lowering supplement users in Kuala Lumpur

The nutritional and health status of dietary supplements users have been widely studied in other countries. However, few studies have examined lipid-lowering supplements users in Malaysia. Findings are inconsistent concerning the effectiveness of lipid-lowering supplements on cholesterol levels. Hence, this study was aimed to determine the health (physical, mental and social levels) and nutritional status (BMI, blood pressure and lipid profile) of lipid lowering supplement users. A cross sectional study of one hundred lipid lowering supplement subjects was conducted; body weight, height, blood pressure and lipid profile were measured. The results found that majority of the supplement users had normal physical, mental, and social health levels and normal level of lipid profiles, except for HDL-c and LDL-c than the non-users. Results also show an association (p<0.005) between lipid lowering groups (fish oil and flaxseed oil, soluble fiber and phytosterol) and body fat percentage (p=0.002). These findings suggest that in general lipid lowering supplements may have beneficial influence on the mental and social health status, and nutritional status (i.e. TC and TG, blood pressure, body fat percentage)

Adverse reactions to foods (ARFS) in children: parental knowledge, awareness and behaviour

This study aimed to assess parental knowledge, awareness and behaviour on Adverse Reactions to Foods (ARF) and its relation to family’s quality of life. In this cross-sectional study, 120 parents of children with documented ARFs in Selangor were recruited. Of these parents, 63.3% and 50.8% exhibited low levels of knowledge and awareness of ARFs, respectively. In terms of dietary practices, 31.7% avoided possible allergenic foods during pregnancy. The study found that 66.7% of children followed the childhood immunization schedule and 32.5% had symptomatic ARFs onset at age 36 months and above. Seafood appeared to be the main cause of ARFs (68%). ARFs appeared to be triggered mainly by environmental factors as reported by 46.7% of respondents. Nearly 56% of parents reported emotional responses associated with caring for ARF children while 8.8% and 17.5% found that ARFs affected relationships with family members and social acquaintances, respectively. A positive association was observed between specific levels of ARF knowledge and parental educational levels (p < 0.05). This findings represent an attempt to provide information for public education in a practical manner that can help optimize and sustain health benefits and overall community well-being

Evaluation of dietary intake and quality of life on risk of osteoporosis among adults in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu

The present study aimed to evaluate the link between dietary intake and quality of life on risk of osteoporosis among adults in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu. This study involved 73 respondents (61.6% students and 38.4% staff) aged 19 to 50 years old. The median BMI among respondents was 23.6 (6.08) kg/m2, categorized as normal weight. 58% of respondents had normal body weight, while 35.6% respondents were overweight/obese and 6.1% were underweight. Result revealed that serum calcium and phosphorus of respondents were 8.4 (0.65) mg/dL and 3.0 (0.70) mg/dL, respectively. Even though the median calcium intake of respondents was only 46.5% RNI (371.9 mg/day), the calcium concentration in serum achieved 98.8% at reference level. Moreover, 129.2% of phosphorus RDA intake (904.6 mg/day) resulted in 70% of respondents with serum phosphorus at reference level. A majority of calcium and phosphorus rich foods had low frequency consumption score among respondents. BMI and body fat percentage shows no relationship with serum calcium but have a weak reverse relationship with serum phosphorus (Ï: -0.215, p=0.07; Ï: -0.247, p=0.04). Additionally, Physical Health Composite Scale Score (PCS) and Mental Health Composite Scale Score (MCS) of respondents (53.86 (10.00); 52.42±7.44) were average and had a weak relationship with serum calcium (Ï: 0.237, p=0.04) but no relationship with serum phosphorus. Lastly, there was gender difference in terms of association between body fat percentage, BMI, quality of life, phosphorus intake and serum calcium and phosphorus

Knowledge and attitude on consumption of iron supplement among pregnant women in Kuala terengganu, Terengganu

The high prevalence of iron deficiency anemia and low compliance of iron supplement was reported among pregnant women in Malaysia. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and attitude on consumption of iron supplement among pregnant women in Kuala Terengganu. A cross-sectional study was carried out in government clinics and hospital. Pregnant women aged from 15-49 (n=120) were interviewed using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were used. Majority of pregnant women consumed iron supplement during the pregnancy (77.5%). Only 18.3% of pregnant women do not consumed iron supplement and another 4.2% not sure whether they consumed iron supplement. The prevalence of anemia in this study was low (19.2%). The level of knowledge and attitude on consumption of iron supplement was high, 58.3% and 54.2%, respectively. The level of knowledge on consumption of iron supplement was highly associated with the consumption of iron supplement (χ2= 16.717, p< 0.001). Furthermore, level of attitude on consumption of iron supplement also showed an association with the consumption of iron supplement (χ2= 8.449, p< 0.01). The data could serve as an early evidence related to the knowledge and attitude on consumption of iron supplement among pregnant women in Terengganu

Case-control retrospective study on cardiovascular disease risk and quality of life among Malay adults

In recent years, cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become the top cause of mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization in Malaysia. This study aimed to identify the most significant CVD risk factor and protective factor among Malay adults in Kuala Terengganu, as well as to compare the quality of life between case and control groups. A case-control study via self-administered questionnaire was carried out among 130 respondents aged 23 to 56 years in Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) and Nursing College Kuala Terengganu to compare past exposure (retrospective) between case and control groups to CVD risk. In the present study, 68 of them were in a case group with high blood cholesterol (total cholesterol [TC] > 5.18 mmol/L), while the other 62 were in a control group with the normal range of blood cholesterol (total cholesterol [TC] < 5.18 mmol/L). Purposive sampling was first applied to select the respondents in Kuala Terengganu. Then, consecutive sampling and quota sampling were performed in the study locations to recruit respondents, considering the type of respondents (case or control group) as a factor. The data were analysed using Independent-Samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-Square test and odds ratio (OR). The findings show no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the two groups in terms of CVD risk factors. However, by comparing the food frequency consumption scores, their fish consumption levels were found to be significantly different (p = 0.010). The control group had higher consumption (with a score of 60.8) compared to the case group (with a score of 50.8). Overweight or obesity was the only significant risk factor (OR: 2.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06 to 4.29), while the only significant protective factor was the absence of any chronic diseases (OR: 0.00, 95% CI: 0.00 to 0.03), which were found to be associated with CVD, such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and stroke. Furthermore, the quality of life of the control group was higher than that of the case group, but this difference was not significant (p > 0.05). Overweight or obesity is a major risk factor of CVD, while the absence of any chronic diseases is a major protector factor

Assessing knowledge, attitude, practice towards type II diabetes mellitus and their blood glucose level among public in selected areas of Bachok District, Kelantan

Diabetes is a major health problem in Malaysia particularly in Kelantan state. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine the knowledge, attitude and perceive practice towards type II diabetes among the public residants of Kelantan in relation towards their blood glucose level. About 68 respondents aged from 18 to 59 years old, were approached personally to participate in this study. Data collection was done through face-to-face interview using a questionnaire consisted of four sections; knowledge, attitude, and perceive practice (KAP) questionnaire including recent fasting blood glucose (FBG) readings. The results showed that most of the respondents had a moderate level of knowledge (54.4%, n=37), positive attitude (72%, n=49), and good perceive practice level (51.5%, n=35) towards diabetes mellitus. There was no significant relationship between knowledge, attitude, and perceive practice level towards diabetes mellitus at p<0.05. KAP level towards diabetes mellitus showed no significant relationship with blood glucose level at p<0.05. Findings indicate that most respondents had normal BMI (18.5 – 24.9) (64.7%, n=44) and normal FBG reading (< 6.1 mmol/L) (92.6%, n=63). As conclusion, respondents with higher educational level were more likely to have a higher level of knowledge about diabetes mellitus; however, this did not influence attitude, perceive practice and fasting blood glucose of respondents

Sub-acute toxicity of black seed (Nigella sativa) and honey mixture

Consumption of black seed (Nigella sativa) and honey mixture (BSH) has been reported to provide multiple health advantages. However, the toxicity effect of black seed and honey mixture (BSH) consumption has not been reported, although it has been consumed for centuries. Thus, this toxicity study was conducted, including determination of 50% lethal dose (LD50), changes in body and relative organ weights, differential leukocytes count, liver function test and histopathology analysis of liver and kidney. Thirty male Sprague Dawley rats (120-300 g) were used in the study and treated with varying dosages of BSH (100, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg, respectively) for 14 days. Half of the rats from each group (n=3) were euthanized on day 14 for a sub-acute toxicity study to obtain relative organ weight, haematology, liver function test and histopathology analysis. Another half of animals from each group (n=3) were kept for another 14 days without any treatment for delayed toxicity study. No lethality was observed in all dosage groups, while the LD50 value was evaluated to be more than 2000 mg/kg. No significant alterations (p>0.05) were observed in animal body weight, differential leukocytes count and relative organ weight in all treatment groups as compared to control for both sub-acute and delayed toxicity studies. However, AST enzymes drop significantly at dosage 500 and 2000 mg/kg in recovery period, which suggested delayed hepatoprotective effect of the mixture. Histopathology analysis of the liver and kidney confirmed no abnormalities in cell morphology. This study clearly demonstrates that consumption of BSH is safe and do not provide any adverse or delayed toxicity effect

Assessment of food insecurity and food coping strategies among fishermen household during monsoon in Terengganu, Malaysia

Most fishermen’s families have insufficient food, especially during the monsoon season. However, few studies have been done assessing their food insecurity and food coping strategies to sustain food availability. This cross-sectional study using convenience sampling was researcher administered to assess food insecurity (via Household Food Insecurity Access Scale - HFIAS) and food coping strategies (via Coping Strategies Index) among fishermen households during monsoon in Terengganu and to examine association between demographic, socioeconomic factors and household food insecurity level. This study was carried out among 80 respondents from fishermen households meeting eligible criterion and included married people aged 18-65 years old living in fisherman villages and wakaf beach areas in Kuala Nerus. The results showed that about 98.8% of the fishermen households in Terengganu were severely food insecure, and the remaining were moderately food insecure during the monsoon season. While for food coping strategies, ‘reduce amount of food cooked for meals’, ‘using less expensive food’, ‘cook whatever food is available at home’, and ‘reduce daily/monthly spending’ was the most highly adopted food coping strategies during monsoon season. There is a significant association found between household monthly income and food insecurity (χ2=2.85 p<0.05). This may indicates that household income of the fishermen do influence their food insecurity status. The most obvious finding to emerge from this study is that most of the fishermen household is experiencing food insecure during the monsoon season. Thus, more studies need to be conducted to yield further evidence in regards to household food insecurity among fishermen in other states in Malaysia especially during monsoon season