Effects of Electrolyte Beverage on Preventing Dehydration among Workers in Different Environmental Temperature

Background and ObjectivesWater and electrolyte balance is important to maintain cognitive and physical performance, especially in hot environment. This study aims to evaluate the effects of two different type of fluid intake at the workplace in preventing dehydration among male workers working in a hot and conveniently cool environment.Methods and Study DesignThis randomized double-blinded placebo controlled trial study was performed in two appointed factories in West-Java in January-February 2012. Seventy-eight healthy male subjects, age 25-45 years were selected and they were grouped based on their working environmental temperature, i.e. hot and conveniently cool environment. The subjects were randomly allocated in two intervention phases by using crossover approach, to have non-electrolyte beverage (plain water) and electrolyte drink in the workplace for 2 days, respectively. Hydration and electrolyte biomarkers were collected from blood and urine samples at before and after the intervention.Results and Conclusions:At baseline, subjects of the hot environment workplace had higher daily working hours, hemoglobin, hematocrit, blood viscosity, and blood sodium concentration as compared to those of conveniently cool environment (P<0.05). After the intervention, for the subjects in hot environment alone, there were significantly lower value of blood viscosity, hemoglobin, and hematocrit, but significantly higher value for blood sodium, USG (urine specific gravity), pH, urinary sodium, urinary potassium and urinary chloride (P<0.05), among subjects having the electrolyte drink as compared to the plain water. In conclusion, this study confirmed that consumption of electrolyte beverage during working in hot environment temperature could help improve hydration status and electrolyte concentration

Hurdle Aerobic Exercise Increases Angiogenesis and Neuroplasticity in the Hippocampus and Improves the Spatial Memory Ability of Middle-aged Mice

BACKGROUND: Complex aerobic exercise is believed to induce positive effects on neuron structure and cognitive function. Long-term and continual cognitive stimulation increases neuroplasticity by stimulating the synthesis of neuronal growth proteins and the formation of new synapses. Exercise also increases the ability of neurons to survive and improves brain vascularization. Further investigations should be conducted to explore what types of aerobic exercise are beneficial for cognitive function. AIM: This study investigated the effects of hurdle aerobic exercise on developmentally regulated brain protein-A (Drebrin-A) as a neuroplasticity indicator, and on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as an angiogenesis marker in the hippocampus. METHODS: This study was an experimental study with post-test only control group design. Thirty-three adult mice were divided into control, hurdle aerobic runner (HAR), and plain aerobic runner (PAR) groups (n = 11 for each group). Fiberglass running wheels were originally designed and modified to assemble hurdles inside with adjustable speed. Speed adaptation was intended to achieve aerobic intensity. The experiment was performed 5 times a week for 8 weeks. The Morris water maze test (MWMT) was used to assess spatial memory ability. One day after the last running exercise and final MWMT, the mice were sacrificed and the right side of the hippocampus was obtained for Drebrin-A analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The entire right side brain tissue after hippocampus was removed then used for the neuroglobin ELISA assay. To analyze VEGF expression and calculation of blood vessel, the left side of the brain was prepared for hematoxylin eosin and immunohistochemistry staining. To assess the effect of exercise on vascular widening, the analysis of the slides was performed by calculating the percentage of blood vessels with diameters more than 15 μm. One-way ANOVA and Fisher’s least significant difference test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the levels of Drebrin-A between the HAR and PAR groups. Both exercise groups had higher levels of Drebrin-A than the control group. HAR and PAR groups exhibited significantly higher percentages of blood vessels expressing VEGF in hippocampus compared to control. HAR and PAR groups had the higher percentages of larger vessels compare to control. There was no significant difference of neuroglobin levels among the three groups. Both the HAR and PAR groups exhibited better spatial memory than the control group. CONCLUSION: Both aerobic exercises induced positive effects on brain angiogenesis, while the intensity of aerobic exercises did not result in high hypoxic stress in the brain

KADAR Na+, K+, Cl-, DAN KALSIUM TOTAL SERUM DARAH SERTA HUBUNGANNYA DENGAN TEKANAN DARAH PADA PENDERITA HIPERTENSI

ABSTRACT Hypertension is currently still a major problem in the world. In Indonesia, the number of hypertension tends to increase every year. One of the causes of hypertension is high  salt  consumption.  This research was held to identify levels of Na+, K+, Cl- and total calcium in blood serum and to analyze the relationship among levels of Na+, K+, Cl- and total calcium with blood pressure. This study was conducted on March to May 2014 using a Crosssectional method. The result showed that Na+ level in hypertensive patient significantly higher compared in normotensive (p=0.000). K+ level in hypertensive patient significantly lower than normotensive (p=0.002). In addition, no significant between Cl- level (p=0.514) and total calcium level (p=0.417) in hypertensive patients and normotensive subject. There was a significant relationship between Na+ level with systolic blood pressure (rs=0.419) and diastolic blood pressure (rs= 0.455). There was a significant relationship between K+ level with systolic blood pressure (rs=-0.403) and diastolic (rs=-0.496). There was no significant relationship between Cl- level with systolic blood pressure (rs=0.071) and diastolic (rs=0.092). There was significant relationship between total calcium level with systolic blood pressure (rs=-0.393) and no significant with diastolic (rs=-0.306). In conclusion, there were significant differences in the level of Na+ and K+ in hypertensive patient and normotensive and a significant relationship among level of Na+ and K+ with blood pressure. There were no significant differences in the levels of Cl- and total calcium in hypertensive patient and normotensive and no significant relationship among levels of Cl- and total calcium with blood pressure.   Key Words: blood pressure, Cl-, hypertension, K+, Na+, total calciu

EFFECT OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA LINN METHANOLIC EXTRACT ON HEART HYPERTROPHY INDEX AND PGC-1α IN OVERTRAINED RAT

Objective: Studies have shown that prolonged physical exercise increases ventricular wall mass. Physiologically, this increase is followed by an increase of mitochondrial biogenesis. However, increases of ventricular mass in some cardiovascular diseases are not followed by an increase of PPARγ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), a marker of mitochondrial biogenesis. No data regarding cardiac PGC-1α during an excessive physical exercise program that causes pathological conditions (overtraining) are available. Thus, we aimed to determine the effect of overtraining on cardiac hypertrophy index and PGC-1α level. Furthermore, we aimed to elucidate the cardio protective effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (HSL) administration on these cardiac parameters. Methods: Twenty-five male adult Wistar rats aged 8–10 w were randomly divided into five groups: control (C), control-HSL (C-HSL), aerobic training (A), overtraining (OT), and overtraining-HSL (OT-HSL). Treatments were conducted five times a week, for 11 w. Differences in heart mass were determined by measuring ratios of ventricular weight to body weight (hypertrophy index). PGC-1α levels were measured using an ELISA method. Results: We found that overtraining increased ventricular wall mass; however, it did not increase cardiac PGC-1α levels, whereas mild-aerobic exercise robustly increased cardiac levels of PGC-1α. Furthermore, administration of a methanol extract of HSL did not show any significant effect on cardiac mass or PGC-1α level. Conclusion: Thus, our study showed that ventricular hypertrophy elicited by overtraining conditions was not followed by an increase in cardiac PGC-1α, and administration of H. sabdariffa extract did not ameliorate this condition

EFFECT OF HIBISCUS SABDARIFFA LINN ON IL-6 AND TNF- α LEVELS IN OVERTRAINED RAT HEART

Objective: This study aims to determine the effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn. (HSL) administration on the interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) levels in rat heart. Overtraining was proven to increase the IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the blood, and HSL had anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. However, no studies have been conducted on the effect of methanolic extract of HSL administration on the IL-6 and TNF-α levels in overtrained rat heart. Methods: This study used 25 male adult Wistar rats aged 8–10 w and weighing 200–250 g. The rats were randomly divided into five groups: control (C), control H. sabdariffa Linn (C+HSL), overtraining (OT), overtraining H. sabdariffa Linn (OT+HSL), and aerobic (A). Treatment was given 5 times a week for 11 w. At the end of the study, the IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured using a standard ELISA kit. Results: IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the heart were the highest in the overtraining group. The group that received HSL administration showed the lowest TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Conclusion: HSL could be a used to protect the heart from an inflammatory state, particularly in an overtraining condition

The effect of moderate-intensity acute aerobic exercise duration on the percentage of circulating CD31⁺ cells in lymphocyte population

Background: The increasing number of circulating CD31+ endothelial progenitor cells is one of the important factors for maintaining vascular homeostasis. Exercise will effectively increase the number of circulating CD31+ endothelial progenitor cells. This study aims to determine the effect of moderate-intensity acute aerobic exercise duration on the percentage of circulating CD31+ cells in untrained healthy young adult subjects. Methods: This study was an experimental study. Untrained healthy volunteers (n=20) performed ergocycle at moderate-intensity (64–74% maximum heart rate) for 10 minutes or 30 minutes. Immediately before and 10 minutes after exercise, venous blood samples were drawn. The percentage of CD31+ cells in peripheral blood was analyzed using flow cytometry. Data was statistically analyzed using student t-test. Results: There were no significant differences in the mean percentage of circulating CD31+ cells before and after exercise for 10 minutes and 30 minutes (p>0.05). However, there was a different trend in the percentage of circulating CD31+ cells after exercise for 10 minutes and 30 minutes. In the 10 minutes duration, 50% of subjects showed increase. Whereas in the 30 minutes duration, 80% of subjects showed increase. Conclusion: The percentage of circulating CD31+ cells before and after exercise for 10 minutes was not different compared to 30 minutes. However, data analysis shows that majority of subjects (80%) had increased in the percentage of circulating CD31+ cells after 30 minutes exercise

The tolerability and efficacy of oral isotonic solution versus plain water in dengue patients: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Plasma leakage plays an important role in dengue infection, and this condition can lead to hemoconcentration, hypovolemia, and shock. Fluid replacement is the main treatment for dengue. There is a lack of evidence to support certain oral fluid therapy as a treatment for dengue patients. Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate tolerability and efficacy of oral isotonic solution (OIS) compared to plain water as a fluid replacement in dengue patients. Materials and Methods: A randomized, clinical trial with single-blinded groups was conducted to compare tolerability and efficacy of OIS and plain water in dengue patients. We evaluated gastrointestinal disturbances (nausea, vomiting, and bloating), body temperature, mean arterial pressure (MAP), fluid balance, hematocrit, Na+, and K+ levels. Data were analyzed with SPSS 20.0, and figures were made with GraphPad Prism version 5.01. Results: Twenty four subjects were included and divided equally into two groups. Our results showed that there are no significant differences but indicate several noteworthy trends. The intervention group (OIS) experienced less nausea, less vomiting, had positive fluid balance and higher MAP, and became afebrile faster compared to the control group (plain water). Conclusion: Although not statistically significant, this study shows the trend that OIS is well-tolerated and effective for dengue patients compared to plain water

Combined traditional medicine and pharmacological antihypertensive drugs in a rural community of West Java, Indonesia

<p>Some hypertensive subjects in Indonesia consume traditional herbal medicines in addition to the usual pharmacological drugs. This paper studied the relationship between several traditional herbal medicines, such as morinda, star fruit, garlic, or jamu, believed to control hypertension and the risk of current pharmacological antihypertensive drug users in subjects with stage 1 and 2 hypertension in a rural community West Java, Indonesia. The data were obtained from 3 field studies by the second year medical students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Indonesia conducted in 2001, 2002, and 2003 in a subdistrict of the Bogor regency. The subjects were selected randomly from neighborhood clusters. Interviews and blood pressure measurements were conducted at the houses of the subjects by specially trained second year medical students supervised by faculty members. There were 496 subjects with stage 1 or 2 hypertension, with 11.5% under current antihypertensive drugs. Compared with the hypertension stage 1 subjects, hypertension stage 2 subjects were 5.4 times more likely to be currently taking pharmacological antihypertensive medication (adjusted odds ratio = 5.44; 95% confidence interval = 2.64-11.27). The combined of current antihypertensive medication with traditional medicines were cucumber which being the most dominant followed by star fruit and morinda. Reasons for this were probably the strong influence of culture, the limited medical facilities, and high cost of the antihypertensive drugs. It was concluded that in a rural Indonesia, it was common for hypertensive subjects to take pharmacological drugs as well as traditional medicine for antihypertensive therapy. <em><strong>(Med J Indones 2004; 13: 246-51)</strong></em></p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong><em> hypertension, pharmacological drugs, traditional medicine, Indonesia</em></p

Effect of Brain Gym ® exercises on cognitive function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasma level in elderly: a randomized controlled trial

Background Cognitive impairment and dementia are some of the major health concerns in the aging population. Many studies showed positive effects of physical exercise in delaying or preventing these conditions. Brain Gym ® exercises is a structured aerobic exercise involving head, eyes and crossing movements of the extremities in order to stimulate both brain hemispheres. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Brain Gym ® exercises sessions on cognitive function and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the elderly. Methods A non-blinded randomized controlled study involving 64 healthy women aged >60 years who were randomized into Brain Gym ® exercises treatment group (n=32) and control group (n=32). Treatment group joined 60 minutes of brain gym exercises sessions twice a week for 12 weeks. The measured outcomes were cognitive function (assessed by mini-mental state examination [MMSE] questionnaire) and plasma BDNF levels. The outcomes were measured at base-line and after the intervention. An independent t-test was used to analyze the data. Results The BDNF levels were increased in both groups after 12 weeks, and there was a significant difference between treatment group (41.26 ± 6,82 ng/mL) and control group (37.10 ± 8.11 ng/mL)(p=0.040). However, the MMSE score was not significantly different between the two groups (p=0.200). Conclusion Brain Gym ® exercises sessions significantly increase plasma BDNF level in the elderly population. In practical terms, we may suggest evaluation of the effects of Brain Gym ® exercises as a strategy in the treatment of disorders associated with central degenerative changes

Effects of <em>Hibiscus sabdariffa</em> Linn. on insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) to prevent overtraining syndrome

Background: Excessive physical exercises (overtraining) can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). One of the indicators of overtraining syndrome is a decrease in insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3). Administration of Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn., a powerful antioxidant, is expected to boost endogenous antioxidants, and thus prevents overtraining. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of H. sabdariffa on IGFBP-3 levels in rats under ”overtraining physical excersice”.Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 30 male rats (Rattus norvegicus 200-250 grams), randomly allocated into 5 groups: 1) control group (C); 2) control with H. sabdariffa (C-Hib); 3) mild aerobic exercise (A-Ex); 4) overtraining exercise (OT); 5) overtraining exercise with H. Sabdariffa (OT-Hib). H. sabdariffa (400 mg/kg/d, 11 weeks) were administered orally via syringe cannula. IGFBP-3 was measured by using ELISA (Cusa bio kit) and data were analyzed with ANOVA test.Results: Plasma level of IGFBP-3 in the C and OT groups were 17.4 ± 10 mIU/L, the lowest in OT groups (10.7 ± 9.9 mIU/L) and the OT-Hib group had the highest level (31.5 ± 6.2 mIU/L). There was significant difference of the level IGFBP-3 in OT groups with A-Ex groups (10.7 ± 9.9 vs 23.5 ± 9.7 mIU/L; p &lt; 0,05). The significant difference was also observed in the level of IGFBP 3 between C groups and the OT-Hib groups (17.4 ± 10 vs 31.5 ± 6.2; p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Administration of H. sabdariffa can prevent the decrease of IGFBP-3 levels in overtraining rats, indicating its role in preventing overtraining syndrome.</p