Biomarker: Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and telomere length of Thai elderly people with frailty

Introduction: Thailand has a rapidly aging population; assessing frailty earlier with biochemical markers could identify many adverse outcomes such as disability, hospitalization, and death. We aimed to examine the correlation between Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and telomere length and frailty for elderly people in Northern Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed between May 2017 and March 2018 with a total of 350 elderly aged 60 and older for frailty phenotype assessment by five frailty criteria including unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, slowness, low physical activities, and grip strength weakness. Twenty-eight subjects in both the frailty and non-frailty groups were analyzed for basic clinical parameters, including plasma TEAC, TBARS, and telomere length. Results: Alanine aminotransferase activity, albumin concentration, cholesterol level, and telomere length were significantly low in the frailty group. The albumin level, TEAC, and telomere length were significantly higher between the ages of 60 and 75 years compared to those with non-frailty over 75 years of age. Likewise, albumin and cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the frailty group aged 60–75 years. Albumin concentration, cholesterol level, TEAC, and telomere length were significantly higher in the non-frailty group when compared to the frailty group aged 60–75 years, but no significant difference was found among these biochemical parameters of frailty and non-frailty whose age was above 75 years. Conclusion: The reduction of albumin concentration, cholesterol level, TEAC, and telomere length supports the underlying mechanism of frailty screened by the frailty phenotype tool in a specific age range. However, further analyses with multi-parameters must be validated before the application in clinical diagnosis for frailty

Antioxidant Extract from <i>Cleistocalyx nervosum</i> var. <i>paniala</i> Pulp Ameliorates Acetaminophen-Induced Acute Hepatotoxicity in Rats

The indigenous purplish red fruit, Cleistocalyx nervosum var. paniala (CN), is grown in northern Thailand. The aqueous extract of CN pulp is known to exhibit antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties. To search for an antioxidant fraction separated from CN, various hydroalcoholic extractions were performed. The acidified ethanolic extract of CN obtained from 0.5% (v/v) citric acid in 80% (v/v) ethanol yielded greater polyphenol content and DPPH radical scavenging activity when compared with other hydroethanolic extracts. Cyanidin-3-glucoside is a major anthocyanin present in the acidified ethanolic extract of CN (AECN). At a dose of 5000 mg/kg bw, an anthocyanin-rich extract was found to be safe when given to rats without any acute toxicity. To examine the hepatoprotective properties of AECN, an overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) was induced in a rat model, while silymarin was used as a standard reference. The administration of AECN at a dose of 300 mg/kg bw for 28 days improved hepatocyte architecture and modulated serum alanine aminotransferase levels in APAP-induced rats. Furthermore, it significantly decreased serum and hepatic malondialdehyde levels but increased hepatic glutathione content, as well as glutathione peroxidase and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activities. In conclusion, AECN may effectively reduce oxidative stress induced acute hepatotoxicity in overdose APAP-treated rats through the suppression of oxidative stress and the enhancement of the antioxidant system in rat livers

Expression of fluorescent tagged recombinant erythroferrone protein

Objective: To produce fluorescent tagged recombinant erythroferrone protein (ERFE_eGFP) for laboratory investigations. Methods: Erythroferrone (ERFE) gene was fused to green fluorescent protein (eGFP) gene and cloned in a pSecTag2Hygro plasmid. The constructed plasmid was amplified in Escherichia coli DH5 α and the eGFP-fused ERFE (ERFE_eGFP) protein was expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK293T) cell line. Results: The plasmid constructed from colony C6 contained ERFE_eGFP with the correct restriction sizes of 4.2 kb and expressed secretory ERFE_eGFP fusion protein (approximately size of 75 kDa) in HEK293T cell line. Conclusions: ERFE_eGFP recombinant protein is successfully expressed as a secretory functional protein and could be sensitively detected using fluorometry. This fusion protein might benefit future applications for localization of cellular ERFE receptors and competitive immunoassay of ERFE concentration

Cognitive Frailty in Thai Community-Dwelling Elderly: Prevalence and Its Association with Malnutrition

Cognitive frailty (CF) is defined by the coexistence of physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment. Malnutrition is an underlying factor of age-related conditions including physical frailty. However, the evidence associating malnutrition and cognitive frailty is limited. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the association between malnutrition and CF in the elderly. A total of 373 participants aged 65&ndash;84 years were enrolled after excluding those who were suspected to have dementia and depression. Then, 61 CF and 45 normal participants were randomly selected to measure serum prealbumin level. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic (MoCA-B). Modified Fried&rsquo;s criteria were used to define physical frailty. Nutritional status was evaluated by the Mini Nutritional Assessment&ndash;short form (MNA-SF), serum prealbumin, and anthropometric measurements. The prevalence of CF was 28.72%. Malnourished status by MNA-SF category (aOR = 2.81, 95%CI: 1.18&ndash;6.67) and MNA-SF score (aOR = 0.84, 95%CI = 0.74&ndash;0.94) were independently associated with CF. However, there was no correlation between CF and malnutrition assessed by serum prealbumin level and anthropometric measurements. Other independent risk factors of CF were advanced age (aOR = 1.06, 95%CI: 1.02&ndash;1.11) and educational level below high school (aOR = 6.77, 95%CI: 1.99&ndash;23.01). Malnutrition was associated with CF among Thai elderly. High-risk groups who are old and poorly educated should receive early screening and nutritional interventions

Phase Formation, Mechanical Strength, and Bioactive Properties of Lithium Disilicate Glass–Ceramics with Different Al₂O₃ Contents

Owing to its excellent mechanical properties and aesthetic tooth-like appearance, lithium disilicate glass–ceramic is more attractive as a crown for dental restorations. In this study, lithium disilicate glass–ceramics were prepared from SiO2–Li2O–K2O–P2O5–CeO2 glass systems with various Al2O3 contents. The mixed glass was then heat-treated at 600 °C and 800 °C for 2 h to form glass–ceramic samples. Phase formation, microstructure, mechanical properties and bioactivity were investigated. The phase formation analysis confirmed the presence of Li2Si2O5 in all the samples. The glass–ceramic sample with an Al2O3 content of 1 wt% showed rod-like Li2Si2O5 crystals that could contribute to the delay in crack propagation and demonstrated the highest mechanical properties. Surface treatment with hydrofluoric acid followed by a silane-coupling agent provided the highest micro-shear bond strength for all ceramic conditions, with no significant difference between ceramic samples. The biocompatibility tests of the material showed that Al2O3-added lithium disilicate glass–ceramic sample was bioactive, thus activating protein production and stimulating the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of osteoblast-like cells

Comparison of Effects of Storage at Different Temperatures in a Refrigerator, Upright Freezer on Top of Refrigerator, and Deep Freezer on the Immunoglobulin A Concentration and Lysozyme Activity of Human Milk

This study aimed to investigate the effects of storing expressed human milk (HM) at different domestic storage temperatures on the secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA) concentration and lysozyme activity. Forty mothers of full-term infants aged one to six months provided milk samples. The fresh samples were examined within 24 h of expression, and the other samples were stored in a refrigerator for four days or in two types of freezers for six months. The SIgA concentrations and lysozyme activity in the milk samples were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and fluorometric lysozyme activity assay kits, respectively. The pairwise comparisons of the SIgA concentration and lysozyme activity were carried out using one-way analysis of variance with Dunnett T3 or Kruskal&ndash;Wallis tests with Bonferroni correction, depending on the data distribution. The mean temperatures of the refrigerator, upright freezer on top of the refrigerator, and deep freezer (chest freezer) were 2.0, &minus;16.7, and &minus;22.3 &deg;C, respectively. Our study results highlight that the SIgA concentration and lysozyme activity of HM stored in the refrigerator for four days and in freezers for six months were significantly lower than those of fresh HM (p &lt; 0.001). During the first six months of storage in both types of freezers, the SIgA levels were stable, whereas the lysozyme activity significantly decreased (p &lt; 0.001). HM stored in the deep freezer had a higher SIgA concentration and lysozyme activity than HM stored in the upright freezer on top of the refrigerator. Our data support the superiority of fresh human milk over stored HM. If HM is to be stored, then storage in a deep freezer is potentially a more effective method for the preservation of SIgA concentrations and lysozyme activity than storage by refrigeration for four days or in an upright freezer on top of a refrigerator for six months

Fabrication and Characterization of Cinnamaldehyde-Loaded Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Nanoparticles/PHBV-Based Microspheres for Preventing Bacterial Infection and Promoting Bone Tissue Regeneration

Polyhydroxybutyrate-co-hydroxyvalerate (PHBV) is considered a suitable polymer for drug delivery systems and bone tissue engineering due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, the lack of bioactivity and antibacterial activity hinders its biomedical applications. In this study, mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGN) were incorporated into PHBV to enhance its bioactivity, while cinnamaldehyde (CIN) was loaded in MBGN to introduce antimicrobial activity. The blank (PHBV/MBGN) and the CIN-loaded microspheres (PHBV/MBGN/CIN5, PHBV/MBGN/CIN10, and PHBV/MBGN/CIN20) were fabricated by emulsion solvent extraction/evaporation method. The average particle size and zeta potential of all samples were investigated, as well as the morphology of all samples evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. PHBV/MBGN/CIN5, PHBV/MBGN/CIN10, and PHBV/MBGN/CIN20 significantly exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in the first 3 h, while CIN releasing behavior was observed up to 7 d. Human osteosarcoma cell (MG-63) proliferation and attachment were noticed after 24 h cell culture, demonstrating no adverse effects due to the presence of microspheres. Additionally, the rapid formation of hydroxyapatite on the composite microspheres after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF) during 7 d revealed the bioactivity of the composite microspheres. Our findings indicate that this system represents an alternative model for an antibacterial biomaterial for potential applications in bone tissue engineering

Guava Fruit and Acacia pennata Vegetable Intake Association with Frailty of Older Adults in Northern Thailand

As Thailand moves toward an aging society, frailty has become a concern amongst northern Thai elderly. The causes of frailty are multifactorial and include genetic, environmental, and socio-economic factors; diet is of particular interest. A cross-sectional study was conducted from September to October 2017 to investigate what kind of diets normally consumed by 350 Thai elders were associated with frailty using a questionnaire and frailty determination by Fried&rsquo;s phenotype followed by phytochemical analyses of the diets. The multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated a significant positive association between certain foods and lower frailty. Guava fruit and Acacia pennata vegetable consumption had lower odds of frailty, which were 0.52 times (95% CI 0.28&ndash;0.96, p = 0.037) and 0.42 times (95% CI 0.21&ndash;0.83, p = 0.012) when adjusted for the potential confounders. The phytochemical analyses of guava fruit showed a significantly higher amount of total flavonoids (p &lt; 0.001), total phenolic compounds (p = 0.002), and antioxidant capacity, including DPPH (p &lt; 0.001), ABTS (p &lt; 0.001), and FRAP (p = 0.002) when compared to those of banana. Acacia pennata vegetable contained a significantly higher amount of total phenolic compounds (p = 0.012) when compared to those of lettuce. These findings may assist in health promotion programs of frailty prevention by encouraging an increase in consumption of either guava fruit or Acacia pennata vegetable among Thai elderly

Deferiprone−Resveratrol Hybrid, an Iron-Chelating Compound, Acts as an Antimalarial and Hepatoprotective Agent in Plasmodium berghei-Infected Mice

Free heme in plasma acts as a prooxidant; thus, it is bound to hemopexin and eliminated by the liver. High iron content in the liver can support Plasmodium growth and cause oxidative liver injury. Inversely, the withholding of excessive iron can inhibit this growth and protect the liver against malaria infection. This study examined the effects of a deferiprone-resveratrol (DFP-RVT) hybrid on malaria parasites and its relevant hepatoprotective properties. Mice were infected with P. berghei, gavage DFP-RVT, deferiprone (DFP), and pyrimethamine (PYR) for 8 consecutive days. Blood and liver parameters were then evaluated. The presence of blood-stage parasites was determined using the microscopic Giemsa staining method. Subsequently, plasma liver enzymes, heme, and concentrations of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were determined. The liver tissue was examined pathologically and heme and TBARS concentrations were then quantified. The results indicate that the suppression potency against P. berghei growth occurred as follows: PYR > DFP-RVT hybrid > DFP. Importantly, DFP-RVT significantly improved RBC size, restored alanine aminotransferase and alkaline activities, and increased heme and TBARS concentrations. The compound also reduced the liver weight index, heme, and TBARS concentrations significantly when compared to mice that were untreated. Our findings support the contention that the hepatoprotective effect of DFP-RVT is associated with parasite burden, iron depletion, and lipid peroxidation in the host

Local Wisdom and Diversity of Medicinal Plants in Cha Miang Forest in Mae Kampong Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand, and Their Potential for Use as Osteoprotective Products

&ldquo;People-Forest-Miang&rdquo; communities are villages located in the cultivated area of Camellia sinensis var. assamica, or Cha Miang, in northern Thailand. Cha Miang forests are a form of agriculture relying on forest-rich bioresources. This study focuses on a survey of the diversity of medicinal plants used by &ldquo;People-Forest-Miang&rdquo; communities in Mae Kampong Village, Chiang Mai, Thailand. The results demonstrated that 73 species of medicinal plants were used to prevent and treat various ailments. The highest number of species (30.14%) was used for musculoskeletal system disorders, followed by digestive system disorders (21.92%) and unspecified medicinal disorders (15.07%). The alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is the most widely recognized biochemical marker for osteoblast activity. The ALP activity of ethanol and deionized water extracts of the nine selected medicinal plants used for musculoskeletal system disorders were examined in the MG63 cell line. The results showed that the numerous water extracts, including MKP1, MKP2, MKP5, MKP6, MKP7, MKP8, and MKP9, and the ethanolic extracts&mdash;namely, MKP2, MKP3, MKP7, and MKP9&mdash;significantly increased ALP activity in the MG-63 cell line. The findings indicate that some medicinal plants may be further studied for active chemicals and developed as natural active pharmaceutical ingredients for osteoprotective products