Starfruit Leaves as Glucose Absorption Inhibitor in Mice's Small Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Background: Starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) leaves contain flavone derivatives that exhibit anti-hyperglycemic effects. This study aims to determine the effect of starfruit leaves in reducing glucose absorption in intestinal epithelial cells of mice. Methods: This study was done by performing perfusion on the small intestines of mice. The mice that were used in this study were divided into four groups. The control group was given glucose solution without infused starfruit leaves whereas, the remaining 3 groups were given 3 mmol (540 mg/dL) glucose solution with infused starfruit leaves of varying concentrations; 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg. Samples were collected at 0, 15th, 30th, 45th, and 60th minute. The sample was tested for glucose levels using spectrophotometry. Results: Test of significance showed a significant difference between the control group and the test group with p < 0.05. Conclusions: Starfruit leaves have a reduction effect towards glucose absorption in the small intestines in Wistar strains where the group using 600 mg/kg of infused starfruit leaves have the most significant effect as compared to other groups

Incidence of Peripheral Neuropathy in Major Beta-Thalassemia Patients at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia

Bakground. Beta major thalassemia is the most common inherited blood disorder worldwide. It can lead to various neurological complications such as peripheral neuropathy. Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS) is helpful for peripheral neuropathy screening especially in diabetes mellitus. Objective. To investigate the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in beta major thalassemia patient using Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS). Method. A descriptive study on beta major thalassemia patients aged more than 14 years who regularly underwent blood transfusions in Hasan Sadikin General Hospital Bandung, from July to August 2017. Normal TCNS values was < 4, mild neuropathy 5-7, moderate neuropathy 8-10 and severe neuropathy > 10. Results. Sixty subjects met the inclusion criteria, 48,3% were male with the mean (SD) age of 20,7 ± 7,6 years. Mean hemoglobin value was 6,7 ± 0,9 g/dL and median (IQR) blood ferritin serum was 2873 (1900-3859) μg/L. Thirty-two subjects had neuropathy; 19 (31,7%) with mild neuropathy and 13 (21,6%) with moderate neuropathy.Conclusion. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with thalassemia according to TCNS score is fairly high.Latar Belakang. Talasemia beta mayor adalah kelainan darah bawaan paling umum di dunia dan dapat menyebabkan berbagai komplikasi, salah satunya neuropati perifer. Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS) dapat digunakan untuk penilaian neuropati perifer yang disebabkan oleh berbagai penyakit sistemik. Objektif. Menyelidiki prevalensi neuropati perifer pada pasien talasemia beta mayor menggunakan Toronto Clinical Neuropathy Score (TCNS). Metode. Penelitian ini studi deskriptif skrining menggunakan TCNS pada pasien thalassaemia beta mayor berusia lebih dari 14 tahun yang secara teratur menjalani transfusi darah di Rumah Sakit Umum Hasan Sadikin Bandung, dari Juli hingga Agustus 2017. Nilai TCNS normal adalah <4, neuropati ringan 5-7, neuropati sedang 8-10 dan neuropati berat> 10. Hasil. Sebanyak 60 subjek memenuhi kriteria inklusi, 48,3% laki-laki dengan usia rata-rata (SD) 20,7 ± 7,6 tahun. Nilai hemoglobin rata-rata 6,7 ± 0,9 g / dL dan serum ferritin darah median (IQR) adalah 2873 (1900-3859) μg / L. Tiga puluh dua subjek memiliki neuropati; 19 (31,7%) neuropati ringan dan 13 (21,6%) neuropati sedang. Simpulan. Insiden neuropati perifer pada pasien dengan talasemia menurut skor TCNS cukup tinggi

The Effect of Sappan Wood Extract (Caesalpinia Sappan), Wheat Grass and Vitamin E Treatment on the Liver Structure of Iron Overload of Rat (Rattus Norvegicus)

This research was carried out to detect the effect of Sappan Wood Extract (Caesalpinia sappan), Wheat grass and Vitamin E Treatment on the liver structure of iron overload rat (Rattus norvegicus).The method of experimental used Completely Random Design (CRD in triple repetition. The treatment had been carried out orally. Iron dextran with total dose of 1.5 g kg-1 of body were given to rat on the first, fourth, seventh, ten and thirteenth day. Sappan Wood Extract (Caesalpinia sappan)200 mg kg-1 bw, 400 mg kg-1 bw, Wheat grass extract 100 mg kg-1 bw and Vitamin E 60 mg kg-1 bw were given to rat everyday for 15 days. At the seventeenth, rat were killed and their liver were taken. The observed parameters are morphological abnormality including the colour, the contour, ratio between liver weight and body weight as well as histological destruction. The result showed iron dextran treatment was proved the abnormality on morphological and histological desruction. Futhermore, Sappan Wood Extract (Caesalpinia sappan), Wheat grass and Vitamin E Treatment can decrease the morphological abnormality and the liver histological destructionon of iron overload rat

Iron Overload Reduces Cholestrol and Triglyceride Serum of Mice

Most of the case of patient with hemoglobin disorder genes need routine blood transfusion throughout their life. It leads to increase iron accumulation with liver as the main organ for iron storage. Liver is the main organ for metabolic process, including triglyceride and cholesterol. However, correlation between metabolism of triglyceride and cholesterol, and iron overload condition is remain uncertain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of iron overload to triglyceride and cholesterol level in the serum of mice