Effectiveness of exercise and protein supplementation intervention on body composition, functional fitness, and oxidative stress among elderly Malays with sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, characterized as muscle loss that occurs with aging, is a major health problem in an aging population, due to its implications on mobility, quality of life, and fall risk. Protein supplementation could improve the physical fitness by increasing protein anabolism, and exercise has a documented evidence of positive effect on functional status among the elderly. However, the combined effect of both protein supplementation and exercise has not been investigated among sarcopenic elderly in the Asian population. Thus, this study aimed to determine the effectiveness of exercise intervention and protein supplementation either alone or in combination for 12 weeks, on body composition, functional fitness, and oxidative stress among elderly Malays with sarcopenia. Sixty five sarcopenic elderly Malays aged 60-74 years were assigned to the control group, exercise group (ExG), protein supplementation group (PrG), or the combination of exercise and protein supplementation group. A significant interaction effect between body weight and body mass index (BMI) was observed, with the PrG (-2.1% body weight, -1.8% BMI) showing the highest reductions. Further, there was a decrease in % body fat (-4.5%) and an increase in fat-free mass (kg) (+5.7%) in the ExG after 12 weeks (P < 0.05). The highest increments in lower and upper body strength were observed in the PrG (73.2%) and ExG (47.6%), respectively. In addition, the ExG showed a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, and both interventions did not alter either lipid or protein oxidation. In conclusion, the exercise program was found to improve muscle strength and body composition, while protein supplementation reduced body weight and increased upper body strength, among sarcopenic elderly in Malaysia

The effect of calorie restricted diet on anthropometric and biochemical parameters in Sprague Dawley rats

Purpose Calorie restricted diets are known to improve health and promote healthy aging. This happens because of controlled inflammation and metabolism in the body. This study aims to evaluate the differences in anthropometric and biochemical parameters in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats because of consumption of a calorie restricted diet. Design/methodology/approach The study divided SD rats (n = 15) into 3 groups consuming high calorie intake (HCI), medium calorie intake and low calorie intake (LCI). Anthropometric parameters were determined through measurement of abdominal circumference (AC), thoracic circumference (TC), body length and body weight (BW). Biochemical parameters analyzed in this study were fasting blood glucose level and full blood lipid profile. Nutritional status was obtained based on food consumption, energy intake (EI) and food efficiency rate. Measurements were taken for a period of four weeks. Findings Analysis on anthropometric parameters indicates a significant difference in mean BW between HCI (230.44 ± 1.47 g) and LCI (188.54 ± 1.50 g). There is a significant difference in abdominal TC ratio (p < 0.001; F = 13.599) in the LCI group (1.01 ± 0.00714) compared to the HCI group (1.04 ± 0.00858). Post hoc for nutrition parameters indicates a significant difference in mean EI between HCI (9.71 ± 0.006 kJ) and LCI (3.21 ± 0.001 kJ). There is a significant effect (p < 0.0001; F = 3042872.02) of EI on rats in all three groups. HDL levels were significantly higher (p < 0.0001; F = 1536.89) in the LCI group (68.60 ± 0.55 mg/dL) compared to the HCI group (49.40 ± 0.55 mg/dL). The Pearson’s correlation results show a strong positive correlation in EI with BW (p < 0.01; r = 0.988), AC (p < 0.01; r = 0.970) and body mass index (p < 0.01; r = 0.972). Originality/value Low calorie diet has been proven to affect anthropometric development and has shown improvements in biochemical parameters of the rats. This may result in healthy aging which could prevent later-life diseases

Behavioural Intention to Purchase Halal Cosmetics Products in Malaysia

Purpose: The objective of this study was to identify the intention of Malaysia population to purchase halal cosmetics products in the market. There is little knowledge about what factors may affect personal care products the intention of Muslim customers to purchase these items   Theoretical framework: Recent literature has reported consumers' opinions and intentions toward halal food goods are more favourable than their attitudes and intentions toward halal cosmetics.   Design/methodology/approach: The convenience sampling method was used and a total of 521 participants was collected for this study. Participants consent was obtained electronically before they begin filling out questionnaires. Two sections were included which Part A : Socio demographic information; Part B : Halal Awareness , halal certification, exposure, product knowledge and health reason.   Findings: This research concluded that exposure, halal certificates and product knowledge has given an impact on the awareness of population in Malaysia to buy halal cosmetic products. In other hand, the health reason found to be insignificantly influences awareness of halal cosmectic products among the population.   Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: We suggest a future research agenda and highlight the contributions of cosmetics products seller to be aware on the needs of halal certification for their products   Originality/value: The results indicate that exposure, halal certificate and product knowledge are important variables that can increase awareness towards halal cosmetic. While the health reason is not an important predictor to the awareness towards halal cosmetic

Evaluation of acute toxicity of an aqueous extract of irradiated Labisia pumila on zebrafish embryo (Danio rerio)

his research aimed to compare the toxicity effect of non-irradiated and irradiated Labisia pumila at a different dosage of 3, 6, 9 and 12 kilogray (kGy). Different irradiated dosages of L.pumila were prepared using Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation and the acute toxicity were assessed through zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo. The survival rate, hatching rate, heartbeat rate and scoliosis were observed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 windows. The lethal dose (LC50) value was calculated. The LC50 value of non- irradiated extract L. pumila is 125 μg/ml compared to irradiated extract is 62.5 μg/ml respectively. Hatchability of zebrafish of L.pumila extract reduce in the higher concentration for non-irradiated sample at 250 μg/ml and for irradiated sample at 125 μg/ml. Presence of scoliosis not observed in all concentration for irradiated and non-irradiated sample. The heartbeat of zebrafish embryo treated with irradiated L. pumila extract (0–62.5 μg/ml) was within the normal range (120–180 bpm for all doses), but at higher concentrations (125 μg/ml) the heartbeat differs from normal ranges for all the doses. From this time forward, irradiated and non-irradiated of this plant was safe to be consumed due to its pharmaceutical effect but it still exhibited mild toxicity effect on zebrafish embryo. The diverse irradiated doses show a change of toxicity level of this plant which higher doses show mild toxicity to the zebrafish embryo compared to low doses exposure

Evaluation of acute toxicity of an aqueous extract of irradiated Labisia pumila on zebrafish embryo (Danio Rerio)

This research aimed to compare the toxicity effect of non-irradiated and irradiated Labisia pumila at a different dosage of 3, 6, 9 and 12 kilogray (kGy). Different irradiated dosages of L.pumila were prepared using Cobalt-60 gamma irradiation and the acute toxicity were assessed through zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryo. The survival rate, hatching rate, heartbeat rate and scoliosis were observed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 windows. The lethal dose (LC50) value was calculated. The LC50 value of non- irradiated extract L. pumila is 125 μg/ml compared to irradiated extract is 62.5 μg/ml respectively. Hatchability of zebrafish of L.pumila extract reduce in the higher concentration for non-irradiated sample at 250 μg/ml and for irradiated sample at 125 μg/ml. Presence of scoliosis not observed in all concentration for irradiated and non-irradiated sample. The heartbeat of zebrafish embryo treated with irradiated L. pumila extract (0–62.5 μg/ml) was within the normal range (120–180 bpm for all doses), but at higher concentrations (125 μg/ml) the heartbeat differs from normal ranges for all the doses. From this time forward, irradiated and non-irradiated of this plant was safe to be consumed due to its pharmaceutical effect but it still exhibited mild toxicity effect on zebrafish embryo. The diverse irradiated doses show a change of toxicity level of this plant which higher doses show mild toxicity to the zebrafish embryo compared to low doses exposure