The effect of moderate exercise on serum immunoglobulin levels among secondary schoolchildren

Recent studies have reported that enhancement in immunity occur following a moderate exercise bout, acommpanied by an increase in neutrophils, lymphocytes, augmented NK cells activity, and an increase in serum immunoglobulins levels. However, limited empirical evidence exists on the influence of moderate exercise training on humoral immunity, particularly among the youth. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between moderate exercise training and changes in serum immunoglobulin levels in adolescents. Thirty-five (n=35), physically inactive male residential school-going students aged 16 years, matched for BMI and fitness level were recruited and subjected to three 45-minute jogging sessions per week at 60% to 75% of heart rate reserve. A lO-ml blood sample was collected from each subject prior to and after the implementation of exercise programme for the determination of serum immunoglobulins using single radial immunodiffusion technique. Results were analyzed using Student's paired-t test. Serum IgG and IgM levels were found to be significantly (p<0.001) increased (13.79 ± 0.27 gil and 1.34 ± 0.02 gil respectively) after eight weeks of exercise training relatively to baseline values. A significant (p<O.05) increases in erythrocyte, hemoglobin, and haematocrit levels were also observed. No differences were observed in IgA levels, leukocyte, and platelet counts. The eight weeks of moderate exercise training also resulted in a significant (p<O.OO I) decrease in resting heart rate and improved I-Mile run performance. This study indicates that eight weeks of moderate exercise training produced significant increases in serum IgG and IgM levels as well as other hematological parameters in previously physically inactive adolescents

Effects of exercise on postprandial metabolism, appetite responses and feeding behaviour

Exaggerated metabolic perturbations during the postprandial period are likely to play a role in the development of vascular and metabolic diseases. Elevated levels of postprandial triglycerides (TG) are associated with increased risk for atherosclerosis independently of other cardiovascular risk factors, and exaggerated postprandial insulin excursions are known to contribute to lipid dysmetabolism and chronic insulin resistance. This, together with the fact that free-living humans spend most of their time in the postprandial state, suggests that interventions focusing on the improvement of postprandial metabolism could play a role in the prevention and management of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Exercise has a potent role in improving postprandial metabolism, by effectively attenuating postprandial lipaemia and insulinemia, as well as increasing fat oxidation, all of which providing positive outcomes for the prevention and treatment of metabolic disorders. It is however unclear the extent to which these beneficial effects of exercise persist when food is consumed ad libitum. In addition, the effects of exercise on appetite regulation and food intake require further elucidation. It is possible that exercise may provoke compensatory adaptations in food intake in an effort to restore energy balance, through physiological and/or behavioural responses. This has implications for the efficacy of exercise in the regulation of a healthy body weight. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis is to describe the effects of exercise on postprandial metabolism, appetite responses and feeding behaviour in overweight/obese men. The first two experimental chapters of this thesis (Chapters 3 and 4) aimed to investigate the effects of single vs. repeated exercise sessions (~700 kcal per session) on postprandial metabolism, energy intake, appetite and gut peptide responses in response to ad libitum feeding. Ten sedentary, overweight/obese men underwent: i) no-exercise control; ii) one exercise session (Day 3); and iii) three exercise sessions over three consecutive days (Days 1-3); prior to a 7-h metabolic assessment day (Day 4). Energy substrate utilisation, postprandial TG, insulin, acylated ghrelin, PYY3-36 as well as appetite responses and ad-libitum energy intake (breakfast, lunch, dinner) were determined. The findings of this study showed that the beneficial effects of a single exercise session on postprandial metabolism on postprandial metabolic responses persisted when meals were consumed ad libitum, but were not augmented by inducing a larger energy deficit by exercising on consecutive days. Furthermore, while a single exercise session did not elicit compensatory responses in appetite and energy intake, exercising on consecutive days led to a partial compensation (~24%) in energy intake as well as increased hunger sensation. Gut peptide responses were unaltered by exercise. The next chapter (Chapter 5) aimed to determine the effects of exercise timing relative to meal ingestion on postprandial metabolism, appetite responses, and ad libitum energy intake. Ten, sedentary overweight men exercised for an hour (~400 kcal) before or after consuming a standardised breakfast meal, followed by an 8.5 h metabolic assessment period. Energy substrate utilisation, postprandial TG, insulin, as well as appetite responses and ad-libitum energy intake (lunch, dinner) were determined. The findings indicated that exercise performed prior to a breakfast meal and exercise performed after a breakfast meal waas similarly beneficial in improving postprandial metabolism. Exercise timing relative to meal ingestion also did not influence appetite responses and ad libitum energy intake. In the final experimental chapter (Chapter 6), a pilot study was designed to examine the effects of acute exercise on non-metabolic factors related to appetite using a computer-based assessment. Twenty-seven men and women walked for an hour on the treadmill or rested on a control day. Appetite-related measures were assessed before and immediately after exercise, and hourly for 2 hours post exercise. The findings showed that an acute bout of moderate intensity exercise had an anorexigenic effect; characterised by diminished hunger and lower prospective food intake (ideal portion size) compared to no exercise. Although not a primary aim, this study discovered a novel association between loss aversion and prospective food intake and food liking. The collective findings of this thesis suggest that exercise attenuates postprandial TG and enhances fat oxidation in response to ad libitum feeding, indicating that exercise’s benefits can be extended into the ‘real world’ setting. The beneficial effects of exercise on postprandial metabolism are also independent of its timing relative to meal ingestion. In line with evidence in the literature, an acute bout of aerobic exercise does not induce compensatory responses in terms of energy intake and increased appetite, supporting the role of exercise in weight management. Other than physiological factors, the behavioural and cognitive aspects related to feeding can play a role in mediating compensatory responses to exercise and this requires further investigation

Regulatory Effects of Thymoquinone on Dopamine Level in Neuronal Cells Exposed to Amphetamine: An In Vitro Study

Introduction: Amphetamine (AT) is used to treat some medical conditions and also known to be abused recreationally. It is a potent central nervous system stimulant that is capable of producing damaging effects to the central dopaminergic pathway. Most of AT users are treated clinically for symptomatic treatment which is associated with neurological side effects. To date, there is growing interest in naturally occurring compounds which have lesser side effects to treat health problems. One of the potential compounds is thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa which is known for its cellular protective effects. Objective: The objectives of this study were to determine the IC50 values of AT and TQ on differentiated SH-SY5Y neuronal cells and to evaluate the changes of dopamine (DA) level in the cells exposed to AT after co-administering with TQ. Methodology: Differentiated SH-SY5Y cells were grown in cell culture flask containing DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum and 1% (v/v) penicillin/streptomycin. The IC50 value of TQ and AT in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells was determined by using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The DA level was determined by using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Result and Discussion: The IC50 values of AT and TQ were 1596 µM and 926 µM respectively. Co-administration of 40 µM of AT and 30 µM of TQ demonstrated a significant increase in DA level at 48 hours of exposure when compared to the administration of AT group (P≤0.05). Conclusion: These findings suggested that TQ has a role in maintaining the DA activity after a long-term AT exposure

Hubungan antara penagihan dadah dengan keganasan rumah tangga

Pertubuhan Kesihatan Sedunia (WHO) dan negara-negara anggotanya melalui Resolusi Perhimpunan Kesihatan Sedunia 49.25 telah mengakui bahawa keganasan adalah masalah awam yang serius dan juga merupakan suatu pencabulan hak asasi manusia. Di Malaysia, istilah “keganasan rumah tangga” merujuk kepada keganasan yang dilakukan oleh pasangan terhadap isteri atau orang yang disayangi. Statistik menunjukkan bahawa kes penagihan dadah meningkat seiring dengan peningkatan jumlah kes keganasan rumah tangga. Objektif kajian ini ialah untuk mengkaji perspektif responden berkenaan keganasan rumah tangga terutamanya dalam kalangan pengguna-pengguna opiat di Malaysia khususnya di Terengganu seterusnya kesan penagihan dadah terhadap keharmonian rumah tangga. Kaedah pengajian prospektif telah dijalankan dalam tempoh enam bulan ke atas 30 orang penagih opiat yang sedang menerima rawatan Terapi Gantian Metadon (TGM) di sekitar Kuala Terengganu dengan menggunakan borang kaji selidik. Analisis deskriptif digunakan untuk menganalisis data dalam kajian kuantitatif. Kajian ini menggunakan perisian SPSS versi 22.0%.Hasil kajian memfokuskan hubungan kekeluargaan, perlakuan, tingkah laku serta emosi di antara respondan dan pasangan. Keputusan menunjukkan bahawa hampir 80.0% responden tidak mempunyai sejarah penderaan sebelum ini dan tidak melakukan keganasan rumah tangga terhadap pasangan mereka. Sebanyak 39.4% responden sangat bersetuju bahawa keganasan rumah tangga adalah jenayah, berbanding 7.1% responden yang tidak bersetuju. Seterusnya, data menunjukkan bahawa 36.0% responden bersetuju bahawa layanan mereka terhadap pasangan berubah setelah mengambil dadah. Data juga membuktikan bahawa sebanyak 22.0% responden merasakan pasangan mereka berasa risau dan takut apabila bersama mereka. Hasil daripada analisis data menunjukkan bahawa kebanyakan responden merupakan individu yang mampu menjalani kehidupan normal sebelum pengambilan dadah. Walau bagaimanapun, setelah pengambilan dadah, perubahan pada tingkah laku dan emosi responden menyebabkan berlakunya keganasan dalam rumah tangga dan terhadap keluarga. Hal ini seterusnya menyebabkan pasangan berasa tidak selamat apabila bersama responden

Visceral adiposity index in older adults:Associations with physical functions and cardiometabolic risk

Studies have shown that visceral adiposity index (VAI) reflects metabolic disturbances and cardiometabolic risk, both of which are associated with lower physical functions. This study aimed to evaluate the associations of VAI with physical functions (i.e. cardiorespiratory fitness, balance, grip strength) and cardiometabolic parameters in older adults. Sixty, physically inactive men and women (n male = 35, age: 60.2 ± 4.4 years, BMI: 28.8 ± 4.6 kg/m2), underwent (1) anthropometric measurements; (2) 6-minute walk test, timed up-and-go and hand grip tests; (3) assessment of plasma insulin, glucose, triglycerides, HDL, adiponectin, and highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). VAI was estimated using anthropometric (BMI and waist circumference) and biochemical (triglycerides and HDL) parameters. Insulin resistance was calculated as HOMA-IR index. Partial correlations analysis controlled for gender demonstrated positive associations for VAI with insulin resistance (r = 0.658, p < 0.001) and hs-CRP (r = 0.325, p = 0.012). No association between VAI and physical function parameters was observed. In addition, waist circumference was inversely correlated with plasma adiponectin (r = −0.297, p = 0.023). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that only insulin resistance was an independent predictor of VAI. This study suggests that VAI is a strong indicator of deterioration in insulin sensitivity, and is associated with hs-CRP but not physical functions in older adults

BioMet-Think Aid : a learning package to enhance student practical experience in basic biochemistry and metabolism

Basic Biochemistry and Metabolism is a compulsory course offered to the 1st year students of the Biomedical Science Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. Understanding the theories and procedures concerning each practical is very crucial. All the techniques introduced are clinical biochemistry-based tests that are widely used in diagnostic lab. Previously, students were only given a practical manual which was disseminated days earlier followed by a short briefing before each practicals session. The students, however, could not fully grasp the content of the manual given, resulting in experimental errors, inaccurate findings and chemical wastage. Also, the instruments involvedwere sometimes mishandled resulting in an increased risk of damage or untoward accidents. To overcome these problems, Biokimia Metabolisme Think Aid (BioMet-Think Aid) learning package was introduced to enhance students’ understanding when performing the practical sessions. The BioMet-Think Aid package consists of a step-by-step video-based practical demonstration, reference posters for expected results and quizzes for assessing students’ understanding. This package was distributed to the students to serve as a preparatory package for the practical sessions. The feedback showed that the BioMet-Think Aid package resulted in increased students’ understanding (100%), adequate practical execution time (90%) and confidence in performing the experiments (100%). Positive feedbacks were also received from relevant teaching and technical staffs. Overall, the BioMet-Think Aid package serves as a catalyst to enhance students’ experience in learning Basic Biochemistry and Metabolism and it will be continued to be implemented to the future enrolled students

The Measure of Processes of Care 20-Item (MPOC-20): Validity and Reliability of the Malay Version

The paediatric rehabilitation service in Malaysia is shifting from the traditional child-focused approach to a family-centred approach. At present, there is a lack of an evaluation tool to assess to the quality of paediatric rehabilitation services, and whether the services are in line with the principles of the family-centred service. This study was undertaken to assess validity and reliability of the Malay version of the Measure of Processes of Care 20-item (MPOC-20) questionnaire in evaluating family-centered approach in children rehabilitation services in Kuala Lumpur. The original English version of the MPOC-20 was translated into Malay language, before it was administered to 102 parents of children receiving rehabilitation service at the Occupational Therapy Unit, UKM Medical Centre. The component structure of the MPOC-20 Malay version was examined using principal component analysis with Varimax rotation to explore the factor structures after translation. Cronbach’s alpha was calculated to determine the internal consistency reliability of the factors identified in the MPOC-20 Malay version. The resultant four-factor model explained 64 % of the variance in the Malay MPOC-20 responses. All four factors were similar to the five factors described in the original MPOC-20. All the 20 items were retained, with relocation of some items into a new factor. The Malay version of the MPOC-20 showed good internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.75 to 0.90. This study demonstrates that the Malay version of the MPOC-20 is valid and reliable, and is suitable for evaluation of the quality of child rehabilitation services in the Malaysian context

A 10-week pedometer-based walking program induced weight loss and improved metabolic health in community-dwelling adults

Walking 10,000 steps daily is associated with beneficial health outcomes. Recent systematic reviews have suggested that pedometers may be an effective motivational tool to promote walking. The aim of this study was to study the effectiveness of a 10-week, pedometer-based walking intervention to improve physical activity, body composition and metabolic health indices in a sample of suburban community-dwelling adults not meeting current physical activity recommendations. After screening, 34 overweight/obese individuals (mean age: 46 ± 8 years, mean BMI: 28.3 ± 4.2 kg/m2) were accepted into the walking program conducted by the Health Promotion Community Centre, Bangi. Subjects were instructed to increase their steps by 3000 steps daily above their baseline values for 10 weeks. Daily step count, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, as well as blood pressure, fasting glucose and lipids were evaluated at baseline and following the 10-week intervention. Thirty-one participants completed the program with 100% adherence. The average daily steps recorded during the 10-week intervention was 9693 ± 2196 steps per day. Mean daily steps increased from 8679 ± 2567 steps in Week 1 to 10,766 ± 3200 steps in Week 10 (p = 0.040). Overall, there were reductions in body weight (-1.13%, p = 0.010), waist circumference (-3.5%, p = 0.001) and BMI (-1.41%, p = 0.008) as well as fasting blood glucose (-8.5%, p = 0.003) and systolic blood pressure (-4.8%, p = 0.007) following the intervention. The findings of this study demonstrated that a goal-driven, pedometer-based walking intervention for 10 weeks resulted in a modest reduction in body weight and improved metabolic health outcomes in overweight/obese, community-dwelling adults

MDMA and the Brain: A Short Review on the Role of Neurotransmitters in Neurotoxicit

N-Methyl-3, 4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDMA), or ecstasy is a recreational drug of abuse. It is a synthetic substance that affects the body’s systems, which its mechanism of action and treatment should be more investigated. MDMA provides an immediate enjoyable feeling by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin in the brain. Unfortunately, abnormal regulation of the brain neurotransmitters, as well as the increased oxidative stress causes damage to the brain neurons after the MDMA exposure. Only a few studies have been done regarding its treatment. Thus, the treatment of MDMA complications should be further explored mainly by targeting its mechanism of action in the neurotransmitter systems. Hence, this study presents a short review regarding the recent findings on the role of neurotransmitters to cause MDMA neurotoxicity. The results will be useful for future research in elucidating the potential treatment based on the targeted mechanisms to treat the neurotoxic effects of MDMA