BACKGROUND Lead is able to pass through the placental barrier and interfere with fetal development. Red fruit has high antioxidant activity, due to carotenoids (pro-vitamin A), tocopherols (vitamin E) and unsaturated fatty acids. This study aims to examine the effect of red fruit oil towards placenta in pregnant mice before lead exposure. METHODS This was a laboratory experimental post test only study, using 20 pregnant mice (Mus musculus) that were randomized into five groups. The negative control group was not exposed to lead; intervention group 0 (P0) was exposed to lead at 0.011 mg/20 g BW/day on days 6-15 of gestation. The intervention groups P1-P3 were given red fruit orally at 0.3 mL/20 g BW/day, 0.8 mL/20 g BW/day, 0.9 mL/20 g BW/day, respectively, before lead exposure. Normal trophoblast cell count and caspase-9 expression of trophoblasts were calculated. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann Whitney tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS The intervention groups P2 and P3 given red fruit at 0.8 mL/20 g BW/day and 0.9 mL/20 g BW/day showed a significant increase in normal trophoblast cell count of 88.2% (p=0.024) and a decrease in caspase-9 expression of 70.8% compared with P0 to which was not given red fruit (p=0.020). CONCLUSION Red fruit increased normal trophoblast cell count by 88.2% and decreased caspase-9 expression by 70.8% in pregnant mice before lead exposure. It should be noted that red fuit may prevent oxidative damage to cells.

Background One of the most important sight-threatening eye disorders in ophthalmology is glaucoma. Together with age related macular degeneration it is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. Magnesium (Mg) is considered to improve the ocular blood flow in glaucoma patients and could protect the retinal ganglion cell against oxidative stress. Membrane potential refers to the difference in electrical potential between the intracellular and the extracellular of a biological cell. The objective of this study was to determine the Mg serum level and membrane potential in glucoma subjects. Methods A case-control study was conducted in eighty confirmed glaucoma patients and eighty normal subjects between 50 to75 years were selected. The serum sodium, potassium and calcium were estimated using Randox Kit. While membrane potential was determined by calculation using Nerst Equation. Magnesium levels were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer technique. An independent t-test was used to analyze the data. Results The results obtained showed that the level of Magnesium serum (1.11 ± 0.14 mg/dL) and membrane potential (176.40 ± 42.00 J) was significantly decreased in glaucoma as compared to the controls (2.4 ± 0.68 mg/dL) and (251.76 ± 191.99) (p<0.05). The serum sodium, potassium and calcium were also significantly decreased among glaucoma subjects compared to control (p<0.005). Conclusion The result probably suggests, that decrease in magnesium aggravates glaucoma while decrease in membrane potential could cause poor energy transmission and hence affect ocular blood flow. Hence, decreased magnesium and membrane potential levels contributes greatly to glaucoma.

Background Obesity and hypertension are independent risk factors in the increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases. The proportion of obesity in Indonesia has increased in the last 5 years according to the National Health Survey. The purpose of this research was to obtain the contribution of obesity toward hypertension in the age group of 18 years and above. Methods An observational study of cross-sectional design was conducted using the National Basic Health Research 2013 population data. The total sample of subjects was 2,741,297 from 33 provinces in Indonesia. Data were collected through interviews, blood pressure measurement, and anthropometry. Analysis of categorical data was by means of the chi-square statistical test, followed by calculation of the attributable fraction in the population, and analysis of factors influencing the impact fraction. Results The prevalence of general obesity (BMI>25 kg/m2) was 31.5% in males and 48.0% in females, while central obesity was 20.9% in males and 42.5% in females. In females with general obesity the risk of hypertension was 1.84 (95% CI: 1.82-1.86) times higher than in those with normal BMI. If general obesity and central obesity can be reduced, the prevalence of hypertension may be reduced by 2.9% in males and by 12.2% in females. Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension in the age group of 18 years or more can be reduced by 2.9% in males and by 12.2% in females, by overcoming the contribution of obesity. Therefore efforts should be geared towards promoting healthy eating habits and maintaining a healthy weight through health education.

Background Smoking is the act of introducing toxic substances into the body. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that may cause several disorders, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Toxic substances in cigarette smoke have the potential to increase free radicals, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and to decrease endogenous antioxidant (glutathione/GSH) levels. This study aims to determine the relationship of smoking with plasma GSH and MDA levels in medical students. Methods This study was analytical observational with cross-sectional approach. The study was conducted from April to December 2015. The subjects in this study were medical students, consisting of 20 smokers and 20 nonsmokers. Plasma GSH and MDA levels were determined biochemically using Sigma GSH Assay Kit and Sigma MDA Assay Kit. Data was analyzed using the independent t test. Results The results showed that there was no significant difference between mean GSH in smokers (1.74 ± 0.91 mmol/L) and nonsmokers (2.42 ± 1.19 µmol/L) (p=0.441). Mean smokers MDA level of 2.06 ± 1.39 nmol/mL was not significantly different compared with mean nonsmokers MDA level (1.32 ± 0.90 nmol/mL) (p=0.092). Conclusions Smoking tends to decrease plasma GSH levels and increase plasma MDA levels in medical students. Smoking history could be evidence of oxidative stress and an impaired oxidant defense system. In particular, young smokers should quit promptly before health problems arise, so as to have the optimal benefits of cessation.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is the main cause of morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases. Many herbs/spices appear to have significant effects in favorably modulating high blood pressure. A jamu formulation containing 6 plant extracts, Formula Jamu Antihipertensi (FJA), has been described previously. This research study aimed to evaluate the effect of FJA as antihypertensive agent in mild to moderate hypertensive patients. METHODS This double-blind experimental study was conducted in 40 hypertensive patients, who were randomized into two groups. The first group was treated with oral administration of 2 g FJA and the second group 25 mg captopril daily for 4 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as liver and kidney function were followed up every week. Independent- t test and two-way ANOVA were used to analyze the data with a level of significance of 0.05. RESULTS The results showed that after the treatment, FJA and captopril were capable of significantly decreasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure (p <0.05). The decrease in systolic blood pressure between the two groups was identical (p>0.05), while the decrease in diastolic blood pressure was greater in the FJA group than in the captopril group (p <0.05). CONCLUSION From this study it may be concluded that administration of FJA for 4 weeks is equally effective as captopril in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with mild and moderate hypertension. Thus, natural plants and herbs can be our source of drugs, with fewer side effects and better bioavailability for treatment of hypertension in the future.

BACKGROUND Dengue infection is an acute viral infection, in the natural history of which plasma leakage may occur, resulting in shock followed by tissue hypoxia, with death as the final outcome if not treated properly. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation of the hematocrit, serum albumin concentration, and the presence of pleural effusion or ascites, with hyperlactatemia in adult dengue patients. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 62 subjects. The inclusion criteria were: diagnosed dengue viral infection, age >14 years, fever during three consecutive days, and hyperlactatemia. Serum albumin was measured on an Advia 1800 analyzer using the bromocresol green method. The lactate oxidase method was used to determine serum lactate levels. Pleural effusion and/or ascites was determined using an ultrasound scanner (Xario SSA-660 A, Toshiba, Japan). The Pearson correlation test was used to analyze the data. RESULTS There was no significant correlation between the hematocrit (r=0.11; p=0.301), serum albumin (r=0.003;p=0.981), and pleural effusion or ascites (r=0.75; p=0.692) with serum lactate levels. However, in patients aged >30 years there was a significant inverse correlation between serum albumin and lactate levels (r =- 0.663;p=0.026). CONCLUSION This study demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between albumin and serum lactate levels in dengue patients aged > 30 years. This can aid in the early recognition and prompt management of at-risk patients to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Background Atherosclerosis is initiated by endothelial dysfunction, as a result of increasing degradation of nitrit oxide by reactive oxygen species, thereby increasing oxydative stress. Dyslipidemia is one of the risk factors of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of blood pressure and serum lipid level with carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in subjects aged between 55-65 years. Methods A cross sectional study was carried out in 52 male and female subjects aged between 55-65 years. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipid profile, and CIMT were assessed in all subjects. The independent t-test was used to to analyze the relationship between all variables and CIMT. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05 Results Mean age was 59.19 ± 3.68 years, prevalence of thickened CIMT was 66.5%, and plaques were found in 9 subjects. There wwre no significant differences in age, BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid profile between normal and thickened CIMT (p>0.05). However, there was a significant difference in gender between the two groups (p=0.011). In females, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure were higher in the thickened CIMT group than in the normal CIMT group, but the difference was not significant (p>0.05). Conclusions Our findings suggest that high blood pressure tends to increase CIMT in female adults. An increasing value of CIMT should be considered as a sign of cerebrovascular disease.