Displaying publications 1 - 20 of 97 in total

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  1. Fulltext Impact of adipogenic differentiation on stemness and osteogenic gene expression in extensive culture of human adipose-derived stem cells
    Safwani WK, Makpol S, Sathapan S, Chua K
    Arch Med Sci, 2014 Jun 29;10(3):597-606.
    PMID: 25097593 DOI: 10.5114/aoms.2014.43753
    Adipose tissue is a source of multipotent adult stem cells. Most studies on human adipose-derived stem cells (ASC) have been on the early passages. Studies in extensive expansion have not been well established yet. In this study, we aim to investigate the effects of extensive expansion on the adipogenic differentiation capability of ASC.
  2. Long-term in vitro expansion of human adipose-derived stem cells showed low risk of tumourigenicity
    Zaman WS, Makpol S, Sathapan S, Chua KH
    J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 2014 Jan;8(1):67-76.
    PMID: 22552847 DOI: 10.1002/term.1501
    In the field of cell-based therapy and regenerative medicine, clinical application is the ultimate goal. However, one major concern is: does in vitro manipulation during culture expansion increases tumourigenicity risk on the prepared cells? Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of long-term in vitro expansion on human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs). The ASCs were harvested from lipo-aspirate samples and cultured until passage 20 (P20), using standard culture procedures. ASCs at P5, P10, P15 and P20 were analysed for morphological changes, DNA damage (Comet assay), tumour suppressor gene expression level (quantitative PCR), p53 mutation, telomerase activity, telomere length determination and in vivo tumourigenicity test. Our data showed that ASCs lost their fibroblastic feature in long-term culture. The population doubling time of ASCs increased with long-term culture especially at P15 and P20. There was an increase in DNA damage at later passages (P15 and P20). No significant changes were observed in both p53 and p21 genes expression throughout the long-term culture. There was also no p53 mutation detected and no significant changes were recorded in the relative telomerase activity (RTA) and mean telomere length (TRF) in ASCs at all passages. In vivo implantation of ASCs at P15 and P20 into the nude mice did not result in tumour formation after 4 months. The data showed that ASCs have low risk of tumourigenicity up to P20, with a total population doubling of 42 times. This indicates that adipose tissue should be a safe source of stem cells for cell-based therapy.
  3. Alteration of gene expression levels during osteogenic induction of human adipose derived stem cells in long-term culture
    Safwani WK, Makpol S, Sathapan S, Chua KH
    Cell Tissue Bank, 2013 Jun;14(2):289-301.
    PMID: 22476937 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-012-9309-1
    Adipose tissue is a source of multipotent stem cells and it has the ability to differentiate into several types of cell lineages such as neuron cells, osteogenic and adipogenic cells. Most studies on human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have been carried out at the early passages. For clinical usage, ASCs need to be expanded in vitro for a period of time to get sufficient cells for transplantation into patients. However, the impact of long-term culture on ASCs molecular characteristics has not been established yet. Several studies have also shown that osteogenic and adipogenic cells have the ability to switch pathways during in vitro culture as they share the same progenitor cells. This data is important to ensure their functionality and efficacy before being used clinically in the treatment of bone diseases. Therefore, we aim to investigate the effect of long-term culture on the adipogenic, stemness and osteogenic genes expression during osteogenic induction of ASCs. In this study, the molecular characteristics of ASCs during osteogenic induction in long-term culture was analysed by observing their morphological changes during induction, analysis of cell mineralization using Alizarin Red staining and gene expression changes using quantitative RT-PCR. Morphologically, cell mineralization at P20 was less compared to P5, P10 and P15. Adipogenesis was not observed as negative lipid droplets formation was recorded during induction. The quantitative PCR data showed that adipogenic genes expression e.g. LPL and AP2 decreased but PPAR-γ was increased after osteogenic induction in long-term culture. Most stemness genes decreased at P5 and P10 but showed no significant changes at P15 and P20. While most osteogenic genes increased after osteogenic induction at all passages. When compared among passages after induction, Runx showed a significant increased at P20 while BSP, OSP and ALP decreased at later passage (P15 and P20). During long-term culture, ASCs were only able to differentiate into immature osteogenic cells.
  4. The impact of long-term in vitro expansion on the senescence-associated markers of human adipose-derived stem cells
    Safwani WK, Makpol S, Sathapan S, Chua KH
    Appl Biochem Biotechnol, 2012 Apr;166(8):2101-13.
    PMID: 22391697 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-012-9637-4
    Human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have generated a great deal of excitement in regenerative medicine. However, their safety and efficacy issue remain a major concern especially after long-term in vitro expansion. The aim of this study was to investigate the fundamental changes of ASCs in long-term culture by studying the morphological feature, growth kinetic, surface marker expressions, expression level of the senescence-associated genes, cell cycle distribution and ß-galactosidase activity. Human ASCs were harvested from lipoaspirate obtained from 6 patients. All the parameters mentioned above were measured at P5, P10, P15 and P20. Data were subjected to one-way analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc test to determine significance difference (P < 0.05). The data showed that growth of ASCs reduced in long-term culture and the ß-galactosidase activity was significantly increased at later passage (P20). The morphology of ASCs in long-term culture showed the manifestation of senescent feature at P15 and P20. Significant alteration in the senescence-associated genes expression levels was observed in MMP1, p21, Rb and Cyclin D1 at P15 and P20. Significant increase in CD45 and HLA DR DQ DP surface marker was observed at P20. While cell cycle analysis showed significant decrease in percentage of ASCs at S and G2/M phase at later passage (P15). Our data showed ASCs cultured beyond P10 favours the senescence pathway and its clinical usage in cell-based therapy may be limited.
  5. The changes of stemness biomarkers expression in human adipose-derived stem cells during long-term manipulation
    Wan Safwani WK, Makpol S, Sathapan S, Chua KH
    Biotechnol Appl Biochem, 2011 Jul-Aug;58(4):261-70.
    PMID: 21838801 DOI: 10.1002/bab.38
    One of the advantages of human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in regenerative medicine is that they can be harvested in abundance. However, the stemness biomarkers, which marked the safety and efficacy of ASCs in accordance with the good manufacturing practice guidelines, is not yet well established. This study was designed to investigate the effect of long-term culture on the stemness properties of ASCs using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and flow cytometry. Results showed the growth rate of ASCs was at its peak when they reached P10 (population doubling; PD = 26) but started to decrease when they were expanded to P15 (PD = 36) and P20 (PD = 46). The ASCs can be culture expanded with minimal alteration in the stemness genes and cluster of differentiation (CD) markers expression up to P10. Expression level of Sox2, Nestin, and Nanog3 was significantly decreased at later passage. CD31, CD45, CD117, and human leukocyte antigen DR, DQ, and DP were lowly expressed at P5 and P10 but their expressions increased significantly at P15 or P20. The differentiation ability of ASCs (adipogenesis, osteogenesis, and neurogenesis) also decreased in long-term culture. Our findings suggested that P10 (PD = 26) should be the "cutoff point" for clinical usage because ASCs at passage 15 onward showed significant changes in the stemness genes, CD markers expression, and differentiation capability.
  6. Fulltext 5-Azacytidine is insufficient for cardiogenesis in human adipose-derived stem cells
    Wan Safwani WK, Makpol S, Sathapan S, Chua KH
    J Negat Results Biomed, 2012;11:3.
    PMID: 22221649 DOI: 10.1186/1477-5751-11-3
    Adipose tissue is a source of multipotent adult stem cells and it has the ability to differentiate into several types of cell lineages such as neuron cells, osteogenic cells and adipogenic cells. Several reports have shown adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have the ability to undergo cardiomyogenesis. Studies have shown 5-azacytidine can successfully drive stem cells such as bone marrow derived stem cells to differentiate into cardiomyogenic cells. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effect 5-azacytidine on the cardiogenic ability of ASCs.
  7. Stemness gene expression profile of human adipose derived stem cells in long-term culture
    Zaman WS, Makpol S, Santhapan S, Chua KH
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:61-2.
    PMID: 19024984
    It is crucial to know whether stem cells retain its stemnness properties after advance in vitro manipulation. The objective of this study was to investigate the stemness gene expression of human adipose tissue derived stem cells (ADSCs) in long-term culture using quantitative RT-PCR technique. Our data showed that the expression level of Sox-2, Rex-1, FGF-4, Nanog, Nestin, BST-1, FZD-9 and Oct-4 were decreased gradually in long-term culture. This could mean that the ability of ADSCs to differentiate into other cell lineages reduce after extensive culture.
  8. Fulltext Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promote recovery of injured HepG2 cell line and show sign of early hepatogenic differentiation
    Liau LL, Makpol S, Azurah AGN, Chua KH
    Cytotechnology, 2018 Aug;70(4):1221-1233.
    PMID: 29549558 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-018-0214-8
    Currently, orthotopic liver transplantation is the gold standard therapy for liver failure. However, it is limited by the insufficient organ donor and risk of immune rejection. Stem cell therapy is a promising alternative treatment for liver failure. One of the most ideal sources of stem cells for regenerative medicine is adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). In this study, primary ADSCs seeded on cell culture insert were indirectly co-cultured with injured HepG2 to elucidate the role of ADSCs in promoting the recovery of injured HepG2 in non-contact manner. HepG2 recovery was determined by the surface area covered by cells and growth factor concentration was measured to identify the factors involved in regeneration. Besides, HepG2 were collected for q-PCR analysis of injury, hepatocyte functional and regenerative markers expression. For the ADSCs, expression of hepatogenic differentiation genes was analyzed. Results showed that non-contact co-culture with ADSCs helped the recovery of injured HepG2. ELISA quantification revealed that ADSCs secreted higher amount of HGF and VEGF to help the recovery of injured HepG2. Furthermore, HepG2 co-cultured with ADSCs expressed significantly lower injury markers as well as significantly higher regenerative and functional markers compared to the control HepG2. ADSCs co-cultured with injured HepG2 expressed significantly higher hepatic related genes compared to the control ADSCs. In conclusion, ADSCs promote recovery of injured HepG2 via secretion of HGF and VEGF. In addition, co-cultured ADSCs showed early sign of hepatogenic differentiation in response to the factors released or secreted by the injured HepG2.
  9. Fulltext Tocotrienol Rich Fraction Supplementation Modulate Brain Hippocampal Gene Expression in APPswe/PS1dE9 Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model
    Wan Nasri WN, Makpol S, Mazlan M, Tooyama I, Wan Ngah WZ, Damanhuri HA
    J Alzheimers Dis, 2019;70(s1):S239-S254.
    PMID: 30507571 DOI: 10.3233/JAD-180496
    Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of memory and other cognitive abilities. AD is associated with aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) deposited in the hippocampal brain region. Our previous work has shown that tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) supplementation was able to attenuate the blood oxidative status, improve behavior, and reduce fibrillary-type Aβ deposition in the hippocampus of an AD mouse model. In the present study, we investigate the effect of 6 months of TRF supplementation on transcriptome profile in the hippocampus of APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice. TRF supplementation can alleviate AD conditions by modulating several important genes in AD. Moreover, TRF supplementation attenuated the affected biological process and pathways that were upregulated in the AD mouse model. Our findings indicate that TRF supplementation can modulate hippocampal gene expression as well as biological processes that can potentially delay the progression of AD.
  10. Behavioral Assessment and Blood Oxidative Status of Aging Sprague Dawley Rats through a Longitudinal Analysis
    Achin NA, Kit TJ, Ngah WZW, Makpol S, Mazlan M, Hamezah HS, et al.
    Curr Aging Sci, 2018;11(3):182-194.
    PMID: 30338748 DOI: 10.2174/1874609811666181019141217
    BACKGROUND: Cognitive frailty emerges as one of the threats to healthy aging. It is in continuum with advancing of age with uncertain indicator between pathological and physiological changes. Alterations in pathways associated with the aging process have been observed including oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and inflammation. However, the exact mechanisms leading to cognitive decline are still unclear.

    OBJECTIVE: This study was sought to assess the level of cognitive functions and linked with blood oxidative status during normal aging in rats.

    METHODS: A longitudinal study using male Sprague Dawley rats was performed starting from the age of 14 months old to 27 months old. Cognitive functions tests such as open field, Morris water maze and object recognition were determined at the age of 14, 18, 23, and 27 months old and were compared with group 3 months old. Blood was collected from the orbital venous sinus and oxidative status was determined by measuring the level of DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, protein oxidation and antioxidant enzymes activity.

    RESULTS: Aged rats showed declining exploratory behavior and increased in the level of anxiety as compared to the young rats. The level of DNA damage increased with increasing age. Interestingly, our study found that both levels of malondialdehyde and plasma carbonyl content decreased with age. In addition, the level of superoxide dismutase activity was significantly decreased with age whereas catalase activity was significantly increased from 18 months of age. However, no significant difference was found in glutathione peroxidase activity among all age groups.

    CONCLUSION: The progressions of cognitive impairment in normal aging rats are linked to the increment in the level of DNA damage.

  11. Fulltext Gene Expression Profile in Different Age Groups and Its Association with Cognitive Function in Healthy Malay Adults in Malaysia
    Abdul Sani NF, Amir Hamzah AIZ, Abu Bakar ZH, Mohd Yusof YA, Makpol S, Wan Ngah WZ, et al.
    Cells, 2021 06 27;10(7).
    PMID: 34199148 DOI: 10.3390/cells10071611
    The mechanism of cognitive aging at the molecular level is complex and not well understood. Growing evidence suggests that cognitive differences might also be caused by ethnicity. Thus, this study aims to determine the gene expression changes associated with age-related cognitive decline among Malay adults in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 healthy Malay subjects, aged between 28 and 79, and recruited around Selangor and Klang Valley, Malaysia. Gene expression analysis was performed using a HumanHT-12v4.0 Expression BeadChip microarray kit. The top 20 differentially expressed genes at p < 0.05 and fold change (FC) = 1.2 showed that PAFAH1B3, HIST1H1E, KCNA3, TM7SF2, RGS1, and TGFBRAP1 were regulated with increased age. The gene set analysis suggests that the Malay adult's susceptibility to developing age-related cognitive decline might be due to the changes in gene expression patterns associated with inflammation, signal transduction, and metabolic pathway in the genetic network. It may, perhaps, have important implications for finding a biomarker for cognitive decline and offer molecular targets to achieve successful aging, mainly in the Malay population in Malaysia.
  12. Fulltext Altered Tryptophan-Kynurenine Pathway in Delirium: A Review of the Current Literature
    Phing AH, Makpol S, Nasaruddin ML, Wan Zaidi WA, Ahmad NS, Embong H
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Mar 15;24(6).
    PMID: 36982655 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065580
    Delirium, a common form of acute brain dysfunction, is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, especially in older patients. The underlying pathophysiology of delirium is not clearly understood, but acute systemic inflammation is known to drive delirium in cases of acute illnesses, such as sepsis, trauma, and surgery. Based on psychomotor presentations, delirium has three main subtypes, such as hypoactive, hyperactive, and mixed subtype. There are similarities in the initial presentation of delirium with depression and dementia, especially in the hypoactive subtype. Hence, patients with hypoactive delirium are frequently misdiagnosed. The altered kynurenine pathway (KP) is a promising molecular pathway implicated in the pathogenesis of delirium. The KP is highly regulated in the immune system and influences neurological functions. The activation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, and specific KP neuroactive metabolites, such as quinolinic acid and kynurenic acid, could play a role in the event of delirium. Here, we collectively describe the roles of the KP and speculate on its relevance in delirium.
  13. Fulltext Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Delirium-like Behaviour in a Rat Model of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Is Associated with Increased Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Expression and Endotoxin Tolerance
    Ang HP, Makpol S, Nasaruddin ML, Ahmad NS, Tan JK, Wan Zaidi WA, et al.
    Int J Mol Sci, 2023 Jul 31;24(15).
    PMID: 37569622 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512248
    Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway (TRP-KP) are upregulated in ageing and could be implicated in the pathogenesis of delirium. This study evaluated the role of IDO/KP in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced delirium in an animal model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH), a proposed model for delirium. CCH was induced by a permanent bilateral common carotid artery ligation (BCCAL) in Sprague Dawley rats to trigger chronic neuroinflammation-induced neurodegeneration. Eight weeks after permanent BCCAL, the rats were treated with a single systemic LPS. The rats were divided into three groups: (1) post-BCCAL rats treated with intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline, (2) post-BCCAL rats treated with i.p. LPS 100 μg/kg, and (3) sham-operated rats treated with i.p. LPS 100 μg/kg. Each group consisted of 10 male rats. To elucidate the LPS-induced delirium-like behaviour, natural and learned behaviour changes were assessed by a buried food test (BFT), open field test (OFT), and Y-maze test at 0, 24-, 48-, and 72 h after LPS treatment. Serum was collected after each session of behavioural assessment. The rats were euthanised after the last serum collection, and the hippocampi and cerebral cortex were collected. The TRP-KP neuroactive metabolites were measured in both serum and brain tissues using ELISA. Our data show that LPS treatment in CCH rats was associated with acute, transient, and fluctuated deficits in natural and learned behaviour, consistent with features of delirium. These behaviour deficits were mild compared to the sham-operated rats, which exhibited robust behaviour impairments. Additionally, heightened hippocampal IDO expression in the LPS-treated CCH rats was associated with reduced serum KP activity together with a decrease in the hippocampal quinolinic acid (QA) expression compared to the sham-operated rats, suggested for the presence of endotoxin tolerance through the immunomodulatory activity of IDO in the brain. These data provide new insight into the underlying mechanisms of delirium, and future studies should further explore the role of IDO modulation and its therapeutic potential in delirium.
  14. Fulltext Profiling neuroprotective potential of trehalose in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases: a systematic review
    Yap KH, Azmin S, Makpol S, Damanhuri HA, Mustapha M, Hamzah JC, et al.
    Neural Regen Res, 2023 Jun;18(6):1179-1185.
    PMID: 36453391 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.360164
    Trehalose, a unique nonreducing crystalline disaccharide, is a potential disease-modifying treatment for neurodegenerative diseases associated with protein misfolding and aggregation due to aging, intrinsic mutations, or autophagy dysregulation. This systematic review summarizes the effects of trehalose on its underlying mechanisms in animal models of selected neurodegenerative disorders (tau pathology, synucleinopathy, polyglutamine tract, and motor neuron diseases). All animal studies on neurodegenerative diseases treated with trehalose published in Medline (accessed via EBSCOhost) and Scopus were considered. Of the 2259 studies screened, 29 met the eligibility criteria. According to the SYstematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experiment (SYRCLE) risk of bias tool, we reported 22 out of 29 studies with a high risk of bias. The present findings support the purported role of trehalose in autophagic flux and protein refolding. This review identified several other lesser-known pathways, including modifying amyloid precursor protein processing, inhibition of reactive gliosis, the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, activation of growth factors, upregulation of the downstream antioxidant signaling pathway, and protection against mitochondrial defects. The absence of adverse events and improvements in the outcome parameters were observed in some studies, which supports the transition to human clinical trials. It is possible to conclude that trehalose exerts its neuroprotective effects through both direct and indirect pathways. However, heterogeneous methodologies and outcome measures across the studies rendered it impossible to derive a definitive conclusion. Translational studies on trehalose would need to clarify three important questions: 1) bioavailability with oral administration, 2) optimal time window to confer neuroprotective benefits, and 3) optimal dosage to confer neuroprotection.
  15. Fulltext A Link between Mitochondrial Dysregulation and Idiopathic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Alterations in Mitochondrial Respiratory Capacity and Membrane Potential
    Hassan H, Zakaria F, Makpol S, Karim NA
    Curr Issues Mol Biol, 2021 Dec 16;43(3):2238-2252.
    PMID: 34940131 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43030157
    Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological disorder triggered by various factors through complex mechanisms. Research has been done to elucidate the potential etiologic mechanisms in ASD, but no single cause has been confirmed. The involvement of oxidative stress is correlated with ASD and possibly affects mitochondrial function. This study aimed to elucidate the link between mitochondrial dysregulation and idiopathic ASD by focusing on mitochondrial respiratory capacity and membrane potential. Our findings showed that mitochondrial function in the energy metabolism pathway was significantly dysregulated in a lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) derived from an autistic child (ALCL). Respiratory capacities of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), electron transfer of the Complex I and Complex II linked pathways, membrane potential, and Complex IV activity of the ALCL were analyzed and compared with control cell lines derived from a developmentally normal non-autistic sibling (NALCL). All experiments were performed using high-resolution respirometry. Respiratory capacities of OXPHOS, electron transfer of the Complex I- and Complex II-linked pathways, and Complex IV activity of the ALCL were significantly higher compared to healthy controls. Mitochondrial membrane potential was also significantly higher, measured in the Complex II-linked pathway during LEAK respiration and OXPHOS. These results indicate the abnormalities in mitochondrial respiratory control linking mitochondrial function with autism. Correlating mitochondrial dysfunction and autism is important for a better understanding of ASD pathogenesis in order to produce effective interventions.
  16. Differences in protein changes between stress-induced premature senescence and replicative senescence states
    Aan GJ, Hairi HA, Makpol S, Rahman MA, Karsani SA
    Electrophoresis, 2013 Aug;34(15):2209-17.
    PMID: 23712505 DOI: 10.1002/elps.201300086
    Replicative senescence and stress-induced premature senescence (SIPS) cells are known to share certain traits. However, whether these cells are different at the protein level is unclear. Thus, this study has utilized proteomics to identify differences in the proteomes of replicative senescence and SIPS cells compared to normal cells. Replicative senescence was induced by serial passage of normal cells in culture. SIPS was established by exposure to H2 O2 at a subcytotoxic concentration of 20 μM for two weeks. Following 2DE, protein profiles were compared and protein spots that changed in abundance were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR was then performed to evaluate the transcript expression of selected altered proteins. A total of 24 and 10 proteins were found to have changed in abundance in replicative senescence and SIPS cells, respectively, when compared to young cells. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that nine genes showed the same direction of change as observed in the proteomics analysis. Very little overlap was observed between proteins that changed in replicative senescence and SIPS cells, suggesting that although both SIPS and replicative senescence cells share hallmarks of cellular senescence, they were different in terms of proteins that changed in abundance.
  17. Fulltext Alcohol Dependence Modulates Amygdalar mTORC2 and PKCε Expression in a Rodent Model
    Hanim A, Mohamed IN, Mohamed RMP, Mokhtar MH, Makpol S, Naomi R, et al.
    Nutrients, 2023 Jul 05;15(13).
    PMID: 37447362 DOI: 10.3390/nu15133036
    Multiple alcohol use disorder (AUD)-related behavioral alterations are governed by protein kinase C epsilon (PKCε), particularly in the amygdala. Protein kinase C (PKC) is readily phosphorylated at Ser729 before activation by the mTORC2 protein complex. In keeping with this, the current study was conducted to assess the variations in mTORC2 and PKCε during different ethanol exposure stages. The following groups of rats were employed: control, acute, chronic, ethanol withdrawal (EW), and EW + ethanol (EtOH). Ethanol-containing and non-ethanol-containing modified liquid diets (MLDs) were administered for 27 days. On day 28, either saline or ethanol (2.5 g/kg, 20% v/v) was intraperitoneally administered, followed by bilateral amygdala extraction. PKCε mRNA levels were noticeably increased in the amygdala of the EW + EtOH and EW groups. Following chronic ethanol consumption, the stress-activated map kinase-interacting protein 1 (Sin1) gene expression was markedly decreased. In the EW, EW + EtOH, and chronic ethanol groups, there was a profound increase in the protein expression of mTOR, Sin1, PKCε, and phosphorylated PKCε (Ser729). The PKCε gene and protein expressions showed a statistically significant moderate association, according to a correlation analysis. Our results suggest that an elevated PKCε protein expression in the amygdala during EW and EW + EtOH occurred at the transcriptional level. However, an elevation in the PKCε protein expression, but not its mRNA, after chronic ethanol intake warrants further investigation to fully understand the signaling pathways during different episodes of AUD.
  18. Fulltext Expression of senescence-associated microRNAs and target genes in cellular aging and modulation by tocotrienol-rich fraction
    Khee SG, Yusof YA, Makpol S
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2014;2014:725929.
    PMID: 25132913 DOI: 10.1155/2014/725929
    Emerging evidences highlight the implication of microRNAs as a posttranscriptional regulator in aging. Several senescence-associated microRNAs (SA-miRNAs) are found to be differentially expressed during cellular senescence. However, the role of dietary compounds on SA-miRNAs remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the modulatory role of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) on SA-miRNAs (miR-20a, miR-24, miR-34a, miR-106a, and miR-449a) and established target genes of miR-34a (CCND1, CDK4, and SIRT1) during replicative senescence of human diploid fibroblasts (HDFs). Primary cultures of HDFs at young and senescent were incubated with TRF at 0.5 mg/mL. Taqman microRNA assay showed significant upregulation of miR-24 and miR-34a and downregulation of miR-20a and miR-449a in senescent HDFs (P < 0.05). TRF reduced miR-34a expression in senescent HDFs and increased miR-20a expression in young HDFs and increased miR-449a expression in both young and senescent HDFs. Our results also demonstrated that ectopic expression of miR-34a reduced the expression of CDK4 significantly (P < 0.05). TRF inhibited miR-34a expression thus relieved its inhibition on CDK4 gene expression. No significant change was observed on the expression of CCND1, SIRT1, and miR-34a upstream transcriptional regulator, TP53. In conclusion tocotrienol-rich fraction prevented cellular senescence of human diploid fibroblasts via modulation of SA-miRNAs and target genes expression.
  19. Fulltext Vitamin E in sarcopenia: current evidences on its role in prevention and treatment
    Khor SC, Abdul Karim N, Ngah WZ, Yusof YA, Makpol S
    Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2014;2014:914853.
    PMID: 25097722 DOI: 10.1155/2014/914853
    Sarcopenia is a geriatric syndrome that is characterized by gradual loss of muscle mass and strength with increasing age. Although the underlying mechanism is still unknown, the contribution of increased oxidative stress in advanced age has been recognized as one of the risk factors of sarcopenia. Thus, eliminating reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be a strategy to combat sarcopenia. In this review, we discuss the potential role of vitamin E in the prevention and treatment of sarcopenia. Vitamin E is a lipid soluble vitamin, with potent antioxidant properties and current evidence suggesting a role in the modulation of signaling pathways. Previous studies have shown its possible beneficial effects on aging and age-related diseases. Although there are evidences suggesting an association between vitamin E and muscle health, they are still inconclusive compared to other more extensively studied chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, we reviewed the role of vitamin E and its potential protective mechanisms on muscle health based on previous and current in vitro and in vivo studies.
  20. Fulltext Gelam honey attenuated radiation-induced cell death in human diploid fibroblasts by promoting cell cycle progression and inhibiting apoptosis
    Tengku Ahmad TA, Jaafar F, Jubri Z, Abdul Rahim K, Rajab NF, Makpol S
    BMC Complement Altern Med, 2014;14:108.
    PMID: 24655584 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6882-14-108
    The interaction between ionizing radiation and substances in cells will induce the production of free radicals. These free radicals inflict damage to important biomolecules such as chromosomes, proteins and lipids which consequently trigger the expression of genes which are involved in protecting the cells or repair the oxidative damages. Honey has been known for its antioxidant properties and was used in medical and cosmetic products. Currently, research on honey is ongoing and diversifying. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of Gelam honey as a radioprotector in human diploid fibroblast (HDFs) which were exposed to gamma-rays by determining the expression of genes and proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and cell death.
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