AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was performed to determine underlying mechanism of G. procumbens ethanol extract and its fractions such as aqueous, chloroform, ethyl acetate and hexane affect macrophage derived foam cell formation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lipid droplets accumulation in treated macrophages were visualized by Oil Red O staining while the total cholesterol present in the treated macrophages were measured using Cholestryl Ester quantification assay kit. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) were used to detect TNF-α and IL-1β secretion in the supernatant of treated macrophages. Gene expression of Lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter A-1 (ABCA-1) in treated macrophages were analyzed using Real-Time Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR).
RESULTS: G. procumbens ethanol extract and its fractions reduced lipid droplet accumulation and total cholesterol in oxLDL-treated macrophages together with significantly reduction of TNF-α and IL-1β secretions in supernatant oxLDL-treated macrophages. LOX-1 gene expression was significantly reduced when G. procumbens ethanol extract and its fractions were added in oxDL-treated macrophages. In contrast, G. procumbens ethanol extract and its fractions significantly increased the expression of ABCA-1 gene in oxLDL-treated macrophages.
CONCLUSION: In conclusion, G. procumbens ethanol extract and its fractions inhibit the formation of macrophage derived foam cell by reducing TNF-α and IL-1β expression, which usually highly expressed in atherosclerotic plaques, suppressing scavenger receptor LOX-1 gene that binds oxLDL but induced ABCA-1 gene that mediate lipid efflux from macrophages.
METHODS: We searched Pubmed, Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for relevant articles published up to 19 February 2022. Data were extracted and summary estimates of the association between vaspin rs2236242 and T2DM and obesity were assessed. Odds ratios (ORs) and confidence intervals (CIs) were used to measure the effect.
RESULTS: This meta-analysis included 2206 cases and 2715 controls in the T2DM cohort, meanwhile 271 cases and 444 controls in the obesity cohort. The pooled estimates revealed no link between vaspin rs2236242 and T2DM, but allele-A was significantly higher in the controls of the obesity cohort, showing that this single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) has a reduced obesity risk effect. Sensitivity analysis revealed no studies that would modify the estimates or the heterogeneity. Begg and Mazumdar's and Egger's tests indicated no substantial publication bias.
CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis provides evidence of significant association between vaspin rs2236242 and reduced risk of obesity but not T2DM.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-022-01119-8.
METHODS: A cross-sectional, self-reported, web-based questionnaire was conducted among 500 adults between February and March 2020. Questionnaire items pertained to the knowledge and attitudes toward liver-related health and diseases.
RESULTS: Half of the respondents were aged ≥35 years and 52.0% were males. Gaps in knowledge included the lack of awareness of different types of hepatitis, including the potential transmission risks and complications of HBV and HCV. About half acknowledged liver fibrosis and cirrhosis as key determinants of liver-related disease progression. A higher proportion rightly recognized the diagnostic test for HCV (40.8%) than HBV (30.0%) despite more being aware of HBV than HCV. Less than one-third were aware of the risk factors, screening tests, and complications of NAFLD. Despite the majority (92.8%) agreeing that regular screening was important for liver health, only 67.0% attended recent health screening and one-fifth were unlikely to seek medical consultation upon exposure to viral hepatitis risk factors. Reasons for this low urgency included the perception of being healthy, cost-related concerns, and societal discrimination.
CONCLUSION: Robust education efforts are needed to raise awareness and empower the community with knowledge of liver-related diseases, particularly viral hepatitis and NAFLD in Malaysia.