METHODS: Thirty-two female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: Sham-operated (Sham), ovariectomized control (OVXC), ovariectomized with Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva) and ovariectomized with ERT (Premarin) (ERT). The LPva and ERT were administered via daily oral gavages at doses of 17.5 mg/kg and 64.5 μg/kg, respectively. Following two months of treatment, the rats were euthanized and the gene expressions of BMP-2, OPG, RANKL and MCSF in the femoral bones were measured using a branch - DNA technique.
RESULTS: The RANKL gene expression was increased while the OPG and BMP-2 gene expressions were reduced in the OVXC group compared to the SHAM group. There were no significant changes in the MCSF gene expressions among the groups. Treatment with either LPva or ERT was able to prevent these ovariectomy-induced changes in the gene expressions in ovariectomized rats with similar efficacy.
CONCLUSION: LPva may protect bone against estrogen deficiency-induced changes by regulating the RANKL, OPG and BMP-2 gene expressions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Post-COVID-19 clinic attendees, consisting of post-COVID-19 patients discharged from major hospitals in the state of Selangor during the third pandemic wave of COVID-19 in Malaysia, were enrolled in this retrospective study for 6 months. Physician-scored Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC), patient self-reported quality of life (EQ-VAS) score and follow-up CT scan were evaluated.
RESULTS: Our cohort comprised 131 patients, with a median age of 52 (IQR 39-60) years and median BMI of 29.40 (IQR 25.59-34.72). Majority (72.5%) had co-morbidities, and 97.7% had severe disease requiring supplementary oxygen support during the acute COVID-19 episode. 56.5% required intensive care; among which one-third were invasively ventilated. Median equivalent dose of methylprednisolone prescribed was 2.60 (IQR 1.29-5.18) mg/kg during admission, while the median prednisolone dose upon discharge was 0.64 (IQR 0.51-0.78) mg/kg. It was tapered over a median of 8.0 (IQR 5.8-9.0) weeks. Upon follow-up at 11 (IQR 8-15) weeks, one-third of patients remained symptomatic, with cough, fatigue and dyspnoea being the most reported symptoms. mMRC and EQ-VAS scores improved significantly (p<0.001) during follow-up. Repeat CT scans were done in 59.5% of patients, with 94.8% of them demonstrating improvement. In fact, 51.7% had complete radiological resolution. Intensive care admission and mechanical ventilation are among the factors which were associated with poorer radiological outcomes, p<0.05.
CONCLUSION: Approximately one-third of patients with SARSCoV- 2-related OP remained symptomatic at 3 months of follow-up. Majority demonstrated favourable radiological outcomes at 5-month reassessment, except those who required intensive care unit admission and mechanical ventilation.
METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Wanfang and VIP databases in May 2023. Studies on the effects of resveratrol in animal models of OA written in English or Mandarin, published from the inception of databases until the date of the search were considered.
RESULTS: Fifteen eligibility studies were included and analysed. Resveratrol was shown to inhibit the secretion of interleukin-1β, tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, nitric oxide, and apoptosis of articular chondrocytes. Joint structure as indicated by Mankin scores was restored with resveratrol in animal OA models.
CONCLUSION: Resveratrol is a potential therapeutic agent for OA based on animal studies. Further evidence from well-planned human studies would be required to validate its clinical efficacies.
OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this study was to analyze the formulation of red palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq), koja bay leaves (Murraya koenigii L Spreng), and passion fruit seeds (Passiflora edulis Sims) to improve lipid profile, antioxidant activity, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), and lipase enzyme activity of Sprague-Dawley rats.
METHODS: This study was an in vivo and pre-post experimental study, starting with analyzing flavonoid of the three extract ingredients, then tested by giving it to rats for 14 days and ending with induction administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for two days. This pre-post study on animals involved 36 rats divided into 6 groups. At the end of the study, termination and examination of malondialdehyde, lipid profile, glucose, BDNF, lipase enzyme activity and histopathological examination were carried out.
RESULTS: The study results showed that there were significant values in several parameters, which were body weight, LDL, LDL/HDL ratio, BDNF, and lipase enzyme activity especially in the group of rats given LPS and the group with high calories-fat-protein. This study showed that there were significant differences in body weight, LDL levels, and LDL/HDL ratio in each group of rats, especially in the group given the formulation of the three extract ingredients, the significant dose showed in 300mg/kg body weight (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: The formulation of red palm oil, koja bay leaves, and passion fruit seeds showed significant reduction in LDL levels, LDL/HDL ratio, BDNF, and lipase enzyme activity.
INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis management poses a substantial healthcare challenge, necessitating effective strategies and Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) adherence.
METHODS: The study employed a self-administered online questionnaire via Google Forms. Orthopedic clinicians from all study sites were invited to participate via messaging platforms. A total of 135 participants completed the questionnaire and the data was proceeded to statistical analyses.
RESULTS: The study identified significant barriers, including inadequate knowledge of current osteoporosis guidelines and medications (p = 0.014), limited choice of anti-osteoporosis medication (p
PURPOSE: Osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) is a convenient screening algorithm used widely to identify patients at risk of osteoporosis. Currently, the number of studies validating OSTA in Malaysian population is limited. This study aimed to validate the performance of OSTA in identifying subjects with osteoporosis determined with DXA.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 786 Malaysians in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Their bone health status was assessed by DXA and OSTA. The association and agreement between OSTA and bone mineral density assessment by DXA were determined by Pearson's correlation and Cohen's kappa, respectively. Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves were used to determine the sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) for OSTA.
RESULTS: OSTA and DXA showed a fair association in the study (r = 0.382, κ = 0.159, p