This study investigated the effects of a tocotrienol-rich fraction (TTRF) on the microscopic development of atherosclerosis and lipid peroxidation in the aorta of rabbits. Group 1 was fed a normal diet, group 2 received a 2% cholesterol diet and group 3 received a 2% cholesterol diet plus daily oral administration of the TTRF. After 10 weeks, the aortic content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured as an index of lipid peroxidation. The MDA was lowest in rabbits that received the TTRF compared to the groups that did not. The degree of intimal thickening was higher in the cholesterol-fed rabbits without the TTRF compared to the cholesterol-fed rabbits with TTRF (P<0.05). The continuity of the internal elastic lamina (IEL) was noted to be preserved in the cholesterol-fed rabbits with TTRF but appeared disrupted in the cholesterol-fed rabbits without the TTRF. The disrupted and fragmented IEL may have resulted from the injury caused by lipid peroxidation that contributed to the more extensive intimal thickening. We conclude that the antioxidant activities of the TTRF can reduce experimental atherosclerosis.
A study was carried out to produce polyurethane (PU) as a wood laminating adhesive from liquefied kenaf core (LKC) polyols by reacting it with toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). The LKC polyurethane (LKCPU) adhesive has a molecular weight (MW) of 2666, viscosity of 5370 mPa s, and solids content of 86.9%. The average shear strength of the rubberwood (RW) bonded with LKCPU adhesive was 2.9 MPa. Most of the sheared specimens experienced a total adhesive failure. The formation of air bubbles through the liberation of carbon dioxide was observed to reduce the adhesive penetration and bonding strength which was obviously seen on the sheared specimens. The percentage of catalyst used can be varied based on the usage and working time needed. Nonetheless, the physical properties of LKCPU produced in this work had shown good potential as edge-bonding adhesive.