Polysaccharide peptide (PsP) Ganoderma lucidum: a potential inducer for vascular repair in type 2 diabetes mellitus model

INTRODUCTION

The increasing blood glucose level due to insulin resistance which occurs in diabetes mellitus (DM) may cause vascular damage. This study aims to prove the effect of the polysaccharide peptide (PsP) Ganoderma lucidum on improving vascular damage through an increase of circulating endothelial cells and circulating endothelial cells (CEC) ratio, decreased H2O2, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and insulin resistance in type 2 DM.

METHODS

Our study is a true experimental study with randomized posttest control group design that used 35 Wistar rats divided into five groups: normal, control (+) and three groups of different variant PsP doses 50, 150 and 300 mg/kg BW (n=7).

RESULTS

By using one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Duncan test, the results show a significant increase of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) concentration (p=0.000) and ratio EPC:CEC (0.000) by dose-dependent fashion and also reduced CEC concentration (p=0.001), H2O2 (p=0.03), TG (p=0.001), TC (p=0.01) and insulin resistance (p=0.003).

CONCLUSION

In this study, PsP induced endothelial repairing process and reduced the risk factor with 300 mg/kg BW as optimum dose. However, further research on EPC and CEC detection markers is important. Further research on PsP and clinical trial for commercial uses is also needed.

Differences in senescence of late Endothelial Progenitor Cells in non-smokers and smokers

INTRODUCTION

Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) are part of hematopoietic stem cells that differentiate into endothelial cells during their blood vessels' maturation process. The role of EPCs is widely known to contribute to repair of the vascular wall when endothelial dysfunction occurs. However, various risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) influence EPC performance, leading to endothelial dysfunction. One EPC dysfunction is decreased amount of EPC mobilization to the injured tissue. EPC dysfunction reduces the angiogenetic function of EPCs. The vital maturation process that the EPCs must pass is the late phase. The dysfunction of late EPCs is known as senescence. This study aimed to identify and compare senescence of late EPCs, through CD62E and CD41 markers, in non-smokers and smokers as a risk factor for CVD.

METHODS

EPC collection was from peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in non-smokers (n=30) and smokers (n=31). The EPCs were then marked by CD62E/CD41 and senescence β-galactosidase assay using FACS. Identification of senescence cells was based on fluorescence with DAPI.

RESULTS

Positive percentage of late EPCs in non-smokers was not significantly different from that in smokers (p=0.014). The number of senescent late EPCs in smokers was higher than in non-smokers (p<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Endothelial progenitor cells that experienced senescence in the smokers showed EPC dysfunction, which resulted in decreased cell angiogenic function. Further research is needed to explain the mechanism of re-endothelialization failure in EPC dysfunction due to smoking.

Early Detection of Negative Smoking Impacts: Vascular Adaptation Deviation Based on Quantification of Circulated Endothelial Activation Markers

Introduction

Smoking can cause vascular damage in the form of an inflammatory reaction characterized by endothelial activation. Endothelial activation forms a pathological adaptation pattern so that it can induce the atherogenesis process. Several markers, such as E-selectin, platelet-derived micro particles (PMPs) and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) can identify the activation of endothelial in circulating blood. Therefore, the deviation of vascular adaptation due to smoking can be detected early through the feedback mechanism between E-selectin, PMPs, and HSC.

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the initial picture of the negative impact of smoking on vascular adaptation by measuring E-selectin, PMPs, and HSC in the peripheral blood circulation. Participant criteria and methods: Peripheral blood samples (5 mL) were taken from each participant, both the smoking group (n = 30) and the non-smoker group (n = 31) to obtain peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC). PBMNC was isolated using ficoll-based gradient centrifugation. The flow cytometry assay method used to measure the E-selectin, PMPs and hematopoietic stem cells.

Results

The mean of circulating E-selectin in smokers was higher than that of non-smokers. On the other hand, the average number of PMPs and HSCs in smokers was lower than non-smokers.

Conclusion

Smoking increases the risk of accelerated vascular block formation, as indicated by an increase in the amount of circulating E-selectin. The increase in E-selectin in the blood vessels mediates the increased adhesion of PMPs in the vascular area so that the number of circulating PMPs in smokers decreases. The decrease in circulating PMPs decreases the signal of vascular repair, which is characterized by a decline in the number of HSCs.

Epithelial thinning in vaginal atrophy related to lowering of calcitonin gene-related protein, vascular endothelial growth factor, and nerve growth factor expressions in a menopausal rat model

Context: Vaginal atrophy has been observed as a common sexual problem in post-menopausal women. The targeted protein to counteract menopause problems related to vaginal epithelial thinning is currently a research problem that has not been fully investigated. Aims: To explore the possible mechanism underlying vaginal atrophy in rat models. Methods: Following three-week ovariectomy (OVX), Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into two groups and orally administered estradiol for two weeks in the treated group. In parallel with this, six rats with sham surgery were used as control. Marker-related vaginal atrophy, including calcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the vaginal wall, were compared using immunohistochemistry. Results: OVX as a menopausal model significantly induced vaginal epithelial cell thinning and decreased the expression of CGRP, VEGF, and NGF compared with sham surgery animals (p<0.05). Estrogen replacement in OVX rats reversed the vaginal atrophic by recovering the protein expression CGRP, VEGF, and NGF (p<0.05). Conclusions: Thus, it may be concluded that a possible mechanism underlying the OVX-induced vaginal atrophy may be related to the downregulation expression of CGRP, VEGF, and NGF in vaginal tissue.

The primiparous IgA and IL-5 colostrum concentration based on maternal factor: corroborate the inflammation pathways to IgA colostrum synthesis

Background

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) plays a crucial role in the maturation the neonatal mucosal barrier. The accumulation of IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) in the lactating mammary gland facilitates the secretion of IgA antibodies into milk, which are then passively to the suckling newborn, providing transient immune protection against gastrointestinal pathogens. Physiologically, full-term infants are unable to produce IgA, required for mucosal barrier maturation for at least 10 days after birth. Prior studies declare that interleukin 5 (IL-5) responsible to encourage of IgA-producing B cells maturation during lactating periods.

Objective

This purpose of this study was determine IgA and IL-5 colostrum concentration based on maternal factors.

Study design

Ninety primiparous with full-term pregnancy and vaginal delivery were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. Colostrum samples were collected on the first day after delivery, followed by the measurement of IgA and IL-5 concentrations using ELISA. Sociodemographic and maternal factors were recorded based on participants' self-reports using a questionnaire.

Result

The results showed that mean of colostrum IgA concentration in primiparous 24.9 ± 0.3 years old (95%CI: 24.3-25.6) was 1.51 ± 0.15µg/mL, while colostrum IL-5 concentration was 82.37 ± 20.2pg/mL. The results showed that IgA levels were not significantly correlated with age, education, occupation, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), fish consumption, or smoking habits but were significantly related to baby sex disappointment and weight gain during pregnancy (P<.05). Meanwhile, the IL-5 concentration was significantly correlated with smoking habits, baby's birth weight, and maternal age.

Conclusion

The composition of IgA and IL-5 in breast milk is strongly associated with several maternal factors including baby sex disappointment, weight gain during pregnancy, smoking habits, baby's birth weight, and maternal age. This maternal factor corroborate the recently evidence refer to inflammatory pathways involvement in colostrum IgA synthesis.

A Critical Advantage of Hypnobirthing to Ameliorate Antenatal Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Pregnant women are likely to experience depression due to various factors. Hypnobirthing is a non-invasive therapy that can be used to treat depression during pregnancy. This study aims to systematically review the effect of hypnobirthing on antenatal depression.

METHODS

This study employs a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, and hand searches. Articles were included for review if they met the following inclusion criteria: (1) published in the last ten years (2014-2024); (2) the articles published in English; (3) article types are original research articles and reviews; (4) the full text can be retrieved; and (5) the findings of the selected articles should discuss the effect of hypnobirthing or hypnosis for birth. Articles were critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute tools.

RESULTS

The initial search yielded 7603 records; nine studies met the inclusion criteria for systematic review, and four studies for meta-analysis. The articles were analyzed, and findings were presented in narrative ways and categorized into three themes: the effect of therapy, the administration of the therapy, and the mechanism of the therapy. The therapy was performed by different methods, involving hypnosis, daily relaxation, progressive muscle relaxation, breathing exercises, the J-breathing technique, meditation, visualization, and ego strengthening. Additionally, participants were encouraged to do self-practice at home and were followed up by personal visits, phone calls, or text messages.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of the studies found that hypnobirthing ameliorated antenatal depression, despite the variation in initial administration and the duration of therapy. Further research is needed to standardize therapy protocols and explore long-term outcomes.