zaida zainal

Bovine chondrocyte cell cultures represent an experimental system that can be used to study arthritis in vitro and this was used in the work reported here. The relative effectiveness of different fatty acids in reducing inflammatory responses was studied using these cultures. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) proved to be most effective n-3 PUFA compared to docosahexaenoic (DHA) or alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), in suppressing the levels of mRNA for pro-inflammatory proteins (COX-2, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-1alpha), aggrecanases (ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3 and MMP-13) in the bovine monolayer cultures which had been induced by IL-1alpha. Arachidonic acid (AA), an n-I6 PUFA, had no effect on these mRNA levels. Similarly, hydrolysed palm olein had no consistent affect, showing that neither of these fatty acid preparations could be regarded as anti-inflammatory. Microscopic examination of the cells in culture showed some evidence for destructive effects on IL-1alpha stimulation and this was reduced by EPA. Moreover, this was confirmed when GAG release was examined. The latter was increased by IL-1alpha exposure and this was reduced by n-3 PUFAs with EPA being the most effective. To increase the potential value of palm olein products, the n-3 PUFAs, alpha-linolenic acid and EPA were incorporated into palm olein through lipase-catalyzed interesterification reactions. Palm olein, which had been modified with EPA, was tested for its anti-inflammatory properties. It was found to reduce GAG release, and the levels of mRNA for various inflammatory proteins (COX-2, TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta) and the proteinase ADAMTS-4. These results showed that it is possible to modify palm olein by interesterification to yield an oil with improved nutritional properties.

Burns are injuries on the skin or other tissues. Burns are divided into superficial, partial, and full-thickness, characterized by the depth of the affected tissues. Histological analysis is critical to assess the burn wound healing process. Thus, a systematic evaluation system is imperative for burn research. In the present study, a total of thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups. Deep partial-thickness burn wound was induced on the dorsal part of the rats. Six animals from each group were sacrificed on the 3rd, 7th, 11th, 14th and 21st day post-burn, respectively. Half of the wound tissue was immediately fixed in buffered neutral formalin for hematoxylin & eosin staining. The healing of the epidermis was evaluated with scores ranging from 0 to 7 based on the state of crust on wound surface, the degree of epithelialization as well as the formation of rete ridges. Meanwhile, healing of the dermis was also evaluated with scores ranging from 0 to 7 according...

Skin, as the largest organ of the body, acts as a barrier against the surroundings. It plays an important protective as well as reparative function in the body. When an injury occurs, either acute or chronic, our body automatically sets in motion dynamic and multiple steps of processes at the injured site (Akbik et al., 2014) as illustrated in Figure 1. Wound repair takes an intricate course, but there is distinctively concerted interaction among inflammatory cells and related growth, forming an important coordination of the intricate phases of wound repair (Öztürk and Ermertcan, 2011). Over the years, the stages of wound repair have been well-documented. Palm Tocotrienol: A Good Antioxidant for Skin Wound Healing

Our previous study has demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) with tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) cream formulation accelerating postburn wound healing with deep partial-thickness burn in rats. Current study was conducted to determine the gene expression levels related to burn wound healing process. A total of 180 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: untreated control, treated with Silverdin cream, base cream, base cream with 0.00075% EGF, base cream with 3% TRF or base cream with 0.00075% EGF, and 3% TRF, respectively. Burn wounds were created and the above-mentioned creams were applied once daily. Six animals from each group were sacrificed on days 3, 7, 11, 14, and 21 postburn. RNA was extracted from wound tissues and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the 9 wound healing-related genes against time postburn. Results demonstrated that topically applied EGF + TRF formulation downregulated the expression levels of ...

Background: An experimental study was undertaken to determine the efficacy of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) with tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) cream in the wound-healing process on skin with deep partial-thickness burn in rats. Methods: A total of 180 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups of six each and were: untreated control, treated with Silverdin® cream, base cream, base cream with c% EGF, base cream with 3% TRF or base cream with c% EGF and 3% TRF, respectively. Creams were applied once daily for 21 consecutive days. Six animals from each group were sacrificed using anaesthetic overdose on the third, seventh, 11th, 14th and 21st day post-burn. Skin tissues with the wound to be examined were excised for macroscopic and microscopic evaluation and biochemical analyses. Results: EGF + TRF formulation decreased the number of neutrophils, lymphocytes and myofibroblasts post-burn. However, no effects on the number of adipose cells in the healing process were...

This study investigated the effects of vitamins D and E on an insulin-resistant model and hypothesized that this treatment would reverse the effects of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and improves insulin signalling. An insulin-resistant model was induced in SK-N-SH neuronal cells with a treatment of 250 nM insulin and re-challenged with 100 nM at two different incubation time (16 h and 24 h). The effects of vitamin D (10 and 20 ng/mL), vitamin E in the form of tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) (200 ng/mL) and the combination of vitamins D and E on insulin signalling markers (IR, PI3K, GLUT3, GLUT4, and p-AKT), glucose uptake and AD markers (GSK3β and TAU) were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results demonstrated an improvement of the insulin signalling pathway upon treatment with vitamin D alone, with significant increases in IR, PI3K, GLUT3, GLUT4 expression levels, as well as AKT phosphorylation...

Background Burns are injuries that lie on the skin or other organic tissues caused by exposures to the heat, electricity, chemicals or ionizing radiation. The present study was carried out to record temporal changes in the cell population and wound healing-related gene expression in rats with deep partial-thickness burn. Methods Burn wound was induced on the dorsal part of Sprague-Dawley rats using temperature-regulated 20-mm wide aluminum head heating device. Animals were then sacrificed on days three, seven, 11, 14 and 21 post-burn, respectively. Half of the wounded skin tissues were dissected and fixed in buffered neutral formalin for Hematoxylin & Eosin (H&E) staining, and the other half were cut off and stored in − 20 °C for real-time PCR analyses. Results The number of adipose cells was found to be maximal on the 3rd day post-burn, and it gradually decreased over time and completely disappeared on day 11 post-burn. The maximum number of neutrophils were found to be on the 3rd ...

Bovine chondrocyte cell cultures represent an experimental system that can be used to study arthritis in vitro and this was used in the work reported here. The relative effectiveness of different fatty acids in reducing inflammatory responses was studied using these cultures. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) proved to be most effective n-3 PUFA compared to docosahexaenoic (DHA) or alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), in suppressing the levels of mRNA for pro-inflammatory proteins (COX-2, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, TNF-1alpha), aggrecanases (ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-3 and MMP-13) in the bovine monolayer cultures which had been induced by IL-1alpha. Arachidonic acid (AA), an n-I6 PUFA, had no effect on these mRNA levels. Similarly, hydrolysed palm olein had no consistent affect, showing that neither of these fatty acid preparations could be regarded as anti-inflammatory. Microscopic examination of the cells in culture showed some evidence for destructive effects on IL-1al...

Diet plays a major role in the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), hypertension and stroke, and some types of cancer. Extensive scientific investigation has been carried out on diets to discover the possible functional properties and in particular, the role of antioxidants in preventing degenerative diseases. One such antioxidant is vitamin E, which made up of two classes of compounds: Tocopherols (Toc) and tocotrienols (T3) (Figure 1).

Palm puree is rich in antioxidants and is produced via blending various proportions of mesocarp fibre and crude palm oil. The aim of this study was to assess the acute and subchronic toxicity of palm puree in male and female Sprague–Dawley rats. For the acute toxicity study, animals administered single palm-puree doses (2000 mg kg−1) by gavage were observed daily for 14 d. For the subchronic toxicity study, the rats were administered 500, 1000, or 2000 mg kg−1 palm puree daily for 28 d. We evaluated body and organ weights; performed haematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses of blood and organ samples during and after treatment; and calculated the oral no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL). The toxicity studies showed no signs of toxicity or mortality. The haematological, biochemical, and histopathological analyses and body and organ weights indicated no evidence of substantial toxicity at any dose of palm puree. The oral lethal dose and NOAEL for the palm puree ...

The tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) from palm oil contains vitamin E, which possesses potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic joint inflammatory disease characterised by severe joint pain, cartilage destruction, and bone erosion owing to the effects of various pro-inflammatory mediators and cytokines. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of TRF in a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Arthritis was induced by a single intradermal injection of collagen type II in Dark Agouti (DA) rats. Rats were then treated with or without TRF by oral gavage from day 28 after the first collagen injection. Arthritic rats supplemented with TRF showed decreased articular index scores, ankle circumferences, paw volumes, and radiographic scores when compared with untreated rats. The untreated arthritic rats showed higher plasma C-reactive protein levels (p 

Synthetic therapeutic drugs for asthma, a chronic airway inflammation characterised by strong eosinophil, mast cell, and lymphocyte infiltration, mucus hyper-production, and airway hyper-responsiveness, exhibit numerous side effects. Alternatively, the high antioxidant potential of palm oil phytonutrients, including vitamin E (tocotrienol-rich fractions; TRF) and carotene, may be beneficial for alleviating asthma. Here, we determined the therapeutic efficacy of TRF, carotene, and dexamethasone in ovalbumin-challenged allergic asthma in Brown Norway rats. Asthmatic symptoms fully developed within 8 days after the second sensitization, and were preserved throughout the time course via intranasal ovalbumin re-challenge. Asthmatic rats were then orally administered 30 mg/kg body weight TRF or carotene. TRF-treated animals exhibited reduced inflammatory cells in bronchial alveolar lavage fluid. TRF- and carotene-treated rats exhibited notable white blood cell reduction comparable to that...

Palm oil is one of the most important edible oils in the world. Its composition (rich in palmitate and oleate) make it suitable for general food uses but its utility could be increased if its fatty acid quality could be varied. In this study, we have modified a palm olein fraction by transesterification with the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, alpha-linolenate or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Evaluation of the potential nutritional efficacy of the oils was made using chondrocyte culture systems which can be used to mimic many of the degenerative and inflammatory pathways involved in arthritis. On stimulation of such cultures with interleukin-1alpha, they showed increased expression of cyclooxygenase-2, the inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), IL-1alpha and IL-1beta and the proteinase ADAMTS-4. This increased expression was not affected by challenge of the cultures with palm olein alone but showed concentration-dependent reduction by the modified oil in a manner similar to EPA. These results show clearly that it is possible to modify palm oil conveniently to produce a nutraceutical with effective anti-inflammatory properties.