ABSTRACT
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome is associated with low-grade, chronic inflammation. Our study aimed to evaluate the effects of tocotrienols supplementation on cytokines and lipid profile in adults with metabolic syndrome. Method: In a 16-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 70 adults with metabolic syndrome aged 20-60 years were randomly assigned to a mixed tocotrienols group (n=35) that received 400mg/day of mixed tocotrienols or a placebo group (n=35) that received capsules containing soy bean oil. At baseline, week 8 and week 16, anthropometric, body composition and blood pressure measurements were conducted. At baseline and week 16 only, serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, plasma levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumouxr necrosis factor- a (TNF-a), leptin, adiponectin and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were also determined. Changes in dietary intake and physical activity level between baseline, week 8 and week 16 were also assessed. Results:In the tocotrienols group, significant reductions from baseline were found in diastolic blood pressure (p=0.001), TC (p=0.008), LDL-cholesterol (p=0.022), HDL-cholesterol (p<0.001), IL-6 (p=0.024) and TNF-a (p=0.013) at week sixteen. However, the changes in the tocotrienols group were not significantly different from those of the placebo group. Conclusion: The 16-week mixed tocotrienols supplementation exerted potential beneficial effects on cytokines and lipid profile in adults with metabolic syndrome. The results might have been confounded by the physiological effects produced by the soy bean oil in the placebo capsule.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) as defined by the latest Harmonised definition and the agreement between the Harmonised definition and other definitions is poorly studied among Malaysians. This study was conducted to determine and compare the prevalence of MetSyn according to the Harmonised, International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP ATPIII) definitions among Malay staff of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). Methods: Subjects aged between 20 to 65 years were recruited by convenient sampling. Waist circumference, blood pressure, lipid profiles and fasting plasma glucose levels were assessed. The agreement between the Harmonised and other definitions was determined by Kappa statistics. Results: A total of 227 subjects with a mean ± SD age of 37.9±9.6 years participated in the study. The overall prevalence of MetSyn was 38.3%, 38.8% and 33.5% according to Harmonised, IDF and NCEP ATP III definitions, respectively. Generally, men had higher prevalence of MetSyn than women. The prevalence increased with age in both genders with a more progressive trend in women. Men in the age group of 20-39 years had a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome. A strong agreement was found between the Harmonised and the IDF definitions (Kappa index=0.991), and between the Harmonised and the NCEP ATP III definitions (Kappa index=0.857). Conclusion: Regardless of definitions used, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the study, especially in young men, was high and warrants further investigation. The Harmonised definition is suitable for diagnosing metabolic syndrome in any population with similar sociodemographic characteristics.
ABSTRACT
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide and in Malaysia. It has better cure rate if detected early. However, the practice of breast cancer screening in Malaysia is still low. The objective of this study is to determine the knowledge and its associated factors as well as sources of information on breast cancer and breast cancer screening among female staff in a public university in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study conducted in 2005 involving 394 female staff including academic and non-academic staff, which was selected by cluster sampling. A self-administered questionnaire on socioeconomic characteristics and family history of breast cancer was used for data collection. Chi-square Test and Fisher’s Exact Test was used for testing an association using SPSS 12.0. Results: The response rate was 84.3%. Only 50.9% had high knowledge on breast cancer and breast cancer screening and this was significantly associated with occupational status, monthly family income and educational level (p<0.05). The usual source of information was mass media (92.2%) while the most preferred source is the health team (71.4%). Conclusion: As mass media was a major source of information, all types of mass media could efficiently be utilized to disseminate knowledge by presenting specific programmes associated with breast cancer and breast cancer screening.