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@#Introduction: This study investigated the combined effects of bee pollen and resistance training on aerobic capacity, muscular performance, antioxidant status, and bone metabolism markers among young men. Methods: Forty young men were randomly assigned into four groups: sedentary control (C), bee pollen supplementation (BP), resistance training (RT), and combined bee pollen supplementation and resistance training (BPRT) groups. Bee pollen was consumed by participants in BP and BPRT groups (1500 mg daily for eight weeks). Resistance training was performed thrice per week for eight weeks in RT and BPRT groups. Participants’ anthropometry, aerobic capacity, isokinetic muscular peak torque (strength), and average power were measured. Concentrations of serum total antioxidant status (TAS), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP) were determined. Results: After eight weeks of intervention, there was a significant decrease in 1CTP in BP group. In RT group, significant increases were observed in both muscular strength and power. In BPRT group, significant increases in both muscular strength and power, and a significant decrease in 1CTP were observed after 8 weeks. There were no significant changes in aerobic capacity, serum TAS, SOD, and ALP in all the study groups. Conclusion: Resistance training using dumbbells and elastic bands seemed to elicit beneficial effects on muscular strength and power, while bee pollen supplementation alone reduced the level of bone resorption marker. In addition, combining bee pollen with resistance training seemed to offer additive benefit in muscular strength and power.
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BACKGROUND: Progression of diabetic retinopathy post cataract surgery is related to the increased level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ocular fluid post operatively. The aim of this study was to compare the VEGF level in tears post phacoemulsification between non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and non-diabetic patients. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study and was conducted from June 2017 to May 2019. Patients with underlying NPDR who were planned for phacoemulsification were recruited in this study. Non-diabetic patients who were planned for phacoemulsification were included as control group. Tears samples were collected using Schirmer strip two weeks prior to operation, at day (D) 7 and D30 post phacoemulsification. Tears samples were analyzed for VEGF level. RESULTS: A total of 65 patients were recruited in this study (NPDR: 32 and control: 33). There was significant increase of VEGF levels in tears from pre operation to D7 post phacoemulsification in NPDR (p < 0.001) and control (p < 0.001). There was also significant reduction of tear VEGF level from D7 to D30 post phacoemulsification in both groups (p < 0.001 in NPDR and p = 0.027 in control). The tear VEGF level was significantly higher in NPDR group compared to control at D7 post phacoemulsification (149.4 SD 55.2 pg/mL vs 109.7 SD 48.7 pg/mL, p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: VEGF level in tears showed significant elevation post early cataract surgery in NPDR compared to non-diabetic patient. Therefore, tears VEGF level may provide as a non-invasive method to predict progression of diabetic retinopathy post operation among diabetic patients.
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@#Introduction: Increased nociceptive responses were shown in the offspring of prenatally stressed rats. Reports have demonstrated the anti-nociceptive effects of Tualang honey in the rat offspring. The present study was done to determine whether the modulation of nociceptive behaviour by Tualang honey was mediated by modulating changes in the histology, oxidative stress parameters and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the thalamus of the rat offspring. Methods: Eighteen Sprague Dawley pregnant rats were randomly assigned to control (C), stress (S) and stress-treated with Tualang honey (SH) groups. Stress was given in a form of restraint stress.Tualang honey was given to SH group from first day of pregnancy until delivery. Thirty-three adult male offspring were subjected to formalin test before they were sacrificed. Nociceptive behaviour score, number of neurons, level of oxidative stress parameters and NMDA receptors in the thalamus were analysed by using one-way ANOVA. Results: The study demonstrated a significant decrease in mean nociceptive behaviour score (p<0.05) with lower malondialdehyde (MDA, p<0.05) and higher superoxide dismutase SOD and catalase levels in the thalamus of SH group compared to S group (p<0.05). There was also increased Nissl positive neurons in the thalamus of SH group compared to S group. There was no significant difference in NMDA receptor level between S and SH groups. Conclusion: The modulation of nociceptive responses in the prenatally stressed rat offspring by Tualang honey was associated with improvement in oxidative stress parameters and histology of the thalamus in the rat offspring exposed to prenatal stress.
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OBJECTIVE: Detection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels in ocular tissue may perhaps provide insight into the role of VEGF in the pathogenesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of VEGF in tears and serum amongst type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2016 and May 2018 involving type 2 DM patients with no DR, non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR). Tear samples were collected using no.41 Whatman filter paper (Schirmer strips) and 5 mL blood samples were drawn by venous puncture. VEGF levels in tears and serum were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: A total of 88 type 2 DM patients (no DR: 30 patients, NPDR: 28 patients, PDR: 30 patients) were included in the study. Mean tear VEGF levels were significantly higher in the NPDR and PDR groups (114.4 SD 52.5 pg/mL and 150.8 SD 49.7 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the no DR group (40.4 SD 26.5 pg/mL, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the mean serum VEGF levels between the three groups. There was a fair correlation between serum and tear VEGF levels (p = 0.015, r = 0.263). CONCLUSION: VEGF levels in tears were significantly higher amongst diabetic patients with DR compared to those without DR and were significantly associated with the severity of DR. There was a fair correlation between serum and tear VEGF levels. Detection of VEGF in tears is a good non-invasive predictor test for the severity of DR. A large cohort study is needed for further evaluation.
