Background: The neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a family of polypeptides that play critical role during neuronal development, appear to mediate protective role on neurorepair in ischemic stroke. Naturally in adult brain neurorepair process consist of: angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and neuronal plasticity, it can also be stimulated by endogenous neurorepair. In this study we observed correlation between NGF and BDNF ischemic stroke patient's onset: 7-30 and over 30 days. Methods: This is cross sectional study on 46 subjects aged 38 -74 years old with ischemic stroke from The Indonesian Central Hospital of Army Gatot Subroto Jakarta. Diagnosis of ischemic stroke was made using clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by neurologist. Subjects were divided into 2 groups based on stroke onset: 7 -30 days (Group A: 19 subjects) and > 30 days (Group B: 27 Subjects). Serum NGF levels were measured with ELISA method and BDNF levels were measured using multiplex method with Luminex Magpix. Results: Levels of NGF and BDNF were significantly different between onset group A and B (NGF p= 0.022, and BDNF p=0.008), with mean levels NGF in group A higher than group B, indicating that BDNF levels is lower in group A than group B. There was no significant correlation between NGF and BDNF levels in all groups. Conclusion:The variations in neurotrophic factor levels reflect an endogenous attempt at neuroprotection against biochemical and molecular changes after ischemic stroke. NGF represents an early marker of brain injury while BDNF recovery is most prominent during the first 14 days after onsite but continuous for more than 30 days. There is no significant correlation between NGF and BDNF in each group.

Introduction Low-grade chronic inflammation has emerged as a key pathogenic link between high-fat diet (HFD)–induced obesity and the increased risk of chronic diseases. Evidence has shown that HFDs may induce inflammation in the central nervous system and peripheral tissues. Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) is a product of various cells that is known to be an inflammatory marker. This study investigated whether a HFD could induce obesity and increase the level of MCP-1 in Wistar rats. Methods The Wistar rats were randomized into two groups: normal diet (ND) and HFD (n = 12 per group). Both groups were fed for 8 and 16 weeks, thus dividing the rats into 4 arms: ND8, ND16, HFD8, and HFD16 (n = 6 per sub-group). Obesity in rats was measured using the Lee index. Blood samples were taken to measure the level of MCP-1. Results Our results showed that obesity did not occur in the group with a normal diet (ND8 and ND16). However, in the HFD group (HFD8 and HFD16), 4 of the 6 rats became obese. However, MCP-1 was significantly higher among non-obese rats in the HFD group compared with the ND group (p < 0.001). Conclusion HFDs have been shown to increase the risk of obesity. In addition, increases in circulating MCP-1 were significantly different between Wistar rats given a HFD compared with the ND group.

The woodbark of Mezzetia parviflora Becc. (Annonaceae) used as traditional herbal remedies in Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, which is traditionally used for tumor, asthma, cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus. The diseases have been linked to cellular damages due to free radical activity. Aims: The present study was aimed to examine the antioxidant activity of M. parviflora; furthermore to ascertain the physicochemical identity and major compound that responsible for extract's quality and activity. Methods and Material: The ethanolic extract of M. parviflora and its partition results which are acetone extract and insoluble in acetone extract were studied for antioxidant activity on different in vitro models namely 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and nitric oxide (NO) method. Ascorbic acid was also evaluated for comparison. Thin layer chromatography and acid-buthanol assay were used to detect the presence of phenolic compounds. Results: All of the extracts were effectively scavenge the DPPH radical. The IC50 of insoluble in acetone extract, ethanolic extract, and acetone extract were 21.79, 30.22, 60.73, and 262.55 μg/ml, respectively. The insoluble in acetone extract show greater DPPH radical scavenging than ascorbic acid (IC50 30.22 μg/ml). Meanwhile, the extracts showed low scavenging activities on NO radical with IC50 of insoluble in acetone extract, and ethanolic extract were 229.09, and 316.23 μg/ml, respectively. The high percentage of phenolic condensed tannin in the insoluble in acetone extract i.e 26.46±0.315 μg/mg of extract (calculated as quebracho tannin) justify the potent antioxidant activity. Conclusions: Woodbark extracts of Mezzetia parviflora Becc. has potent antioxidant activity which is related to their condensed tannin content.

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF21) is known as an important endocrine and paracrine regulator of metabolic homeostasis. Recent studies have shown that FGF21 attenuates lipolysis in human adipocytes, which is suggested as a FGF21's mechanism as anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemia and anti-obesity. The aim of this study was to measure the correlation between FGF21, FFA, hsCRP and HOMA-IR among Indonesian obese non diabetic males.METHOD: The study was observational with cross sectional design. The analysis was done in 137 subjects aged 30-60 years with non diabetic abdominal obesity. We measured the biochemical markers FGF21, FFA, hsCRP, fasting insulin and fasting glucose. We also measured weight, height, waist circumrefence (WC), creatinine, serum glutamin oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Correlation between markers was measured using Pearson and Spearman's analysis.  RESULT: There were significant positive correlations between FGF21-HOMA-IR (r=0.314, p=0.000); FGF21-WC (r=0.173, p=0.043); FFA=hsCRP (r=0.270, p=0.001); and WC-HOMA-IR (r=0.279, p=0.001). There was significant negative correlation between FGF21-FFA (r=-0.038, p=0.657) and FGF21-hsCRP (r=-0.061, p=0.482). CONCLUSION: In this study we found that although there was no significant correlation, FGF21 might act as an anti-lipolytic and anti-inflammation agent among Indonesian obese non-diabetic males. Our findings agree with results of previous studies that the positive correlation between FGF21-WC and FGF21-HOMA-IR moght occur as a compensatory mechanism or resistance to FGF21 in obesity.KEYWORDS: Obesity, FGF21, FFA, hsCRP, HOMA-IR

Introduction: Our aim was to re-evaluate the roles of HLA-DRB1 alleles on susceptibility, severity, activity and chronicity index of lupus erythematosus nephritis in Indonesia. Materials and Methods: A total of 55 lupus nephritis patients and 52 healthy subjects as control were analyzed. HLA-DRB1 alleles examination was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by electrophoresis. Differences in HLA-DRB1 allele frequencies between lupus nephritis group and healthy group, between mild and severe lupus nephritis, and between high and low activity and chronicity index were analysed using Chi-square test, presented as odds ratio (OR). Results were considered significant at P value less than 0.05. Results: HLA-DRB1*1501 was a susceptible allele for lupus nephritis group (OR=3.18; p=0.010). HLA-DRB1*1501 was also a susceptible allele for high activity index (OR=7.4; p=0.006). Although not statistically significant, HLA-DRB1*1501 was a susceptible allele for high chronicity index (OR=3.2; p=0.07). We found HLA-DRB1*0401 was a protective allele against severe class of lupus nephritis (OR=9.4; p=0.029). Conclusion: HLA-DRB1*1501 was a susceptible allele for lupus erythematosus nephritis with high activity and chronicity index. HLA-DRB1*0401 was a protective allele against severe class of lupus nephritis.