It has been demonstrated that probiotic supplementation has positive effects in several murine models of disease through influences on host immune responses. This study examined the effect of Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (L. casei Shirota) on the blood glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), and body weight among STZ-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg BW) in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Streptozotocin caused a significant increase in the blood glucose levels, CRP, and IL-6. L. casei Shirota supplementation lowered the CRP and IL-6 levels but had no significant effect on the blood glucose levels, body weight, or IL-4. Inflammation was determined histologically. The presence of the innate immune cells was not detectable in the liver of L. casei Shirota-treated hyperglycemic rats. The probiotic L. casei Shirota significantly lowered blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, CRP) and neutrophils in diabetic rats, showing a lower risk of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Fruits contain a broad spectrum of nutrients, and many of which have antioxidant properties. Phenolic substances, vitamin A, vitamin C and minerals that are present in fruits displayed high antioxidant activity. Thes properties have been associated with the decreased risk of certain degenerative diseases. This study was conducted to determine the effects of guava (Psidium guajava) consumption on total antioxidant status and lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDLcholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) in normal male youth. This study was carried out over nine weeks, which was divided into three phases, that is, baseline (one week), treatment (four weeks) and control (four weeks). Blood samples were collected at the end of each phase for biochemical test. Total antioxidant status, glucose, lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase) were determined using Cobas Mira auto analyzer (Roche). Dietary intake in each phase was studied using 24-hours diet recall. There was a significant increase of total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol during the treatment phase, compared to the baseline and control phases (p < 0.05). The increase of HDL-cholesterol was associated with the decreased risk of heart attack and cardiovascular disease. Although there was an increase in total cholesterol and triglyceride in the treatment phase compared to baseline and control phases, the increase was still in normal range. There was a significant increase of total antioxidants during the treatment phase, compared to the baseline and control phases (p < 0.05). There were trends of reduction for both glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in the treatment phase as compared to baseline and control phases. However, the reduction was not statistically significant. The reduction of antioxidant enzymes was associated with decreased oxidative stress and decrease in free radical activities. The consumption of guava, therefore, could result in improved antioxidant status and lipid profile. Thus, it could reduce the risk of disease caused by free radical activities and high cholesterol in blood.

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) was successfully expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli system. This system was used OmpA signal sequence to produce soluble protein into the periplasm of E. coli. Human EGF (hEGF) synthesized in bacterial cell was found to be similar in size with the original protein and molecular weight approximately at 6.8 kDa. Cell proliferation assay was conducted to characterize the biological activity of hEGF on human dermal fibroblasts. The synthesized hEGF was found to be functional as compared with authentic hEGF in stimulating cell proliferation and promoting growth of cell. In comparison of biological activity between synthesized and commercial hEGF on cell proliferation, the results showed there was no significant different. This finding indicates the synthesized hEGF in E. coli system is fully bioactive in vitro.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is responsible for the majority of deaths in chronic renal failure (CRF). Oxidative stress plays a key role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and CVD, which is promoted by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impaired antioxidant enzymes. These ROS react with nitric oxide (NO) to produce cytotoxic reactive nitrogen species that cause oxidative injury to the endothelium. This study evaluated biomarkers of oxidative stress, NOx (total NO2 and NO3), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme in normal control and CRF patients as case group and correlated their association with CVD. This cross sectional study involved 173 CRF patients on different modes of treatment (hemodialysis, continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and predialysis). Of these, 74 had CVD. The control group consisted of 33 healthy subjects who had no history of CRF and CVD. Both NOx and SOD levels were significantly lower (P<0.05, P<0.001, respectively) in the case group. Comparing between CRF patients with and without CVD, SOD level was found to be significantly lower in CRF patients with CVD (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed significant association of CVD event with age, male gender, diabetes, SOD level, and lipid profile in CRF patients. Oxidative stress occurs in the CRF patients with or without CVD. This study found that NOx and SOD levels were reduced in all CRF patients with or without CVD. However, it was noted that the levels of these biomarkers of oxidative stress were significantly lower in CRF patients with CVD compared with CRF patients without CVD. Therefore, these oxidative stress markers maybe contributing factors in the pathogenesis of CVD in patients with CRF.