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Cardiovascular diseases, especially atherosclerosis, are the leading cause of human mortality in Indonesia. Ipomoea batatas (L.) is a food plant used in Indonesian traditional medicine to treat cardiovascular diseases and related conditions. We assessed the anti-atherosclerotic activity of the aqueous extract of I. batatas leaves in a rat model of high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis and its mechanism. The presence of amino acid content in the I. batatas L. purple variant was determined by liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS). Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n=6/group), i.e., standard diet group (SD), high-fat diet group (HF), and HF plus I. batatas L. extracts orally (625; 1,250; or 2,500 mg/kg) groups. The numbers of macrophages and aortic wall thickness were analyzed histologically. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to assess foam cells-oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in the aorta. LC-HRMS analysis showed nine amino acid content were identified from I. batatas L. In vivo study revealed that oral administration of I. batatas L. leaf extract alleviated foam cells-oxLDL formation and aortic wall thickness caused by high-fat diet atherosclerosis rats. Further, I. batatas L. leaf extract promoted the number of macrophages and modulated VEGF and eNOS expression in the aorta. I. batatas L. leaf extract shows a positive anti-atherosclerosis effect. Furthermore, the mechanism may promote the macrophages, eNOS, VEGF expressions, and inhibition of foam cells-oxLDL formation and aortic wall thickness with the best dosage at 2,500 mg/kg. This could represent a novel approach to prevent cardiovascular diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial cell (EC) senescence plays a pivotal role in aging and is essential for the pathomechanism of aging-related diseases. Drugs targeting cellular senescence, such as senolytic or senomorphic drugs, may prevent aging and age-related diseases, but these bullets remain undeveloped to target EC senescence. Some medicinal plants may have an anti-senescence property but remain undiscovered. Deep learning has become an emerging approach for drug discovery by simply analyzing cellular morphologybased deep learning. This precious tool would be useful for screening the herb candidate in senescent EC rejuvenescence. Of note, several medicinal plants that can be found in Indonesia such as Curcuma longa L., Piper retrofractum, Guazuma ulmifolia Lam, Centella asiatica (L.) Urb., and Garcinia mangostana L. might potentially possess an anti-senescence effect. This review highlighted the importance of targeting EC senescence, the use of deep learning for medicinal plant screening, and some potential anti-senescence plants originated in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To study the association between corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and degree of anterior chamber angle (ACA) opening in eyes with chronic angle closure glaucoma. Methods: The study was conducted at JEC Eye Hospitals in Indonesia. Treatment-naïve patients aged ≥ 40 years with IOP > 21 mmHg and peripheral anterior chamber depth (ACD) grade 2 or less by Van Herick's technique were recruited. Trabecular iris angle (TIA; degree) was measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and classified as: grade 1 ≤ 10°, grade 2 11– 20°, and grade 3 > 20°. Noncontact specular microscopy was performed, and the following corneal parameters were obtained:ECD (cells/mm2), coefficient of variation (CV; μm2/cell), percentage of hexagonal cells, and central corneal thickness (CCT; μm). Results: A total of 52 eyes from 52 subjects were recruited (16 grade 1 TIA, 24 grade 2 TIA, and 12 grade 3 TIA). Presenting IOP was not significantly different between groups. The median central corneal ECD was 2684.5 (1433– 2934), 2587.0 (1902– 3103), and 2441.0 (1659– 3005) cells/mm2 in grade 1, 2, and 3 TIA, respectively, with no significant differences across the groups (P = 0.67). The CV was lowest in grade 3 TIA (36.4 ± 7.2 μm2/cell), and highest in grade 1 TIA (38.3 ± 9.6 μm2/cell), but the differences were not significant (P = 0.74). Likewise, the percentage of hexagonality and CCT was not significantly different. TIA was not correlated with IOP but was modestly correlated with age. Conclusion: The corneal ECD and morphological characteristics such as CV and hexagonality were not significantly different across various TIA grading in chronic angle closure. This may reflect the lack of chronic and gradual IOP insult on corneal endothelial parameters as TIA did not show direct effect towards IOP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis on head or neck artery is the primary cause of ischemic stroke which is the leading cause of death at any age in Indonesia. In the last few years, chronic inflammatory due to bacteria, such as pulpitis, has been known to play an important role in the onset of atheroschlerotic pathogenesis. Pulpitis causes bacteremia which affects systemic inflammation. This condition may lead to endothelial cells defunct, elevated oxidation, and lipid deposition which increases the risk of aterosclerosis. This research aimed to identify the formation of carotid atherosclerotic lesions in pulpitis rat models. Ten rat samples are divided into 2 groups: a control group (K) without treatment and a pulpitis group (PU). The pulpitis group was established by inducing pulp perforation to the occlusal surface of mandibular first molar teeth. The pulp cavity was then induced with 0.05 ml (0.5 McF) of Streptococcus mutant, 3 times a week for 4 weeks. On the 29th day, rats were sacrified, their carotid arteries were extracted and cross-sectionally cut. Histological preparations were performed and colored by Picrosirius Red and Sudan IV. Histomorphometric analysis began with morphological observation of carotid artery wall thickness, then statistically tested using Independent T-test. Histomorphology analysis began with endhotelial disintegration, lipid deposition and atheroma, then statistically tested using Mann-Whitney method. The arterial walls of pulpitis group were significantly thicker 102,85 ± 3,37 µm than those of control group (p<0.05). There is no significant difference in endothelial disintegration in each group. The presence of lipid deposition and atheroma are seen at all samples in pulpitis group (100%). Pulpitis increases the risk of carotid atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelial nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, microvascular function, and host oxygen consumption have not been assessed in pediatric malaria. We measured NO-dependent endothelial function by using peripheral artery tonometry to determine the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), and microvascular function and oxygen consumption (VO2) using near infrared resonance spectroscopy in 13 Indonesian children with severe falciparum malaria and 15 with moderately severe falciparum malaria. Compared with 19 controls, children with severe malaria and those with moderately severe malaria had lower RHIs (P = .03); 12% and 8% lower microvascular function, respectively (P = .03); and 29% and 25% higher VO2, respectively. RHIs correlated with microvascular function in all children with malaria (P < .001) and all with severe malaria (P < .001). Children with malaria have decreased endothelial and microvascular function and increased oxygen consumption, likely contributing to the pathogenesis of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic acid (HA), a group of high-molecular weight organic compounds characterized by an ability to bind heavy metals, is normally found in natural water. Although the impairment of vascular endothelial cells in the presence of humic substances has been reported to be involved in some diseases, the mechanisms responsible for this involvement remain unclear. In this study, we examined the cytotoxicity of HA obtained from peatland in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, to human vascular endothelial cells, as well as the mechanisms behind these effects. It was found that 50 mg/L HA showed cytotoxicity, which we considered to be mediated by apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway because of an increase in the expression of caspases 6 and 9 in response to HA administration. In addition, this cytotoxicity was enhanced when cells in this experimental system were exposed to oxidative stress, while it was decreased by the addition of vitamin C. Thus, we conclude that the apoptosis induced by HA depends upon oxidative stress. Furthermore, an iron chelator, DFO, showed a tendency to decrease HA-induced cytotoxicity, suggesting that iron may potentially mediate HA-induced oxidative stress. In conclusion, long-term consumption of HA-rich water obtained from our study area may cause damage to endothelial cells and subsequent chronic health problems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 916-925, 2014. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: to observe whether the VCAM and ICAM level in ACS patients were higher than those in coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. In addition, we would like to observe the cut off point of VCAM and ICAM level in ACS patients., Methods: in observational study, as many as 146 subjects were analyzed, consisting of 84 ACS patients, and 62 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. This study were conducted at Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital (RSUPN-CM), Persahabatan Hospital, MMC Hospital and Medistra Hospital, Jakarta. The study was carried out from May 2005 to May 2006., Results: the VCAM level was higher in the group of ACS patients (mean 981.06 ng/mL, SD 319.28, CI 95%: 911.77-1050.35) than in that in the group of CHD (mean 915.23 ng/mL, SD 283.05, CI 95%: 843.35-987.11), but the difference is not significant. At cut-off point of VCAM level >or= 920.8 ng/mL, the highest sensitivity (57.14%) and highest specificity (67.74%) were found with ROC of 0.58. The ICAM level was higher in the group of ACS patients (mean 268.08 ng/mL, SD 72.75, CI 95%: 252.29/283.87) than that in the group of CHD (mean 245.18 ng/mL, SD 87.37, CI 95%: 222.99-267.37), but the difference is not significant. At cut-off point of ICAM level 248.6 ng/mL, the highest sensitivity (54.76%) and highest specificity (66.13%) were found with ROC of 0.62., Conclusion: it could be concluded that VCAM and ICAM level in ACS were higher than in CHD, but the difference is not significant. The VCAM and ICAM level are not the best parameter to differentiate between acute (ACS) and stable (CHD) condition.