1.Correlation of cAMP Response Element Binding and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor Protein Levels in Adolescents with Adequacy Fruit Intake: A Cross Sectional Study
Siti Noor Syarma Mohd Sharif ; Mohd Adzim Khalili Rohin ; Norhayati Abd Hadi
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.3, September):176-184
Introduction: cAMP Response Element Binding (CREB) and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) protein levels tend to be a critical mediator for the beneficial effects of diet on neurogenesis and cognitive function. Increased fruit intake has been associated with improved cognitive function. However, in Malaysia, most adolescents still haven't met the recommended intake of fruits and far less is known on how their adequacy of fruit intake can be affected to their protein levels of CREB and BDNF. Methods: A cross sectional study was done on 352 students aged 14 and 16 years old involving 11 secondary schools in Kuala Terengganu, Marang and Hulu Terengganu Districts. A validated MyUM adolescent FFQ was used for fruit intake assessment. Blood sample to determine the level of CREB and BDNF proteins. Results: A total of 53.7% of adolescents consumed an adequate intake (≥ 2 servings/day) of fruits. Serum level BDNF was significantly (p<0.001) higher in the adolescent with adequate fruit intake (389.05±204.96 pg/mL) compared with inadequate (< 2 servings/day) group (118.60 ± 49.04 pg/mL) and was correlated positively with fruit intake (r=0.62, p<0.001). The median of CREB protein level was significantly (p<0.021) higher among inadequate intake of fruits (19.85±23.60 ng/mL) relative to adequate group (14.71± 17.9 ng/mL) and was negatively correlated with fruit intake (rs (8) =-0.07, p<0.001). Apple, papaya, watermelon, orange, pear, guava, mango, banana and durian were significant factors for BDNF protein level. Conclusion: High serum protein level of BDNF in the adolescent with adequate intake of fruit could have a role in controlling neuronal survival, and synaptic function in the central nervous system.
2.Prevalence of Vegetable Intake and its associated Personal, Socio-environmental, Physical-environmental Factors among Malay Adolescents in Rural Terengganu
Mohd Adzim Khalili Rohin ; Norhayati Abd Hadi ; Farah Adriana Mohd Rosmadi ; Siti Syarma Mohd Shariff ; Norhaslinda Ridzwan
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2020;16(No.4):177-185
Introduction: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of vegetable intake and its associated personal,
socio-environmental and physical-environmental factors among Malay adolescents in rural Terengganu. Methods:
This study was a cross-sectional study conducted from 1st January 2019 to 31st May 2019 at selected secondary
schools in rural Terengganu in Marang and Hulu Terengganu districts. A total of 240 students were recruited by multistage random sampling method in schools and based on inclusion criteria. A validated questionnaire was developed
consisting of four (4) sections; demographic data, personal, socio-environmental and physical-environmental factors
of vegetable intake. Reliability test found the validity and internal consistency of the questionnaire to be acceptable
with a Cronbach Alpha value of 0.762. Results: The respondents consisted of 53% males and 47% females with
mean age of 15.01 (1.00) years old. Majority of the respondents had normal BMI status (48%) follows by underweight
(20%), overweight (16%) and obese (16%). Majority (83%) had inadequate vegetable intake per day. Factors that
were associated with the vegetable intake among adolescents were liking (p=0.01), intention (p=0.01) and habit
(p<0.01) for personal factor. An availability of vegetable at leisure place (p=0.01) was significant for physical-environmental factor. Conclusion: Majority of the adolescents did not meet the recommended intake of vegetable daily.
Therefore, development of intervention programs to promote intake of vegetables among adolescents should consider
their liking, habits, intention and the availability at leisure place compare to others in schools or any organizations.
3.Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Vegetables Intake among Adolescents in Rural Terengganu, Malaysia
Mohd Adzim Khalili Rohin ; Norhayati Abd Hadi ; Sahirah Sariff ; Siti Syarma Mohd Shariff ; Norhaslinda Ridzwan ; Mimie Noratiqah Jumli
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2021;17(No.2):98-105
Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices of adolescent’s vegetable intake in rural Terengganu, Malaysia. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study conducted
at selected secondary schools in the districts of Marang and Hulu Terengganu from January 2019 until May 2019.
By using multistage random sampling in schools and based on inclusion criteria, a total of 160 students was recruited. A self-administered questionnaire consisting of demographic information, knowledge, attitude and practice of
vegetable intake was developed by the researchers. The reliability test showed that the validity and internal consistency of the questionnaire were acceptable with a Cronbach Alpha value of 0.701, 0.702 and 0.708 for knowledge,
attitudes and practices, respectively. Results: The findings showed that respondents had ‘good’ knowledge (41%),
‘good’ attitudes (41%) and ‘fair’ practices (52%) towards the vegetable intake. There were a significant difference in
the mean knowledge scores between male and female respondents (p=0.041) based on the Independent T-test. A
positive correlation was observed between attitude and knowledge (r=0.38), attitude and practices (r=0.25) (p<0.05).
The result also showed that respondent’s intake of vegetables was significantly correlated with knowledge (p=0.014)
and attitudes (p=0.006). Conclusion: The findings showed that only 9% adolescents achieved adequate intake of
vegetables per day based on recommendation by Malaysian Dietary Guideline. Therefore, if these population did not
change their food behavioural intake, the incidence of chronic diseases was expected to rise during their adulthood.
4.Cytotoxic Activity of Ethanolic Extract Aquilaria malaccensis Leaves Against MCF-7 Cells
Muhammad Yusran Abdul Aziz ; Syed Ahmad Tajudin Tuan Johari ; Wan Nur Amalina Wan Mamat ; Wan Rohani Wan Taib ; Ahmad Syibli Othman ; Mohd Adzim Khalili Rohin
Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2023;19(No.6):215-221
Introduction: Aquilaria malaccensis, also known as “Pokok Karas” in Malaysia, is widely used in Southeast Asian
countries for the treatment of joint pain, diarrhoea and inflammatory diseases, and has shown beneficial effects as
an anticancer agent. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanol leaf extracts of A. malaccensis on
MCF-7 cells. Methods: MTT-based cytotoxic and antiproliferative assay was used to determine the outcome of ethanolic extract toward MCF-7 cells. The mode of cell death was determined by the AO/PI double staining assay and
the depolarisation of the mitochondria membrane potential. Results: IC50 value of the extract against MCF-7 cells
treated for 72 hours was 4.1 ± 2.08 µg/mL, while the IC50 value for doxorubicin was 2.92 ± 0.12 µg/mL. The extract
showed a lower cytotoxic effect against the NIH/3T3 cells and inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in a dose dependent manner. AO/PI double stain showed that the ethanolic extract of A. malaccensis leaves induced MCF-7 cells
into apoptotic cell death. The present study showed that the ethanolic extract of A. malaccensis induced apoptosis
through mitochondrial pathway as indicated by its ability to take up JC-1. Conclusion: The study found that ethanolic
extract obtained from A. malaccensis leaves is cytotoxic on MCF-7 cells, resulting to apoptotic cell death of the cells.