The Indonesian Biomedical Journal

115-22

Authors: Anna Meiliana, Andi Wijaya

BACKGROUND: Since the first umbilical cord blood (UCB) transplant, performed 25 years ago, UCB banks have been established worldwide for the collection and cryopreservation of UCB for autologous and allogeneic transplants. CONTENT: Much has been learned in a relatively short time on the properties of UCB hematopoietic progenitors and their clinical application. More interestingly, non-hematopoietic stem cells have been isolated from UCB. These cells can be grown and differentiated into various tissues including bone, cartilage, liver, pancreas, nerve, muscle and so on. The non-hematopoietic stem cells have an advantage over other sources of stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells, because their supply is unlimited, they can be used in autologous or allogeneic situations, they need minimal manipulation and they raise no ethical concerns. Future studies will test the potential of UCB cells for the treatment of several diseases including, among other possibilities, diabetes, arthritis, burns, neurological disorder and myocardial infarction. SUMMARY: In addition to hematopoietic stem cells, UCB contain a large number of non-hematopoietic stem cells. In the absence of ethical concern, the unlimited supply of UCB cells explains the increasing interest of using UCB for developing regenerative medicine.

137-56

Authors: Anna Meiliana, Andi Wijaya

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental condition, which is typically characterized by a triad of symptoms: impaired social communication, social reciprocity and repetitive stereotypic behavior. While the behavioral phenotype of ASD is well described, the search for reliable ‘autism biomarkers’ continues. CONTENT: Insulin growth factor (IGF) is essential for the myelination of developing fetal neurons; this is in addition to the well-known links between IGF, maternal inflammation, infection and autism supporting IGF as a potential marker. Combining IGF data with data regarding levels of the known markers, serotonin and anti-myelin basic protein, in order to calculate an autism index, could provide a new diagnostic method for at-risk neonates. Disruptions to multiple pathophysiological systems, including redox, folate, methylation, tryptophan metabolism, and mitochondrial metabolism, have been well documented in autistic patients. Maternal infection and inflammation have known links with autism. Autoimmunity has therefore been a well-studied area of autism research. The potential of using autoantibodies as novel biomarkers for autism, in addition to providing insights into the neurodevelopmental processes that lead to autism. SUMMARY: The six proposed causes of autism involve both metabolic and immunologic dysfunctions and include: increased oxidative stress; decreased methionine metabolism and trans-sulfuration: aberrant free and bound metal burden; gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances; immune/inflammation dysregulation; and autoimmune targeting. A newborn screening program for early-onset ASD should be capable of utilizing a combination of ASD-associated biomarkers representative of the six proposed causes of autism in order to identify newborns at risk. The biomarkers discussed in this article are useful to guide the selection, efficacy and sufficiency of biomedical interventions, which would likely include nutritional supplementation, dietary changes and specific medications for treating GI pathogens and reducing inflammation.

163-6

Authors: Gontar Alamsyah Siregar, Sahat Salim, Ricky Rivalino Sitepu

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori is a non-invasive microorganism causing intense gastric mucosal inflammatory and immune reaction. The gastric mucosal levels of the proinflammatory cytokines Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and IL-8 have been reported to be increased in H. pylori infection, but the serum levels in H. pylori infection is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the serum levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in H. pylori infection. METHODS: A cross sectional study was done on eighty consecutive gastritis patients admitted to endoscopy units at Adam Malik General Hospital and Permata Bunda Hospital, Medan, Indonesia from May-October 2014. Histopathology was performed for the diagnosis of gastritis. Rapid urease test for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Serum samples were obtained to determine circulating IL-6 and IL-8. Univariate and bivariate analysis (independent t test) were done. RESULTS: There were 41.25% patients infected with H. pylori. Circulatory IL-6 levels were significantly higher in H. pylori-infected patients compared to H. pylori negative, but there were no differences between serum levels of IL-8 in H. pylori positive and negative patients. CONCLUSION: The immune response to H. pylori promotes systemic inflammation, which was reflected in an increased level of serum IL-6. Serum levels of IL-8 were not significantly different between H. pylori positive and negative.