The Indonesian Biomedical Journal

65-78

Authors: Anna Meiliana, Andi Wijaya

BACKGROUND: The epidemic of obesity and type 2 diabetes presents a serious challenge to scientific and biomedical communities worldwide. There has been an upsurge of interest in the adipocyte coincident with the onset of the obesity epidemic and the realization that adipose tissue plays a major role in the regulation of metabolic function. CONTENT: Adipose tissue, best known for its role in fat storage, can also suppress weight gain and metabolic disease through the action of specialized, heat-producing adipocytes. Brown adipocytes are located in dedicated depots and express constitutively high levels of thermogenic genes, whereas inducible ‘brown-like’ adipocytes, also known as beige cells, develop in white fat in response to various activators. The activities of brown and beige fat cells reduce metabolic disease, including obesity, in mice and correlate with leanness in humans. Many genes and pathways that regulate brown and beige adipocyte biology have now been identified, providing a variety of promising therapeutic targets for metabolic disease. SUMMARY: The complexity of adipose tissue presents numerous challenges but also several opportunities for therapeutic intervention. There is persuasive evidence from animal models that enhancement of the function of brown adipocytes, beige adipocytes or both in humans could be very effective for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. Moreover, there are now an extensive variety of factors and pathways that could potentially be targeted for therapeutic effects. In particular, the discoveries of circulating factors, such as irisin, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)21 and natriuretic peptides, that enhance brown and beige fat function in mice have garnered tremendous interest. Certainly, the next decade will see massive efforts to use beige and brown fat to ameliorate human metabolic disease.

91-6

Authors: Yudi Her Oktaviono, Djanggan Sargowo, Mohammad Aris Widodo, Yanni Dirgantara, Angliana Chouw, Ferry Sandra

BACKGROUND: A population of circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) has been reported to play important role in maintaining endothelial function and integrity. Since EPCs culture is crucial and an optimized medium is currently available. Therefore we conducted a study to investigate whether stable angina subjects peripheral blood-derived EPCs could be cultured in this medium. Here, we performed study to detect EPCs characteristics and extracellular signalregulated kinase (Erk)1/2 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) pathway as possible underlying pathway for EPCs proliferation. METHODS: Peripheral blood EPCs from 8 stable angina subjects were cultured in an optimized medium with/without addition of supplement for 1 or 3 days. Then, the membrane of cultured EPCs were detected with immunofluorescence method for CD34, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and CD133. Colony forming unit (CFU) enumeration was performed. XTT Cell proliferation assay was performed to assess EPCs growth after 1 and 3-days culture. The western blot analysis was performed to detect possible activation of Erk1/2 MAPK. RESULTS: Number of EPCs and CFU cultured for 3 days were significantly higher than the ones cultured for 1 day (p=0.012). EPCs membrane markers from stable angina subjects were detected as well as CFUs were formed. There were significant increase of EPCs number, CFUs number and phosphorylated-Erk2 amount when the groups with and without supplement were compared (p<0.05). Meanwhile U0126, a MAPK Erk1/2 (MEK1/2) inhibitor, significantly inhibited the supplement-induced EPCs number, CFUs number and phosphorylated-Erk2 amount (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results showed that ERK2 MAPK signaling pathway might play an important role in supplement-induced peripheral blood EPCs proliferation in subjects with stable angina.

101-6

Authors: Prijo Sidipratomo, Trijono Karmawan Sukana Prija, Bachtiar Murtala, Agus Purwadianto, Gatot Susilo Lawrence

BACKGROUND: Conventional autopsy in Indonesia is not well accepted as it is contrary to religion and culture. New radiological imaging method such as multislice computed tomography (MSCT) scan has potential to be a diagnostic tool in forensic pathology. The purpose of this study is to determine the ability of MSCT scan in finding abnormalities in close blunt head injury compared with autopsy. METHODS: This study used descriptive qualitative method. Postmortem cases in Department of Forensic Medicine and Radiology of Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital were selected based on inclusion criteria. Then MSCT scan and autopsy were conducted. MSCT scan and autopsy results were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: There were 491 postmortem cases of blunt head injury. However, only 10 cases fulfilled inclusion criteria. Subarachnoid haemorrhages were identified 100% with MSCT scan and 80% with autopsy. Cerebral oedemas were identified 100% either with MSCT scan and autopsy. Subdural haemorrhages were identified 100% with MSCT scan, while 50% with autopsy. Multiple fractures were identified 80% with MSCT scan, while 40% with auto. CONCLUSION: MSCT scan showed a sensitive detection in finding abnormalities in close blunt head injury. Therefore it could be as an alternative choice of examination in close blunt head injury cases.