Ahmad Fauzi

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue marked by progressive inflammation and fibrosis. The unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model is commonly used to study obstructive nephropathy, yet effective treatments targeting its underlying mechanisms are limited. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the renoprotective effects of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) extract on inflammation and fibrosis markers in a murine model of UUO. Methods: Male Swiss Webster mice were divided into five groups: sham, UUO day 7, UUO + blueberry day 7, UUO day 14, and UUO + blueberry day 14. Blueberry extract (1500 mg/kg BW) was administered daily via oral gavage. UUO was induced by surgical ligation of the right ureter under anesthesia. Kidney tissues were examined macroscopically and histologically. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, glomerulonephritis scores, and immunohistochemical expression of NF-κB and TGF-β were assessed. Results: UUO caused right kidney enlargement by day 7 and severe hydronephrosis by day 14, along with significantly higher glomerulonephritis scores and increased expression of NF-κB and TGF-β (P<0.05 vs the SC group). Blueberry extract administered for 7 or 14 days improved kidney structure, lowered glomerulonephritis scores (P=0.53 and P=0.87, respectively), and significantly reduced NF-κB and TGF-β levels (P0.05 vs the SC group), with lower values in the treated groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that blueberry extract may protect against UUO-induced obstructive nephropathy by reducing inflammation and fibrosis.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is linked to renal fibrosis, influenced by profibrotic factors like transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2). Despite advancements in synthetic drugs like enalapril, evidence for plant-derived candidates that slow kidney fibrosis remains limited, underscoring the need for rigorous preclinical evaluation. This study evaluates the antifibrotic efficacy of Morus alba Linn. leaf extract (MLE) and its primary compound, chlorogenic acid (CGA), in a mouse model of renal fibrosis induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Twenty-five male Balb/c mice were assigned to five groups: sham operation (SO), UUO control, UUO with enalapril treatment, UUO with MLE, and UUO with CGA. Treatments were administered orally for 14 days, followed by assessments of fibrosis through histological analysis, immunohistochemistry, gene expression profiling, and molecular docking. Results indicated significant reductions in basement membrane thickening (from 31.19% in UUO to 21.87% with MLE), collagen deposition (from 6.85% to 2.7%), and decreased expression of key fibrotic markers such as TGF-β1 (from 26.21% to 11.91% with MLE and 5.92% with CGA), FGF-2, Collagen-1, Smad3, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and β-catenin. Molecular docking analysis suggested that CGA formed plausible interactions with transforming growth factor beta receptor 1 (TGFβR1) (-9.5 kcal/mol) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) (-8.3 kcal/mol), indicating its potential antifibrotic properties. These findings suggest that MLE and CGA effectively alleviate renal fibrosis by modulating crucial profibrotic signaling pathways, presenting them as promising natural therapeutic alternatives for CKD-associated fibrosis.

This study examines the influence of fish oil on brain amyloidogenesis in hyperglycaemic Alzheimer’s disease animal models, emphasising the potential of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Thirty males of Wistar rats were divided into five groups: 1) control rats (NS); 2) rats supplemented with 3 g/kg of fish oil (NS+FO3); 3) rats injected via intraperitoneal (i.p) with Streptozotocin-Lipopolysaccharide (STZ-LPS); 4) rats injected with STZ-LPS (i.p) and supplemented with 1 g/kg of fish oil (STZ-LPS+FO1), and 5) rats injected with STZ-LPS (i.p) and supplemented with 3 g/kg of fish oil (STZ-LPS+FO3). The cerebral brain was extracted for examination, and the αβ precursor protein (APP) level was measured using an immunoassay kit, while αβ 42 expression was evaluated using immunohistochemistry staining. Brain amyloidosis-related genes were quantified using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results revealed that fish oil supplementation significantly increased APP levels and reduced αβ 42 accumulations in STZ-LPS rats. Moreover, the Apolipoprotein E, ε4 isoform (ApoE-4) and Beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (Bace-1) genes were downregulated while the Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (Lrp-1) gene was upregulated in STZ-LPS rats treated with fish oil, thereby elucidating the impact of fish oil on diminishing αβ buildup in the brain. Therefore, this study contributes to a growing body of evidence supporting dietary interventions as adjunctive strategies for the prevention or delay of Alzheimer’s disease progression in metabolic dysfunction.

The human metabolic syndrome of diabetes is widely reported globally. People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at high risk for developing diabetic complications. Increasing evidence in clinical studies and literature reviews suggests that T1D has a strong relation with cognitive impairments, leading to a higher occurrence of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Research has shown that diet has a significant impact that may delay the onset of diabetes problems. Recent findings have demonstrated that omega-3 fatty acids act as a neuroprotective agent against the development of brain disorders. However, the positive impact of omega-3 fatty acids against diabetes, particularly on T1D, has debatable roles due to data inconsistencies. This review will discuss the mechanism of T1D on AD and the potential role of omega-3 fatty acids in degrading AD risk in patients with T1D. Scientific reports from epidemiological, molecular, and animal models and human studies are highlighted in this study. In conclusion, despite the conflicting results observed in both experimental and clinical studies, omega-3 fatty acids were proven to exhibit anti-inflammatory characteristics and alleviate autoimmune activities. Hence, omega-3 fatty acids are suggested to be considered in the prevention of AD progression, particularly in T1D patients. Nevertheless, the role of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in T1D patients needs further exploration.

Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) has many health benefits including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Glomerulonephritis is a commonly found kidney disease in companion animals that is characterized by glomerular proliferation and inflammation likes characteristics. The present study was carried out to evaluate the potential of blueberry against inflammatory response in the kidney of acute glomerulonephritis (AGN) in animal models. For this, twenty male Wistar rats were randomized into five groups i.e. A - E (n=4). Among these Group A has four healthy individuals administrated with aqua dest (negative control), group B individuals have streptokinase (6000IU/rat) induced acute glomerulonephritis rats treated with aqua dest (positive control) while group C-E has streptokinase (6000IU/rat) induced acute glomerulonephritis rats treated with different concentrations of blueberry extract (500, 1000, and 1500 mg/kg body weight) for 14 days, respectively. After 14 days, kidney samples were harvested for histology and immunohistochemistry examinations. One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test was used for statistical analysis (P< 0.05). The blueberry extract treated AGN rats showed a significantly decreased in IL-1beta expression and inflammatory cell numbers compared to negative and positive control rats and 1500 mg/kg of the blueberry extract was found as the optimal dose. Results of the study can be concluded that blueberry extract has a strong anti-inflammatory effect that could depress the inflammatory responses in acute glomerulonephritis rat animal models.

Currently, the information about Javan langurs female reproductive cycle in both cycle length and hormonal patterns is still widely unknown. Meanwhile, this information can be used as a guide in determining the fertile period of Javan langurs to conduct mating with higher pregnancy rate. The purpose of this study was to determine the reproductive cycle of adult female Javan langurs based on estrogen and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. The experimental animals was originated from Coban Talun forest in Batu, which was undergoing a rehabilitation program. Feces samples of two female Javan langurs were taken for 40 days. Examination of estrogen and LH hormone levels in the feces was carried out by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and then analyzed descriptively. The results showed that fluctuations in the graphs of the hormones estrogen and LH appeared on days 8 to 16 and days 30 to 40 which showed the existence of two reproductive cycles. Whereas younger langur showed a pattern of hormonal fluctuations that are less regular, making identification of the reproductive cycle difficult. Based from the results, we concluded that the reproductive cycle of female Javan langur was estimated about 24 days with a hormonal pattern consisting of the follicular phase, the ovulation period and the luteal phase.

A Golden Retriever bitch, 10 years old, came to the Animal Hospital of Brawijaya University, Malang, Indonesia, her conditions was discharge from the vagina, stink smell, polyuria, polydipsia and swelling in the vaginal area that begin to appear one month ago. Physical examination results found her weight 30 kg, scored three for body condition score (scale 1-5), body temperature at 38ºC, pale mucous membrane, and Capillart Reill Time > 2 seconds. Hard mass was palpable in the vaginal area. Based on the anamnesis, physical examination and clinical symptoms, the bitch appeared have some different diagnosis such as pyometra, endometritis, vaginitis, and vaginal tumors. Hematology, radiograph, and histopathological laboratory tests were performed to confirm the diagnosis. Hematologic results showed the bitch suffered from leukocytosis of 41.7 x 103/?L, granulocytosis 36.5 x 103/?L, and hyperchromic microcytic anemia. The results of the radiograph examination showed a radiopaque solid mass in the vagina and uterus. The results of the histopathological examination found there were hyperchromasia nuclei and pleomorphism of fibroblast cell, and formation spindles cell of connective tissue. Based on the results of physical examination, hematological test, radiographic test, and histopathology, the dog was diagnosed with fibrosarcoma in the vagina. The treatment of this case was ovariohysterectomy and removal of the vaginal tumor. Early diagnosis and early treatment largely determine the patient’s prognosis, metastatic vaginal fibrosarcoma tumors showed poor prognosis.