Edible bird’s nest (EBN) is reported to have a positive in vitro proliferative effect and contain male reproductive hormones. Spermatogonia cells proliferate during spermatogenesis under male reproductive hormones stimulation that include testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH). Characterization of EBN through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS) has found testosterone as a base peak. Six types of amino acids, estradiol and sialic acid were among the major peaks that have been characterized. Based on the presence of these reproductive components, this study evaluated different doses of EBN on sperm parameters and male reproductive hormones of Sprague Dawley rats. Sixteen Sprague Dawley rats at the age of eight weeks were randomly and equally divided into four groups, which are Control, 10 mg/kg BW/d 50 mg/kg BW/d, and 250 mg/kg BW/d EBN group. The rats were fed with EBN enriched pellet daily and water ad-libitum. Rats were sacrificed and the organ was weighed for organ coefficients after eight weeks of treatment. Sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility, and sperm viability were evaluated. Meanwhile, ELISA method was used to measure testosterone, FSH, and LH. Findings showed that there were no significant differences in organ coefficient between groups. Supplementation of 250 mg/kg BW/d EBN demonstrated a significant increase in sperm concentration, percentage of sperm motility as well as FSH and LH level compared to 10 mg/kg BW/d group. There was a dose-dependent increase in testosterone level but was not significant between groups. Based on these findings, EBN is concluded to have crucial effects on male reproductive parameters.

Gelam honey (GH) is a prized natural product synthesized from the nectar of flowers from Gelam trees (Melaleuca sp.). Gelam is an evergreen tree species that grows in tropical regions such as Malaysia. GH is a multifloral honey with proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the beneficial effect of GH on female reproductive tissue has yet to be substantiated. Herein, we investigated the effects of GH administration on the uterine and vaginal epithelial thickness of sexually mature Sprague–Dawley rats. Epithelia thickness could be an indicator of an atrophy manifesting as a symptom of a cardio syndrome. Rats were given oral doses of GH in four groups for 14 days; the lowest dose was 0.2 g GH/kg body weight (bw) rat/day and the highest dose was 8 g GH/kg bw rat/day. The physicochemical characteristics of GH were assessed through hydroxymethylfurfural and moisture content determination and sugar identification. GH attenuated the atrophy of the uterine and vaginal epithelia and increased the thickness of the endometrial stroma and endometrial surface endothelial layer. However, the dissonance observed in the effect of GH administration on the vaginal epithelium requires further investigation. Nevertheless, GH may have a strong potential in attenuating uterine and vaginal atrophies.

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The use of photoplethysmography (PPG) as one of cardiovascular disease (CVD) marker has got more attention due to its simplicity, noninvasive and portable characteristics. Two new markers had been developed from PPG namely PPG fitness index (PPGF) and vascular risk prediction index (VPRI). The aim of the present study was to compare PPGF level between young women with and without CVD risk factors, to investigate the relationship between PPGF with other CVD markers and to assess the sensitivity of VRPI in classifying young women that have CVD risk factors. A total of 148 young women aged 20-40 years old with and without CVD risk factors were involved in this study. CVD risk factors comprised of abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and family history of premature CVD. Subjects were categorized into healthy or having CVD risk factor. Measurements taken were anthropometric data, blood pressure, lipid profile, pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), PPGF and VRPI. SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis with p<0.05 as significant value. The mean subjects' age was 29.97±5.27 years old. There was no difference in PPGF level between groups (p>0.05). PPGF was independently determined by PWV (β=-0.31, p<0.001) and height (β=0.16, p=0.04). VRPI had 77.9% sensitivity in identifying subjects with CVD risk factor. In conclusion, PPGF correlates with PWV and has potential to be an indicator of aortic stiffness while VRPI is sensitive to classify those with CVD risk factor.

Studies evaluating the association between pulse wave velocity (PWV), a gold standard measurement of aortic stiffness and established markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with other established vascular markers or inflammation among young adult is still scarce. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the association between PWV with other vascular markers or inflammation. Relevant articles from Ovid Medline, Science Direct and Scopus databases were explored between 2009 and March 2018. Original articles published in English measuring any correlation between carotid-femoral PWV (PWVcf) with either augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) or C-reactive protein (CRP) on young adult with age range between 18 and 45 years old were included. The literature search identified 21 potential articles to be reviewed, which meet all the inclusion criteria. Four articles investigated the correlation between PWVcf with CRP, however only two studies gave significant but weak correlations. As for CIMT, a single relevant article was found and the correlation was not significant. In conclusion, lack of association between PWV and other vascular markers and inflammation may suggest that these vascular markers have their own property in assessing vascular status. Thus, these markers should be measured independently for comprehensive assessment of future CVD risk.