The suppression of spermatogenesis by a combination of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and testosterone enanthate (TE) was studied in Indonesian men. Twenty healthy, fertile volunteers were allocated randomly to either of two treatments each consisting of four intramuscular injections at monthly intervals. Group I (n = 10 men) received 100 mg DMPA plus 100 mg TE monthly while group II (n = 10 men) received 200 mg DMPA plus 250 mg TE monthly. Sperm concentration was suppressed markedly, with all men attaining azoospermia between the third and fourth month after the start of treatment. There was no significant difference in the suppression of spermatogenesis between the two dosage regimens. The median time to reaching azoospermia was 2.5 months from the onset of injections and the median time to recovery of sperm in the ejaculate was 2.0 months after cessation of treatment. Both steroid regimens were equally effective in suppressing LH, FSH and testosterone levels. Testosterone levels returned to baseline by the fourth post-treatment month while LH and FSH demonstrated significant rebound above baseline levels from 3 to 5 months after cessation of treatment. No serious clinical side effects were observed. Weight gain and increases in libido were reported during treatment by most volunteers. A transient decrease in libido was noted in 5/20 (25%) men between 1-2 months after cessation of injections, presumably due to the prolonged effects of DMPA relative to TE. These results indicate that uniform induction of reversible azoospermia with minimal side effects can be achieved in a non-Caucasian population.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Caulerpa sp., a genus of seaweed native to the Indo-Pacific region, has been known for its antioxidant properties and health benefits when consumed as food. Previous studies have reported Caulerpa sp.’s potential as a strong antioxidant, but its effects on the skin in a topical preparation, especially its role in ultraviolet (UV) protection, have not been studied extensively. Our study investigated the protective effects of 0.2% and 0.4% Caulerpa sp. extract gels on photoaging in the UVB-irradiated skin of Wistar mice. The subjects were divided into naive control, vehicle control, and 3 treatment groups (0.2% Caulerpa sp. extract gel, 0.4% Caulerpa sp. extract gel, and 0.02% astaxanthin gel as a standard antioxidant). The groups, except the naive control group, received a total of 840 mJ/cm2 of UVB irradiation in four weeks. Protective effects of the extract were measured through the evaluation of collagen expression, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 expression and levels, and 8-OhDG expression. Mice who received topical application of Caulerpa sp. extract gel had higher collagen expression, better-preserved collagen structure, lower levels of MMP-1, and less MMP-1 and 8-OHdG expressions compared to the vehicle control group. There was no difference between different concentrations of the extract. Our findings demonstrated that topical application of Caulerpa sp. extract gel significantly protected UVB-irradiated mice skin from photoaging.

This study was aimed to prove that topical betel (Piper betle) leaf extract adinistration could increase epidermal thickness, fibroblasts, and collagen amount in wound healing process of male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). Subjects were 36 Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) with inclusion criteria, as follows: healthy, aged 3-4 months, weighing 200-250 g, divided into two groups with 18 rats each. The first group, the control group (P0), was treated with oral amoxicillin 3x10mg/day for 3 days and one drop (50 μl) of 10% povidine iodine topically 2x/day for 14 days, and the second group, the treatment group (P1), treated with oral amoxicillin 3x10 mg/day for 3 days and one drop (50 μl) of 10% betel leaf (Piper betle) extracttopically 2x/day for 14 days. Samples of skin tissue were processed for histological slides by using hematoxylin-eosin staining to check the epidermal thickness and fibroblast, meanwhile Picro sirius red staining to check the collagen amount. Microscopic examinations showed that the average epidermal thickness in P0 group was 24.72±14.91 μm, whereas in the P1 group was 56.75±23.04 μm (P <0.01). The number of fibroblasts in P0 group was 75,45±32,52 cells/visual field meanwhile of P1 group was 95,67±22,51 cells/visual field (P < 0.05). The average of collagen amount in P0 group was 65.27±7.13% while in P1 group was 83.09±2.59% (P <0.01). Conclusion: Topical administration of 10% betel (Piper betle) leaf extract could increase epidermal thickness, fibroblasts, and collagen in wound healing process of male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus).Keywords: betel leaf, epidermis, fibroblast, collagen, wound Abstrak: Tujuan penelitian ini ialah untuk membuktikan bahwa pemberian ekstrak daun sirih (Piper betle) meningkatkan ketebalan epidermis, jumlah fibroblas, dan jumlah kolagen dalam proses penyembuhan luka pada tikus jantan galur Wistar (Rattus norvegicus). Subjek penelitian ialah 36 ekor tikus jantan galur Wistar (Rattus norvegicus) dewasa dan sehat, berumur 3-4 bulan, dengan berat badan 200-250 gr, yang terbagi menjadi 2 (dua) kelompok masing-masing berjumlah 18 ekor tikus. Kelompok pertama ialah kelompok kontrol (P0) diberikan amoksisilin oral 3 x 10mg/hari selama 3 hari serta povidine iodine 10% topikal 1 tetes (50 μl) 2x/hari selama 14 hari (P0). Kelompok kedua ialah kelompok perlakuan (P1) diberi amoksisilin oral 3 x 10 mg/hari selama 3 hari serta ekstrak daun sirih (Piper betle) konsentasi 10% secara topikal 1 tetes (50 μl), 2x/hari selama 14 hari. Jaringan kulit diambil dan dibuat preparat dengan pewarnaan hematoksilin-eosin untuk pemeriksaan ketebalan epidermis dan jumlah fibroblas, serta pewarnaan Picro sirius red untuk pemeriksaan jumlah kolagen. Hasil pemeriksaan mikroskopik menunjukkan rerata tebal epidermis pada kelompok P0 24,72±14,91 μm dan pada kelompok P1 56,75±23,04 μm (P <0,01). Rerata jumlah fibroblas pada kelompok P0 75,45±32,52 sel/lapang pandang dan pada kelompok P1 95,67±22,51 sel/lapang pandang (P <0,05). Rerata jumlah kolagen pada kelompok P0 65,27±7,13% dan pada kelompok P1, 83,09±2,59% (P <0,01). Simpulan: Pemberian ekstrak daun sirih (Piper betle) konsentrasi 10% secara topikal dapat meningkatkan ketebalan epidermis, jumlah fibroblas, dan jumlah kolagen pada luka tikus jantan galur Wistar (Rattus norvegicus). Kata kunci: daun sirih, epdermis, fibroblas, kolagen, luka

Background: Oxidative stress plays a role in the obesity mechanism, thus leads to premature aging. High antioxidant capacity in Bajakah tampala stem may effectively lessen oxidative stress and reduce fat mass and body weight accordingly. This study aimed to provide Bajakah tampala stem extract's effect in lowering ROS level, visceral fat weight, and overall weight of obese male Wistar rats. Method: A true experimental design was conducted on male Wistar rats aged 2-3 months with obesity. Thirty-two obese rats were evenly divided into a placebo group and a group given Bajakah tampala stem extract, with 16 rats in each group. For 28 days, both groups were fed a high-fat diet. The subject body weights were weighed every week. ROS levels and visceral fat weight were evaluated after the intervention was done. Comparative analysis between groups was performed. Results: The results showed mean levels of ROS (56.2 ± 7.4 U/ml vs. 400.9 ± 50.7 U/ml; p < 0.001), visceral fat weight (2.6 ± 0.2 g vs. 3.4 ± 0.9 g; p < 0.001), and the final body weight (241.5 ± 2.8 g vs. 261.5 ± 13.8 g; p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the study group than the control group. Conclusion: The study indicates Bajakah tampala stem extract administration effectively reduced ROS levels, visceral fat weight, and body weight in obese male Wistar rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA), commonly found in plastic packaging and cans, can induce oxidative stress. This study was aimed to prove that oral BPA could decrease superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increase F2-isoprostan levels in male Sprague Dawley rats. This was an experimental study using randomized pretest-posttest control group design. There were 14 rats (Rattus norvegicus), male, Sprague Dawley strain, 8-10 weeks old, as subjects. Rats were divided into two groups with 7 rats each. The control group (P0) was treated with placebo for 21 days and the treatment group (P1) was treated with oral BPA dose of 400mg/kg for 21 days. Before and after treatment for 21 days, blood was drained through the canthus medial sinus orbital and urine was collected as pretest and posttest data. SOD and F2-isoprostan levels were then examined by using ELISA. The results showed that before treatment (pretest), the mean SOD level in P0 group was 42.51±3.127 U/mL and in P1 group was 41.87±2.477 U/mL (P > 0.05). The mean F2-isoprostane level in P0 group was 3.18±0.599 ng/ml and in P1 group was 3.22±0.489 ng/ml (P > 0.05). However, after treatment for 21 days (posttest), the mean level of SOD in P0 group was 43.52±3.472 U/mL and in P1 group was 31.84±2.563 U/mL (P <0.01). The mean level of F2-isoprostane in P0 group was 2.94±0.500 ng/ml and in P1 group was 4.47±0.241 ng/ml (P < 0.01). The analysis of the treatment effect showed significant decreased level of SOD and increased level of F2-isoprostane in P1 group (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Oral bisphenol A could decrease superoxide dismutase (SOD) and increase F2-isoprostan levels in male Sprague dawley rats.Keywords: bisphenol A (BPA), SOD, F2-isoprostane, Sprague Dawley ratsAbstrak: Bisphenol A (BPA) banyak ditemukan dalam kemasan plastik dan kaleng dan dapat menyebabkan peningkatan radikal bebas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk membuktikan pemberian BPA oral dapat menurunkan kadar superoksida dismutase (SOD) dan meningkatkan kadar F2-isoprostan pada tikus (Rattus norvegicus) jantan galur Sprague Dawley. Jenis penelitian ialah eksperimental dengan randomized pretest-postest control group design yang menggunakan 14 ekor tikus (Rattus norvegicus) jantan, galur Sprague Dawley, berumur 8-10 minggu, yang terbagi menjadi 2 (dua) kelompok masing-masing berjumlah 7 ekor tikus. Kelompok kontrol (P0) diberikan plasebo selama 21 hari dan kelompok perlakuan (P1) diberikan BPA dosis 400mg/kgBB selama 21 hari. Sebelum dan sesudah perlakuan selama 21 hari, darah diambil melalui chantus medial orbitalis dan urin dikumpulkan untuk pemeriksaan pretest dan postest. Kadar SOD dan F2-isoprostan diperiksa dengan metode ELISA. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa sebelum perlakuan (pretest), rerata kadar SOD kelompok P0 42,51±3,127 U/mL dan kelompok P1 41,87±2,477 U/mL (P > 0,05). Rerata kadar F2-isoprostan kelompok P0 3,18±0,599 ng/ml dan kelompok P1 3,22±0,489 ng/ml (P > 0,05). Setelah perlakuan selama 21 hari (posttest), rerata kadar SOD kelompok P0 43,52±3,472 U/mL dan kelompok P1 31,84±2,563 U/mL (P < 0,01). Rerata kadar F2-isoprostan kelompok P0 2,94±0,500 ng/ml dan kelompok P1 4,47±0,241 ng/ml (P < 0,01). Analisis efek perlakuan menunjukkan terjadi penurunan kadar SOD dan peningkatan kadar F2-isoprostan yang bermakna pada kelompok P1 (P < 0,01). Simpulan: Bisphenol A oral dapat menurunkan kadar superoksida dismutase dan meningkatkan kadar F2-isoprostan pada tikus galur Sprague Dawley jantan.Kata kunci: BPA, SOD, F2-Isoprostan, tikus Sprague Dawley

Background: Physical fitness determines the level of human health. A good physical fitness can be achieved if conducted with a balance and active physical fitness. The aims of this study was to elucidate the effect of balanced physical exercise on physical fitness, endorphin levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Methods: This study was a true experimental with pretest-posttest control group design using 24 students of IKIP PGRI Denpasar. Selected samples divided into two groups: the control group given conventional physical training (P0) and the treatment group given balanced physical training (P1). Physical fitness tests was performed using Cooper method and blood sampling was done to evaluate the level of endorphins and MDA before (pre test) and after (post test) treatment of 8 weeks. The data of endorphin and MDA levels were analyzed using independent T test. Whereas, the physical fitness was analyzed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Physical fitness of the group given a balanced physical training was significantly higher compare to the group given a conventional physical training (p < 0.05). Balanced physical training was proven to enhance physical fitness as measured by the Cooper method better than conventional physical training. In contrast, the levels of endorphins of the balanced physical training group did not different with the conventional physical training group (p > 0.05). Levels of MDA of balanced physical training group also did not different with the conventional physical training group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Balanced physical training can maintain physical fitness of people and improve the health and quality of life.

Background: Excessive exercise cause a deterioration of organ function and structure. Overtraining will cause reduce antioxidant reserve and excess free radical production. In this condition, there will be a decrease in the number of Leydig cells in the testis and followed by a decrease in testosterone level. Bali robusta coffee extract contains active compounds such as alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and polyphenols. This study aims to prove whether Bali robusta coffee extract (Coffea canephora) can prevent a decrease in the number of Leydig cells and testosterone levels in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) with excessive physical training. Methods: Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group (placebo aquabidest 2 ml) and the treatment group (Bali robusta coffee extract of 1 gram/kg BW). Both groups received excessive physical training in the form of swimming until the subjects experienced fatigue for 21-days. Results: The results showed that the mean of Leydig cell number in the treatment group was significantly higher, which was 3.70 ± 0.89 cell/field of view, compared to the control group, which was 2.92 ± 0.65 cell/field of view (p = 0.005). The mean testosterone level in the treatment group was also significantly higher, which was 6.32 ± 0.21 nmol/ml, compared to the control group, which was 1.95 ± 0.32 nmol/ml (p < 0.001).     Conclusion: The administration of Bali robusta coffee extract (Coffea canephora) prevented a decrease in the number of Leydig cells and testosterone levels in male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) with excessive physical training.

AbstrakDislipidemia adalah kelainan metabolisme lipid yang ditandai peningkatan kolesterol total, kolesterol LDL, trigliserida diatas nilai normal serta penurunan kolesterol HDL di dalam darah. V irgin coconut oil (VCO) mengandung 92% lemak jenuh sehingga dikaitkan dengan peningkatan resiko penyakit kardiovaskular. Tidak semua asam lemak jenuh buruk bagi kesehatan. VCO terdiri dari medium chain triglycerides (MCT) dan komponen polifenol bekerja secara sinergis dalam mencegah dislipidemia. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui kegunaan VCO sebagai alternatif untuk mencegah dislipidemia pada tikus putih jantan galur wistar yang diberi diet tinggi kolesterol. Penelitian ini adalah penelitian eksperimental murni dengan randomized post-test only control group design menggunakan 36 ekor tikus putih jantan. Semua sampel diberikan diet tinggi kolesterol, lalu dibagi menjadi 2 kelompok secara random yaitu kelompok kontrol yang diberikan plasebo berupa akuades sebanyak 0,8 ml/ hari dan kelompok perlakuan yang diberikan VCO sebanyak 0,8 ml/ 200 gram berat badan/ hari selama 28 hari. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa rerata kolesterol total kelompok perlakuan lebih rendah dari kelompok kontrol (113,49±4,31 mg/dl vs 222,61±6,41 mg/dl) (p<0,05). Rerata trigliserida kelompok perlakuan lebih rendah dari kelompok kontrol (91,46±5,56 mg/ dl vs 153,51±5,40 mg/dl) (p<0,05). Rerata kolesterol LDL kelompok perlakuan lebih rendah dari kelompok kontrol (37,94±3,32 mg/dl vs 71,25±2,76 mg/dl) (p<0,05). Rerata kolesterol HDL kolesterol total kelompok perlakuan lebih tinggi dari kelompok kontrol (41,62±1,58 mg/dl vs 25,02±2,59 mg/dl) (p<0,05). Penelitian ini menyimpulkan bahwa virgin coconut oil mencegah dislipidemia pada tikus jantan galur wistar yang diberi diet tinggi kolesterol.Kata Kunci: virgin coconut oil, profil lipid, dyslipidemia. Abstract [The Effect of Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera) to Dyslipidemia in Male Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus)Fed with High Cholesterol Diet].Dyslipidemia is a lipid metabolism disorder characterized by high total cholesterol level, high LDL cholesterol level, high tryglyceride level and low HDL cholesterol level. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) contains 92% saturated fat that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Not all saturated fatty acids are bad for health. VCO consist of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) and polyphenol components that work synergistically in preventing dyslipidemia. This research was aimed to determine the usefulness of VCO as an alternative to prevent dyslipidemia in male wistar rats fed with high cholesterol diet. This study was a true experimental research with randomized post-test only control group design using 36 male rats. All samples were given a high cholesterol diet and were divided into 2 groups randomly: a control group were given a placebo (distilled water) 0,8 ml/ day and a treatment group were given VCO 0,8 ml/ 200gram weight/ day for 28 days. The results showed that the treatment group had a significantly lower total cholesterol lev...