Yap Wei Boon

A delayed wound healing process can lead to detrimental complications in chronic wound patients such as tissue necrosis and systemic infections. Application of immunonutrition (IN) in experimental animal models and chronic wound patients has shown promising and improved wound healing processes. IN restores the supply of essential nutrients that are critical for cell growth and tissue repair in the wounded subjects. Several commonly found nutrients in IN formulations include polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), essential amino acids, trace elements such as zinc and vitamins. Recently, some studies suggested the use of traditionally used herbs like curcumin in IN recipes due to its efficient wound healing properties. The roles and functions of IN in wound healing encompass recruitment of white blood cells, platelets and fibroblasts into the wounded area during the coagulation and inflammation phases, enhancement of fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis and neovascularization in...

Myocardial infarction (MI)-associated inflammation is crucial for post-infarct healing. However, unregulated inflammation may lead to unnecessary systemic inflammation, and affect other organs. This study investigated the effects of MI on spleen and kidneys over early time-points (2 and 7 days) in isoprenaline-induced MI rat model. MI was evident by elevated levels of cardiac injury marker, troponin T, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). MI rats showed significant upregulation of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity at day-2 post infarct while kidney MPO activity remained unaffected. Kidney function test revealed only slightly increased plasma urea at day-2 post MI with no changes in plasma creatine at both time-points. Histological observation on the spleen showed disorganization of spleen structure at day-2 post MI while the kidney structures were preserved at both time-points. In conclusion, although MI-associated damages in the spleen were seen at day-2 post infarct, it had no impact on ...

Heart failure-associated morbidity and mortality is largely attributable to extensive and unregulated cardiac remodelling. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) calyces are enriched with natural polyphenols known for antioxidant and anti-hypertensive effects, yet its effects on early cardiac remodelling in post myocardial infarction (MI) setting are still unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the actions of roselle extract on cardiac remodelling in rat model of MI. Male Wistar rats (200-300 g) were randomly allotted into three groups: Control, MI, and MI + Roselle. MI was induced with isoprenaline (ISO) (85 mg/kg, s.c) for two consecutive days followed by roselle treatment (100 mg/kg, orally) for 7 days. Isoprenaline administration showed changes in heart weight to body weight (HW/BW) ratio. MI was especially evident by the elevated cardiac injury marker, troponin-T, and histological observation. Upregulation of plasma levels and cardiac gene expression levels of inflammat...