Althea Medical Journal
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Physical Activity Levels Based on Indonesian Population Characteristics: Evidence from the Indonesian Family Life Survey-5
No full textBackground: According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of the global population is physically inactive. Sedentary behavior is a major contributor to the increasing risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to describe physical activity levels among the Indonesian population and examine their associations with sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from March to November 2024 using secondary data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey-5 (IFLS-5). Variables analyzed included age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, body mass index (BMI), perceived health status, occupation, education level, residence, sleep quality, smoking status, and physical activity level. A total of 4,156 respondents were included. Associations between population characteristics and physical activity levels were examined using the chi-square test.Results: Nearly half of the respondents engaged in light physical activity (47.8%), followed by moderate (28.0%) and vigorous physical activity (24.2%). Significant associations were found between physical activity levels and age (p=0.015), gender (p<0.001), ethnicity (p=0.006), occupation (p<0.001), education level (p<0.001), residence (p<0.001), sleep quality (p<0.001), and smoking status (p<0.001). Agricultural workers (46.7%) and individuals with severe sleep disturbances (40.0%) were more likely to engage in vigorous physical activity.Conclusion: Most Indonesians engage predominantly in light physical activity. Several sociodemographic and lifestyle factors are significantly associated with physical activity levels, underscoring the importance of promoting healthier and more active lifestyles.
Early Metabolic Alterations and Predictors of Obesity Among Young Adults in Indonesia: Focus on Lipid Abnormalities and Cardiometabolic Risk
No full textBackground: The prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising among young adults, contributing to early cardiometabolic risk amid lifestyle transitions in Indonesia. This study examined the associations between obesity, MetS components, and body composition among Indonesian young adults.Methods: A total of 99 participants were classified based on body mass index (BMI) into normoweight (n=51) and obese (n=48) groups. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, blood pressure, and lipid profiles were assessed. MetS was defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) criteria. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors independently associated with obesity. Results: Obesity was significantly associated with several MetS components. Abdominal obesity was observed only in the obese group (33.3%). Hypertriglyceridemia and low HDL cholesterol were more prevalent among obese participants compared with normoweight individuals (27.1% vs. 5.9% and 51.0% vs. 31.4%, respectively). MetS (≥3 NCEP ATP III criteria) was identified in 12.5% of obese participants and was absent in the normoweight group. Multivariable analysis identified family history of hypertension (adjusted OR 2.82; 95% CI 1.06–7.48) and elevated triglyceride levels (adjusted OR 4.78; 95% CI 1.13–20.22) as independent predictors of obesity.Conclusions: Obese young adults exhibit early metabolic abnormality, particularly abdominal obesity, low HDL cholesterol, and hypertriglyceridemia. Early metabolic screening and targeted preventive strategies are important to reduce future cardiometabolic risk.
Reduced Left Ventricular Global Longitudinal Strain in Obese Adolescents
No full textBackground: Obesity in adolescents is associated with early cardiac structural and functional alterations that may progress to ventricular dysfunction later in life. Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D STE) enables early identification of subclinical ventricular dysfunction. Nevertheless, its application in the adolescents remains limited. This study aimed to assess differences in left ventricular (LV) function among well-nourished, overweight, and obese adolescents using 2D STE.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adolescents aged 15–18 years from five senior high schools in Bandung, Indonesia between June and August 2023. Participants were randomly categorized into well-nourished, overweight, and obese groups. Transthoracic echocardiographic using M-mode and 2DSTE was performed to evaluate LV function, particularly global longitudinal strain (GLS). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS with significance defined as p<0.05.Results: Sixty adolescents were included, 65% were male with a mean age of 16.4±0.6 years. Conventional echocardiography showed no significant differences in systolic or diastolic function among groups. However, obese adolescents demonstrated significantly greater LV posterior wall thickness and larger LV and right ventricular basal volumes compared with other groups. GLS analysis revealed significantly reduced LV deformation in obese group compared with overweight and well-nourished groups (–20.0±1.9 vs. –22.3±1.4 vs. –22.7±1.9, respectively; p<0.001).Conclusion: Reduced LV GLS detected by 2D STE indicates early subclinical myocardial dysfunction in obese adolescents despite normal conventional echocardiographic findings. Early cardiovascular screening and lifestyle interventions, including balanced nutrition and regular physical activity, may help reduce future cardiometabolic risk
Effects of Aloe Vera Extract on Basal Cell Thickness and Lymphocyte Infiltration at the Gastroesophageal Junction in a Rat Model of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
No full textBackground: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder with increasing global prevalence. Aloe vera contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of Aloe vera extract in a Sprague-Dawley rat model of GERD.Methods: This experimental study included 32 male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly divided into eight groups: normal (N), negative control (NC), two positive controls receiving pantoprazole for 7 or 14 days (PCI and PCII), and four treatment groups receiving Aloe vera extract at doses of 250 or 500 mg/kg body weight for 7 or 14 days (DI–DIV). After treatment, the rats were euthanized and gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) tissues were collected for histopathological analysis. Basal cell thickness and lymphocyte infiltration were assessed. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by post hoc testing.Results: Administration of Aloe vera extract at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight significantly reduced basal cell thickness compared with the untreated GERD group (p0.05).Conclusions: Aloe vera extract exhibits anti-inflammatory effects in GERD-induced rats by reducing basal cell thickness at the GEJ. These findings suggest its potential as a complementary therapeutic approach for GERD, although further studies are needed to evaluate long-term efficacy and safety
Evaluation of Urinary hsa-miR-21-5p Expression as a Non-Invasive Biomarker for Prostate Cancer
No full textBackground: Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies among men worldwide. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and prostate biopsy are commonly used for diagnosis. However, these methods may be invasive and can lead to delayed detection in some cases. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of hsa-miR-21-5p in urine samples from prostate cancer patients compared with healthy individuals to assess its potential as a non-invasive biomarker.Methods: This observational study used a cross-sectional design and was conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, between October and December 2018. Expression profiling of hsa-miR-21-5p was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in urine samples obtained from 16 prostate cancer patients and four healthy controls. Relative expression levels were analyzed using GenEx software and calculated using the Livak (2^−ΔΔCt) method.Results: A slight decrease in hsa-miR-21-5p expression was observed in urine samples from prostate cancer patients compared with healthy controls (fold change=0.7; p>0.05).Conclusion: Expression of hsa-miR-21-5p shows a tendency toward downregulation in urine samples of prostate cancer patients, however, no statistically significant difference is identified. Further studies with larger sample sizes are required to clarify its potential role as a non-invasive biomarker for prostate cancer detection.
Insomnia as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease Among Adults in Eastern Indonesia
No full textBackground: Insomnia is a common sleep disorder with increasing prevalence among adults and has been linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to investigate the association between insomnia severity and CVD risk among adults.Methods: This correlational study with a cross-sectional design involved adults aged 30–59 years with insomnia. Participants were recruited using convenience sampling, at Kota Hospital and Bahteramas Hospital, Kendari, Indonesia, between November 2023 and April 2024. Insomnia severity was measured using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and CVD risk was assessed using the Framingham Risk Score. Data were analyzed using the Pearson chi-square and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Of the 144 respondents, the majority were female (59.0%), aged >50 years (62.5%) with a mean age of 49.63±10.08 years. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was the most common comorbidity (39.6%), and 57.6% were smokers. Most respondents had moderate insomnia (87%) and low CVD risk (66%). Severe insomnia was more frequently observed among participants with moderate and high CVD risk. A significant positive relationship was found between insomnia severity and CVD risk (p=0.000, r=0.669), with insomnia explaining 50.2% of the variance in CVD risk.Conclusion: Insomnia is significantly associated with cardiovascular risk and may represent a modifiable lifestyle-related risk factor. Improving sleep quality may contribute to healthier lifestyles and reduced CVD risk.
Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Irisin, Telomerase, Klotho, and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in Elderly: A Quasi-Experimental Study
Full text linkEffects of Moderate-Intensity Treadmill Training on Cardiac Mitochondrial Mitophagy and Dynamics in Young and Aged Wistar Rats
No full textBackground: Cardiac aging is closely associated with mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired quality control mechanism. Exercise has been shown to modulate mitochondrial homeostasis, however, its effects on cardiac mitophagy and mitochondrial dynamics during aging remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of moderate-intensity treadmill training on mitochondrial maintenance-related gene expression in the hearts of young and aged Wistar rats.Methods: Young and aged rats were divided into four groups: young control, young exercise, aged control, and aged exercise (n=6 per group). Exercise groups performed treadmill running at 20 m/min for 30 minutes/day, 5 days/week for 8 weeks. Cardiac gene expression levels of Pink1, Parkin, Mfn1, Mfn2, Opa1, Drp1, and Fis1 were analyzed using semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test followed by appropriate post hoc analyses.Results: Exercise significantly increased Mfn2 expression in aged exercise rats compared with aged controls (p=0.029), suggesting partial restoration of age-related decline. Expression of Mfn1 and Drp1 varied among groups but showed no significant pairwise differences. Expression levels of Opa1, Fis1, Pink1, and Parkin remained unchanged. These results indicate that moderate exercise selectively enhances mitochondrial fusion capacity while maintaining balanced fission and basal mitophagy activity.Conclusion: Moderate-intensity treadmill training promotes mitochondrial fusion-related adaptation in aging cardiac tissue. Regular moderate exercise may represent a potential non-pharmacological strategy to support mitochondrial function and mitigate cardiovascular aging.
Protective Effect of Black Rice Extract Cream on Ultraviolet B-Induced Skin Hyperpigmentation in Mice
Full text linkBackground: Hyperpigmentation is a common sign of skin aging caused by prolonged ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure. Black rice (Oryza sativa L. var glutinosa), known for its high antioxidant content, has moisturizing and regenerative properties that may support skin health. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of black rice extract cream on transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) expression in a UVB-induced hyperpigmentation mouse model.Method: An in vivo experimental study with post test only control group design was conducted in 2024 at the Stem Cell and Cancer Research Laboratory, Semarang, Indonesia. Twenty-eight male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: healthy control (K1), UVB-exposed negative control group (K2), UVB-exposed group treated with 7.5% (K3) and 15 % (K4) black rice extract cream for14 days. On day 15, TGF-β and TNF-α expression levels were analyzed using the RTq-PCR, normalized to GAPDH. Data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA followed by post-hoc testing.Results: TGF-β gene expression was the highest in K4 (1.87±0.23), followed by K3 (1.52±0.42l) which was statistically significant different between groups (p=000); whereas TNF-α gene expression was the lowest in K4 (1.92±1.02) compared with K3 (5.40±2.28), and the difference between groups was also statistically significant (p=000). Conclusion: Black rice extract cream increase TGF-β expression and reduces TNF-α expression in UVB-induced hyperpigmentation. These findings suggests its potential as a natural topical agent to mitigate UVB-induced skin damage and premature aging
Yoga Reduces Body Shape Dissatisfaction Among Young Adults
Full text linkBackground: Body shape dissatisfaction is frequently experienced by young adults and may negatively impact mental well-being. Yoga is increasingly recognized as a non-pharmacological intervention to support body image and self-acceptance. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of yoga in reducing body shape dissatisfaction among young adults.Methods: A pre-post experimental study was conducted in 2022 among young adults experiencing body shapes dissatisfaction, selected through purposive sampling. The Body Shape Questionnaire-34 (BSQ-34) was used to measure dissatisfaction, with a total score >80 indicating dissatisfaction. Participants were randomly assigned to a yoga intervention group or a control group. The intervention group practiced Yoga Asana (posture) and Pranayama (breathing) three times per week for ten weeks via online sessions. The BSQ-34 was distributed before and after intervention. Data were analyzed using paired t-test and SPSS version 22.0. Results: A total of 477 participants from a faculty of medicine in Jakarta, Indonesia were included; 45.3% were identified as dissatisfied with their body shape. In the yoga group, the BSQ-34 score significantly decreased after the intervention (p <0.05), indicating reduced dissatisfaction. In contrast, the control group showed a slight increase in average BSQ-34 score.Conclusions: Practicing Yoga Asana and Pranayama significantly reduce body shape dissatisfaction among young adults. Therefore, yoga may serve as a healthy choice that helps improve body image and overall mental well-being in young adults