Introduction. Nigella sativa is a commonly used traditional medicine which has been shown to have antioxidant properties. However, its supplementation in patients of clinical trials showed conflicting results. Materials and Method. Relevant articles were searched through PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases using “Nigella sativa” or “black seed” or “black caraway” or “thymoquinone” and “oxidative stress” or “antioxidant” and “clinical trial” keywords. Randomized, placebo-controlled human interventions using Nigella sativa were included in this study. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using Jadad’s quality scales. Results. Five studies using 293 subjects met the inclusion criteria. The overall quality of all included trials was determined based on the low risk of bias and the high quality of reported information (Jadad score ≥ 3). Meta-analysis of 293 eligible subjects showed that treatment with Nigella sativa improved the superoxide dismutase (SOD) level (48.18; 95% CI 30.29 to 66.08; p<0.01), but there was no significant effect on the malondialdehyde (MDA) level (−5.32; 95% CI −1.19 to 0.128; p=0.114) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level (0.219; 95% CI −0.136 to 0.573; p = 0.227). Conclusion. This meta-analysis suggests that Nigella sativa supplementation in humans may benefit as an antioxidant by increasing SOD levels but has no significant effect on the MDA level and TAC level.

Background. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality during Hajj. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of classical cardiovascular disease risk factors on mortality and hospitalization among Hajj pilgrims from East Java, Indonesia, during 2017, 2018, and 2019. Methods. This study was a retrospective cohort of Hajj pilgrims from East Java, Indonesia, from 2017 to 2019. The data on risk factors were obtained from the pre-embarkation Hajj screening records. The diagnosis of hospitalization and cause of death during the Hajj period were obtained from the medical report and hospital/flight doctor death certificate. Results. A total of 72078 eligible subjects were included in this study. 33807 (46.9) were men, and 38271 (53.1) were women, and the majority (35) were aged between 50 and 59years. A total of 42446 pilgrims (58.9) were classified as high risk due to underlying health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, or if they were aged 60years or older. The overall hospitalization rate is 971 per 100,000 pilgrims and the overall death rate is 240 deaths per 100,000 pilgrims. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression showed that male gender, age>50years, hypertension grade II-III, diabetes, overweight, and obesity were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. Moreover, male gender, diabetes, and overweight were associated with a higher risk of mortality. Of all hospitalized patients, 92 patients (13.1) had an initial diagnosis of CVD, and CVD is the main cause of mortality (38.2) of pilgrims. Conclusion. Pilgrims with classical cardiovascular risk factors were associated with increased hospitalization and mortality.

At present, RNA-based therapy which includes therapies using non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and aptamers are gaining widespread attention as possible ways to target genes in various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), thereby serving as a promising therapeutic approach for CVDs and risk factors management. However, data are primarily in an early stage. A systematic review was carried out using literature from several databases (Pubmed, Cochrane, Scopus, and DOAJR) following the PRISMA guidelines. Of the 64 articles reviewed, 39 papers were included in this review with three main types of RNAs: aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), and small-interfering RNA (siRNA). All studies were human clinical trials. RNA-based therapies were demonstrated to be efficacious in treating various CVDs and controlling cardiovascular risk factors. They are generally safe and well-tolerated. However, data are still in the early stage and warrant further investigation.

Background Police officers are known for fieldwork shifts, psychological stress, and prolonged physical activity that are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aim to determine the differences in CVD risks factor and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP) profiles as a predictor of cardiac events between police officers and civilians in a developing country as an evaluation and strategic preventive measure for CVD. Methods 978 participants were enrolled as subjects in this cross-sectional study. Data used were obtained during medical check-ups using complete physical and laboratory examinations including blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, and AIP between 2019 and 2020 at Bhayangkara State Police Hospital Surabaya. Mann-Whitney U test was performed using IBM SPSS version 25. Results There are significant differences in systolic (p = 0.000) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.003), triglycerides (p = 0.000), LDL-C (p = 0.006), total cholesterol (p = 0.000), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.001), and the AIP (p = 0.000) between the police and civilian groups, with the latter showing a tendency of having higher rates. Conclusions CVD risk was found in both groups. Nevertheless, police officers have higher AIP and overall CVD risk compared to civilians, creating a necessity for aggressive CVD prevention strategies within the population.

Since adipocytes play a crucial role in pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‑CoV‑2) infection due to their interaction with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), obesity is associated with an increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mortality. Discovery of ACE2 as a SARS-CoV-2 receptor raises a controversy about whether to use ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) could be an optional therapy to prevent cytokine storms. Studies assessing the expressions of ACE2 and IL-6 upon exposure to SARS‑CoV‑2 is therefore important as a basis for therapeutical trials in the future. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein exposure on the production of ACE2 and IL-6 in adipocyte cells. Adipocytes were collected from abdominal adipose tissues of healthy and obese 45-year-old male donor having neither a history of SARS‑CoV‑2 infection nor COVID-19 vaccination. After being stained using the oil red O protocol, the viable adipocytes were then exposed to S1 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The levels of ACE2 and IL-6 were then examined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed significant increase of ACE2 (90.22 µg/mL) and IL-6 level (60.01 µg/mL) in human adipocytes upon exposure compared to unexposed control cells (ACE2 13.33 µg/mL; IL-6 21.33 µg/mL), both comparisons had p<0.001). This study provides insight into the basic mechanism of severe COVID-19 symptoms in obese patients and provides a basic information of the potential of ACE inhibitors as an optional therapy for COVID-19 patients with obesity.

Obesity is a global health problem with growing prevalence in developing countries. Obesity causes chronic inflammation due to imbalances between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. This causes metabolic complications such as dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorder. Carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) is a predictor of atherosclerosis which could be measured easily and non-invasively. Early detection of cardiovascular diseases in obese adolescents at risk is hoped to improve outcomes. This is a cross-sectional study on obese adolescents aged 13-16 year old at Pediatric Clinic of Dr. Soetomo General Hospital. Obesity is defined as Body mass index higher than 95th percentiles according to CDC (2000). Dyslipidemia is diagnosed when either an increase in cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride or a decrease in HDL level is found, as recommended by NCPE and American Academy of Pediatrics. Hypertension is defined as an increase of blood pressure > P95 according to age and gender. The differences of CIMT based on dyslipidemia, hypertension, and gender were analyzed with Wilcoxon Mann Whitney with significant p value (p < 0,005). This study included 59 obese adolescents, consisting of 32 (54.2%) male adolescents and 35 (59.3%) female adolescents. Dyslipidemia was found on 38 (64.4%) adolescents and hypertension was found on 35 (59.3%) adolescents. No difference of CIMT was found between obese adolescents with and without dyslipidemia and with and without hypertension based on gender (p > 0.05). No difference of CIMT based on gender between adolescents aged below 18. The high number of dyslipidemia and hypertension in obese adolescents need an early detection of cardiovascular complication.