Fazliana Mansor - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Fazliana Mansor

Metabolites, Nov 17, 2022

BMC women's health, Jan 19, 2018

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Malaysian women remained high over the past three ... more The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Malaysian women remained high over the past three decades. Collaboration with existing community at-risk may be feasible for wide-scale prevention of overweight and obesity in the country. The aims of this study were to examine the impact of community-based lifestyle intervention among overweight and obese women on their anthropometric and body composition changes as compared to the usual care group. This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A total of 255 overweight and obesity individuals aged between 18 to 59 years old were assigned to either the lifestyle intervention group (n = 169) or the usual care group (n = 146) over a period of 6 months. Individuals in the intervention group received 6 individual lifestyle counselling comprised of physical activity, diet counselling and self-monitoring components aimed to achieve at least 5% weight loss while individuals in the usual care group ...

Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproduc... more Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age worldwide. It is characterized by endocrine, reproductive, and metabolic abnormalities. Insulin resistance (IR) is one of its most important clinical features, which has been associated with metabolic disorders and increased risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This study aimed to explore the whole blood gene expression profiling related to IR in PCOS patients compared to controls. Methods Blood RNA was extracted from 5 PCOS and 5 non-PCOS women with matched age and BMI. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) was used to estimate the IR. The expression of IR genes was analyzed by Profiler PCR array. Results Both groups have similar levels of HOMA-IR (p>0.05). However, differential expression levels were observed between them. Fourteen genes were upregulated and 26 genes were downregulated in PCOS samples. Among the upregulated genes (>2 fold-change, p-value<0.05) are ADIPOQ, ADIPOR1, OLR, IGF-1, and APOE. Downregulated genes (>-2 fold-change, p-value<0.05) include HK-2, IRS1, and SERPINE1. These genes are involved in insulin and adipokines signaling, commonly dysregulated in T2D. They are also involved in innate immunity and inflammatory processes and are important for lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Conclusion Our finding suggests that despite both groups having no difference in IR level, there are differentially expressed genes involved in the IR pathway.

The beneficial effects of resistant starch (RS) consumption on health in terms of reducing postpr... more The beneficial effects of resistant starch (RS) consumption on health in terms of reducing postprandial hyperglycemia are evident. However, the potential of local Sarawak sago RS in regulating glucose has not been extensively studied. This study aims to identify glucose lowering effects of Sarawak sago RS namely, native unmodified (RS2) and chemically modified (RS4). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed before and after one-month treatment with sago RS2 and RS4 in spontaneously type 2 diabetes, goto kakizaki rat. The mechanisms involved were further explored by screening the in vitro inhibitory activities of α-Glucosidase and DPP-IV. Histopathology examination for pancreas, kidney and liver tissues was performed in response to sago RS treatment using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.The blood glucose area under the curve (AUC) in RS-treated groups was decreased and significant in RS2-treated group (p<0.05). Improved insulin AUC and higher glucagon like peptide (GLP-1)...

Journal of Obesity, 2020

Introduction. The effect of weight loss magnitude on cardiometabolic risk markers has been sparse... more Introduction. The effect of weight loss magnitude on cardiometabolic risk markers has been sparsely studied, particularly among overweight and obese women from low socioeconomic areas. Objectives. To examine the association of weight loss magnitude with changes in cardiometabolic risk markers in overweight and obese women from low socioeconomic areas engaged in a lifestyle intervention. Methods. Analyses were performed on 243 women (mean body mass index 31.27 ± 4.14 kg/m2) who completed a 12-month lifestyle intervention in low socioeconomic communities in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to compare changes of cardiometabolic risk factors across weight change categories (2% gain, ±2% maintain, >2 to <5% loss, and 5 to 20% loss) within intervention and control group. Results. A graded association for changes in waist circumference, fasting insulin, and total cholesterol (p=0.002, for all variables) across the weight change categories were observed...

International journal of biomedical science : IJBS, 2017

Dioscorea hispida (D.hispida) is the most well-known starchy tuber in Malaysia and called 'ub... more Dioscorea hispida (D.hispida) is the most well-known starchy tuber in Malaysia and called 'ubi gadong'. Despite concerns over toxicity effects, the tuber is known to possess therapeutic values due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as saponins. This study was performed to identify the changes in gene expression profiles associated with hepatoxicity in pregnant rat treated with D.hispida using RT² Profiler PCR Array. The identification of steroidal saponins from D.hispida was carried out by UHPLC/MS method. Treatment of D.hispida caused mortality when dosage above 2000 mg/kg b.w. was given to pregnant rats. The PCR array showed that several genes were significantly up and down-regulated upon treatment with D.hispida. Treatment of D.hispida at 2000 mg/kg b.w leads to significant upregulation of several genes such as Btg2, Gsr, L2hgdn, S100a8, Slc17a3, Bhmt, Cd68, Cyp1a2 whereas several genes were downregulated such as Abcb1a, Aldoa, Cdc14b, Icam1, Krt18, Hpn and Maob....

Journal of Womens Health, Issues and Care, 2016

Introduction: The National Health and Morbidity Survey Malaysia (NHMS 2011) finding showed that f... more Introduction: The National Health and Morbidity Survey Malaysia (NHMS 2011) finding showed that female adults (including housewives) are one of the high risk groups that require specific obesity intervention. This paper describes the development and methodology of the My Body is Fit and Fabulous at home (MyBFF@ home), an intervention study to combat obesity among housewives. Methods: The MyBFF@home was conducted in 2 phases and involved mixed quantitative and qualitative methods. Phase I (development of the intervention package) included scoping review, construction and development of initial package, in-depth interviews and, consultations with experts and stakeholders. Phase II (intervention) was a quasi-experimental study which involved pre-post intervention (6 months of weight loss intervention and 6 months of weight sustainability) among 18-59 year old housewives in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Results: Four components were identified for the Intervention Group: individual diet and physical activity (PA) counselling, selfmonitoring tools (food diary and PA diary), group exercise (brisk walking and pillow dumbbell) and a reduced calorie diet. Weight loss was targeted at 5% from the initial weight, and implemented for 6 months of intervention, and another 6 months of weight sustainability. Monitoring of anthropometric, cardiometabolic parameters, body composition, dietary intake, PA, body pain, quality of life, symptoms related to weight loss and health literacy were included. The Control Group was involved in series of women's seminar and the self-monitoring tools. A total of 328 housewives were recruited from 14 low cost flats. Conclusion: MyBFF@home weight loss intervention for housewives was developed in a systematic manner. The methodology utilised local and international guidelines on the obesity management and it provides evidence on the community-based weight loss intervention among adult females in Malaysia. The package can

Maturitas, 2009

We investigated the effects of a standardized water extract of Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva), ... more We investigated the effects of a standardized water extract of Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva), and compared to estrogen replacement (ERT), on body weight gain, uterus weight, adipose tissue mRNA and protein levels of adipokines in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Eight-week-old OVX Sprague-Dawley rats were administered orally with either 10 mg/kg/day (LPva10), 20 mg/kg/day (LPva20) or 50 mg/kg/day (LPva50) of LPva for 30 days. Sham-operated (Sham) and estrogen-treated OVX rats (ERT, 0.625 mg/kg/day) served as controls. Plasma adipokines were measured, and mRNA expressions of the adipokines were determined in the adipose tissues. ERT- and LPva50-treated OVX rats showed significantly less (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) weight gain compared to untreated OVX rats. Ovariectomy caused plasma leptin levels to decrease significantly (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), but when treated with LPva or ERT, plasma leptin increased significantly to levels higher or comparable to that seen in the Sham group. The mRNA expression of leptin was higher in the LPva-treated animals than in all other groups. In contrast, the elevated plasma resistin concentrations in OVX rats were significantly reduced in rats given ERT (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05) and LPva extracts (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05). There was no difference in adiponectin levels in all groups. The uterus to body weight ratio of untreated OVX rats was significantly low compared to Sham (p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.05), but showed dose-dependent increase upon treatment with LPva. The present study provides first evidence that LPva exerts uterotrophic effect and regulates body weight gain by modulating secretion of leptin and resistin, and expression of the adipokines in adipose tissues.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2010

In Malaysia, Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva) has been used by women for generations. Traditional... more In Malaysia, Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva) has been used by women for generations. Traditionally, the plant is boiled, either alone or in decoction with other herbs. It is claimed to have health benefits such as to contract the uterus after childbirth, allay painful menstruation and irregular periods and to generally alleviate fatigue. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the scientific basis of LPva phytoestrogenic activities in different animal models and cell lines. In Paper I, we investigated the effects of a standardized water extract of LPva (10, 20 and 50 mg/kg body weight/day) and compared to estrogen replacement (ERT), on body weight gain, uterus weight, adipose tissue mRNA and protein levels of adipokines in ovariectomized (OVX) female Sprague-Dawley rats. After a month of oral treatment, ERT-and LPva-treated OVX rats showed significantly less weight gain compared to untreated OVX rats. Ovariectomy caused plasma leptin levels to decrease significantly but when treated with LPva or ERT, plasma leptin and mRNA levels increased to levels higher or comparable to that seen in the sham operated control rats (SHAM). In contrast, the elevated plasma resistin concentrations in OVX rats were significantly reduced in rats given ERT and LPva extracts. The uterus to body weight ratio of untreated OVX rats was significantly low compared to SHAM, but showed dose-dependent increase upon treatment with LPva. The study provides evidence that LPva exerts uterotrophic effect and regulates body weight gain. In Paper II, we evaluated the effects of LPva on 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (Hsd11b1) and corticosterone (CORT) expressions in OVX rats. Hsd11b1 was chosen because it was highly expressed in a microarray analysis of OVX rat liver compared to SHAM. Using samples from Paper I, Hsd11b1 expressions were measured and found that mRNA levels in liver of OVX rats were significantly increased when compared to SHAM and restored to normal level after treatment with LPva or ERT. In adipose tissues, the Hsd11b1 mRNA level of OVX group was increased by 55 % in comparison to SHAM, normalized in LPva. Protein levels of 11β-HSD1 were downregulated in both liver and adipose tissue of LPva-and ERT-treated rats, in comparison to OVX rats. CORT levels in OVX group increased significantly compared to SHAM. The results showed that the treatment with LPva normalized Hsd11b1 mRNA expression and 11β-HSD1 levels in OVX rats, in parallel with decreased CORT levels. Thus, LPva is useful for postmenopausal treatment based upon its regulation at body weight partially via inhibition of Hsd11b1 expression in adipose tissue and liver. In Paper III, we investigated the effect of LPva on body composition and metabolic features in a rat model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). LPva (50 mg/kg body weight daily) increased uterine weight (27%) and insulin sensitivity (36%) measured by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp compared to control PCOS rats. Lipid profile was improved in LPva rats and plasma resistin levels were increased. In adipose tissue, LPva decreased leptin mRNA expression but did not affect expression of resistin and adiponectin. No effects on body composition, adipocyte size or plasma leptin levels were observed. Therefore, in this study, LPva increases uterine weight, indicating estrogenic effects, and improves insulin sensitivity and lipid profile in PCOS rats without affecting body composition. In Paper IV, the effects of LPva treatment on urinary tract infection (UTI) were investigated in an infection model using uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain CFT073 and the bladder epithelial cell line, T24. Our results demonstrate that LPva treatment induced apoptosis and significantly reduced the number of intracellular E.coli in bladder epithelial cells. LPva-induced apoptosis was coupled with up-regulated expression of pro-apoptotic caveolin-1. LPva treatment down-regulated the expression of β1 integrin as indicated by reduced levels of gene specific mRNA. However, LPva did not exhibit direct antimicrobial properties and did not influence antimicrobial peptide levels in cells. These findings suggest that LPva facilitates the exfoliation of infected bladder cells and may thereby mediate beneficial effects during UTI.

Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2011

The impact of vitamin D on the innate immune response to uropathogenic Escherichia coli during pr... more The impact of vitamin D on the innate immune response to uropathogenic Escherichia coli during pregnancy.

Journal of natural medicines, 2012

We evaluated the effects of a standardized Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva) extract on body weigh... more We evaluated the effects of a standardized Labisia pumila var. alata (LPva) extract on body weight change, hydroxysteroid (11-beta) dehydrogenase 1 (HSD11B1) expressions and corticosterone (CORT) level in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The decoction of LPva has been used for generations among Malay women in Malaysia to maintain a healthy reproductive system.Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley OVX rats were treated orally with LPva extract (10, 20 or 50 mg/kg/day) or estrogen replacement (ERT) for 30 days. Sham operated rats were used as controls. Compared to untreated OVX rats, LPva-treated rats showed less weight gain and had significantly down-regulated HSD11B1 mRNA in liver tissues. HSD11B1 mRNA in adipose tissues increased by 55% (p < 0.05) in OVX rats but normalized in rats treated with LPva. Similarly, there was significant down-regulation (p < 0.05) of protein levels of HSD11B1 in both liver and adipose tissue of LPva and ERT groups, and CORT levels were significantly reduced in both...

Advances in Pharmacological Sciences, 2013

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-activated transcription ... more Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism. We investigated the effects ofLabisia pumila(LP) standardized water extract on PPARgamma transcriptional activity in adipocytesin vitroandin vivo. We used a rat model of dihydrotestosterone- (DHT-) induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition characterized by insulin resistance. At 9 weeks of age, the PCOS rats were randomly subdivided into two groups: PCOS-LP (50 mg/kg/day of LP) and PCOS-control (1 mL of deionised water) for 4-5 weeks on the same schedule. Real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the PPARgamma mRNA levels. LP upregulated PPARgamma mRNA level by 40% in the PCOS rats. Western blot analysis further demonstrated the increased PPARgamma protein levels in parallel with upregulation in mRNA. These observations were further proven by adipocytes culture. Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with final conc...

The Malaysian journal of medical sciences : MJMS

The detection and analysis of microsatellites is very important for the mapping of genetic diseas... more The detection and analysis of microsatellites is very important for the mapping of genetic diseases because they are commonly used as genetic markers. Microsatellite marker D19S884 has been associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common reproductive endocrine disease of women in their childbearing years. It is responsible for an estimated 70% of cases of anovulatory infertility. In this work, we detected microsatellites in DNA extracted from the blood of PCOS patients. DNA microsatellites were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a pair of specific primers tagged with fluorescence to yield products of 160-200 base pairs in length. Alleles were separated on 4% low-melting agarose gels; stained with a safe gel staining, GelRed™, which is an alternative to ethidium bromide; and visualised by ultraviolet illumination. Bands were observed, but their base-pairs differences were difficult to distinguish. To identify each allele clearly, the PCR products wer...

BMC Women's Health, 2018

Background: The effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for weight loss on cardiometabolic risk f... more Background: The effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for weight loss on cardiometabolic risk factors among overweight and obese individuals in the community setting remains inconclusive. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a 6-month weight loss lifestyle intervention on cardiometabolic risk factors among overweight and obese women and the sustainability of the changes in those markers at 12-month follow-up, comparing an intervention group with a control group. Methods: A total of 243 participants from MyBFF@home were included in this study. Fasting blood samples at baseline, 6-and 12-month were assessed for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglycerides. The effect of the intervention on cardiometabolic risk markers were investigated within and between study groups using t-test and general linear model (GLM) repeated measure ANOVA. Results: Results from repeated measures ANOVA showed intervention effect only in TC where significant reduction was found in the intervention group (− 0.26 mmol/L [95% CI:-0.47 to − 0.06], p < 0.01) compared to the control group (− 0.06 mmol/L [95% CI:-0.28 to 0.17]) at 12 months. At 6 months, TC was reduced significantly in both groups but only intervention group retained the reduction in maintenance phase while, the level increased significantly in the control group (0.22 mmol/L [95% CI: 0.06 to 0.38]). This attributed to significant increase in TC/HDL-C ratio in the control group during maintenance phase (0.32 [95% CI: 0.15 to 0.50], p < 0.001). The intervention group also showed trend of reduction in FPG at 6 months and further decreased during maintenance phase (− 0.19 mmol/L [95% CI:-0. 32 to − 0.06], p < 0.01). At 6 months HDL-C was maintained in the intervention group but reduced significantly in the control group (− 0.05 mmol/L [95% CI:-0.10 to − 0.01], p < 0.05). No significant difference was detected in both markers when compared between groups.

Frontiers in Endocrinology

Insulin resistance (IR) is an important variable in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS). C... more Insulin resistance (IR) is an important variable in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Currently, IR is not part of the existing pediatric definition of MetS, instead elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) is measured as an indicator of hyperglycemia. Arguably, many obese children with severe IR are still able to regulate their FBG well. Hence, this study aimed to assess the utility of triglyceride-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG : HDL-C) ratio as an IR marker in the modeling of pediatric MetS among children with obesity using structural equation modeling (SEM). A total of 524 blood samples from children with obesity (age 10–16 years old) were analyzed for FBG, lipids, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin. Both exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine TG : HDL-C ratio as an IR marker in pediatric MetS. EFA shows that TG: HDL-C ratio (standardized factor loading = 0.904) groups together with homeostasis model assessment-estimated in...

Objective: To compare the cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic features between hon-hyperand... more Objective: To compare the cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic features between hon-hyperandrogenic and hyperandrogenic Malay women with PCOS. Design: Cross-sectional clinic based study. Subjects: 109 Malay women with PCOS based on the Rotterdam criteria divided into non-hyperandrogenic and hyperandrogenic phenotypical groups. Measurements: Anthropometric, biochemical and endocrinological parameters were compared between the two groups of Malay PCOS women. Results: Overall, both groups women had very similar metabolic and endocrine characteristics. Cardiovascular risk factors were comparable in both phenotypes of PCOS. Regression analysis indicated that free testosterone and HbA1c were significantly higher in the hyperandrogenic women (p =.002 and p =.021 respectively). Conclusions: Malay women with non-hyperandrogenic and hyperandrogenic PCOS phenotypes have similar cardiometabolic profile and cardiovascular risk factor prevalences. Therefore, all Malay women with PCOS should ...