Authors: Donald Koh Fook Chen, Joon Wah Mak, Soo Shen Ooi, Kok Fee Mak, Kwai Hoe Chong.

ABSTRACT

Background: We previously evaluated the biochemical changes induced by the local product TCM for diabetes (TCM-D™) on blood glucose levels and other biochemical changes in normal mice fed orally with the recommended human dose (30 ml/kg daily) and ten times this dose for eight weeks. TCM-D™ is an aqueous extract of the roots of Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, Paeonia lactiflora Pall, Glycyrrhiza uranlensis Fisch. and Panax ginseng Meyer (red) combined at the dry weight proportions of 36%, 28%, 18% and 18% respectively. The study showed that at these dosages the blood glucose levels as well as the body weights in treated mice were significantly reduced when compared with pretreatment values and control animals. The present study evaluated the effect of the extract in a mouse model of Type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: TCM-D™ extract was prepared as a 10x concentrate and given orally at 0.3 ml/100 g and 1.5 ml/100 g to mice which were experimentally induced diabetic with intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (5 mg/100g) in sodium citrate (pH 4.5). Control diabetic mice were dosed with extract diluent (distilled water).

Results: At the doses studied the compound did not show any significant lowering of the glucose levels in a mouse model of Type 1 diabetes. There were significant increases in the alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and creatinine levels which were most likely due to the treatment with the compound. There were no significant changes in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and blood urea levels due to the treatment. Neither was there any significant effect on the weight of the treated animals due to the treatment.

Conclusions: It is concluded that TCM-D™ did not have any significant blood glucose lowering effect on streptozotocin induced diabetic mice when fed orally at 1-5 times the recommended human dose. Further work is needed to determine if the extract has any significant effect in a mouse model with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Traditional Chinese Medicine; experimental diabetes in mice; Type 1 diabetes mellitus, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim; Paeonia lactiflora Pall; Glycyrrhiza uranlensis Fisch; Panax ginseng Meyer (red).

Citation: IeJSME 2013 7(1): 4-9

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.7.1.4

Authors: Siew Kheong Lum, Wei Rong Lee, Syn Dee Ch’ng, Navin Raj a/l Balachandran, Chee Kit Tee.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Undergraduate medical education should be broad-based, holistic, integrated and should promote a framework for the development of higher order cognitive skills like communication, professionalism and teamwork to prepare the student for a life-long challenging medical career. Recent calls for a competency-based medical education require, in addition, competency in clinical and procedural skills prior to graduation. This study investigates how often opportunities exist for medical students to perform four common ward procedures prior to graduation.

Method: A prospective cross-sectional study to assess the opportunities a medical student have in performing four common ward procedures, comprising intravenous cannulation, nasogastric tube insertion, urinary catheterisation and chest tube insertion, in a State General hospital in Malaysia was done.

Results: A medical student has sufficient opportunity to perform only intravenous cannulation prior to graduation. He has a remote chance to insert a urinary catheter and is unlikely to have the opportunity to insert a nasogastric tube or insert a chest tube prior to graduation.

Conclusion: Although competency in clinical skills and procedural skills prior to graduation are desirable, this is increasingly difficult to achieve due to shortage of clinical material, teachers to supervise, the large numbers of medical students and house officers, the short time spent on the main disciplines and the failure of many universities to invest heavily in skills laboratories staffed by full time clinicians. The calls to introduce competency-based medical education in undergraduate medical education, particularly in procedural competence, should take into account the challenges in delivery and the realities in the hospitals today. This is necessary to avoid demoralising students who are unable to achieve their quota of procedures through no fault of theirs.

Keywords: procedural competency, medical education Malaysia.

Citation: IeJSME 2013 7(1): 10-14

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.7.1.10

Authors: Tri Yuliani, Sudibyo Martono, Sansan Sukamdani Tjipto, Muhammad Yusuf Putroutomo, Irwan Desyanto Raharjo Indartono.

ABSTRACT

Background: Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) have an important role in the detoxification of electrophiles, such as some anticancer drugs. Compounds with phenolic and/or α,b-unsaturated carbonyl group have been known as GSTs inhibitor in vitro. Cefadroxil in vitro decreased GST-Pi activity but not GSTs in rat kidney cytosol. GST inhibitor in a specific organ and of a specific class is needed for safety in cancer chemotherapy. The study aims to observe the effect of cefadroxil on GSTs in vivo in rat kidney cytosol and then compare it to those seen for liver, lung, and spleen in vivo.

Methods: Cefadroxil was given twice a day by forcefeeding for five days. Rat kidney cytosol was then prepared and its protein concentration was determined. Cytosolic total GST, GST-Mu and GST-Pi activities were monitored by a continuous spectrophotometric method using the following substrates: 1-chloro, 2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) (non specific substrate), 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) for GST-Mu, and ethacrynic acid (EA) for GST-Pi.

Results: The data showed that cefadroxil significantly increased the activity of GSTs, GST-Mu, and GSTPi in rat kidney cytosol (8.75%, 47.81%, and 6.67% respectively).

Conclusion: Cefadroxil did not inhibit GSTs, GST-Mu, and GST-Pi in rat kidney in vivo indicating that it does not inhibit chemotherapy detoxification by GSTs, GSTMu, and GST-Pi in normal kidney cells.

Keywords: GSTs, cefadroxil, specific substrates, in vivo, co-therapy.

Citation: IeJSME 2013 7(1): 15-20

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.7.1.15

Author: Abu Bakar Suleiman

Citation: IeJSME 2013 7(1): 21-23

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.7.1.21

Author: Siang Tong Kew

ABSTRACT

Building on two decades as a private health professional university, the International Medical University prepares for the third decade, taking stock of the challenges in changing epidemiology and pattern of disease, changing demography and healthcare, as well as explosion in knowledge and information technology. The Global Independent Commission provided a framework for instructional and institutional reforms, and the IMU will use its 3 I’s (insight, imagination & innovation) in adopting these measures. Some of the instructional reforms are already in place, others need to be further nurtured and promoted. In its third decade, competency based curriculum, inter-professional learning, IT, global collaboration, educational resources, new professionalism and emphasis on quality improvement will help ensure IMU train and produce competent, caring and ethical health professionals fit to tackle 21st century challenges.

Keywords: Health professional, education, 21st century, instructional reform.

Citation: IeJSME 2013 7(1): 24-28

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56026/imu.7.1.24