Studies evaluating the association between pulse wave velocity (PWV), a gold standard measurement of aortic stiffness
and established markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with other established vascular markers or inflammation
among young adult is still scarce. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify relevant studies on the
association between PWV with other vascular markers or inflammation. Relevant articles from Ovid Medline, Science
Direct and Scopus databases were explored between 2009 and March 2018. Original articles published in English
measuring any correlation between carotid-femoral PWV (PWVcf) with either augmentation index (AIx), carotid intima
media thickness (CIMT) or C-reactive protein (CRP) on young adult with age range between 18 and 45 years old were
included. The literature search identified 21 potential articles to be reviewed, which meet all the inclusion criteria.
Four articles investigated the correlation between PWVcf with CRP, however only two studies gave significant but weak
correlations. As for CIMT, a single relevant article was found and the correlation was not significant. In conclusion, lack
of association between PWV and other vascular markers and inflammation may suggest that these vascular markers have
their own property in assessing vascular status. Thus, these markers should be measured independently for comprehensive
assessment of future CVD risk.
Piper sarmentosum (PS) is an herb with various medicinal properties. The antioxidant activity of PS contributes to many
of its pharmacological effects such as anti-hypertension, anti-cancer and anti-diabetes. This systematic review provides
information regarding the antioxidant activity of PS. The review was conducted systematically to identify relevant published
articles on the antioxidant activity of PS. The collected data was based on the searched articles through PubMed, Science
Direct and Scopus databases between the years 1946 until March 2018. Only articles written in English and related
to antioxidant activity of PS were included in this review. Based on the literature searched, 130 potential articles were
identified and 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. Ten studies related to chemical assays, five studies combined in vivo
animal and chemical assays, three studies combined chemical assays and in vitro studies and a single study combined
chemical assay, in vitro and in vivo studies were included in this review. All studies showed positive effects of PS against
oxidation, indicating the potential of PS as a source of natural antioxidant.
Hypertension is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and has been associated with about 13% of global deaths
worldwide. Oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability contribute to the development of endothelial
dysfunction and subsequently hypertension. Nɷ-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) inhibits NO synthesis;
leading to hypertension. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is an herb with antioxidant, antiatherosclerosis and antiinflammation
properties. PS also stimulated NO production by endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of
aqueous extract of Piper sarmentosum (AEPS) on blood pressure, oxidative stress and the level of nitric oxide in L-NAMEinduced hypertensive rats. Hypertension was induced by oral administration of L-NAME (100 mg/L) in drinking water for
four weeks. The rats were concurrently treated with AEPS by oral gavage in serial doses (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg/day).
Blood pressure was measured using non-invasive tail-cuff method at baseline and fortnightly thereafter. Serum level of
NO and an oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured at baseline and at the end of treatment. The
results showed that treatment with three different doses of AEPS successfully reduced systolic blood pressure (p<0.001),
diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and mean arterial pressure (p<0.05) in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Treatment
with AEPS also reduced MDA level (p<0.001) and increased serum NO (p<0.001) in L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.
The findings showed that AEPS decreased blood pressure by protecting against oxidative stress and increasing NO in
L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats.
The use of photoplethysmography (PPG) as one of cardiovascular disease (CVD) marker has got more attention due to
its simplicity, noninvasive and portable characteristics. Two new markers had been developed from PPG namely PPG
fitness index (PPGF) and vascular risk prediction index (VPRI). The aim of the present study was to compare PPGF level
between young women with and without CVD risk factors, to investigate the relationship between PPGF with other CVD
markers and to assess the sensitivity of VRPI in classifying young women that have CVD risk factors. A total of 148 young
women aged 20-40 years old with and without CVD risk factors were involved in this study. CVD risk factors comprised of
abdominal obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and family history of premature CVD. Subjects were categorized
into healthy or having CVD risk factor. Measurements taken were anthropometric data, blood pressure, lipid profile,
pulse wave velocity (PWV), augmentation index (AIx), high sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP), PPGF and VRPI. SPSS
version 20 was used for data analysis with p<0.05 as significant value. The mean subjects’ age was 29.97±5.27 years
old. There was no difference in PPGF level between groups (p>0.05). PPGF was independently determined by PWV (β=-
0.31, p<0.001) and height (β=0.16, p=0.04). VRPI had 77.9% sensitivity in identifying subjects with CVD risk factor. In
conclusion, PPGF correlates with PWV and has potential to be an indicator of aortic stiffness while VRPI is sensitive to
classify those with CVD risk factor.