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Predictive biomarkers of preeclampsia severity in a low resource setting: Role of red blood cell indices, NLR, and albumin-to-creatinine ratio Tobing, Immanuel DL.; Lumbanraja, Sarma N.; Lintang, Letta S.; Edwar, Rafli R.; Adenin, Ichwanul; Lubis, Muara P.; Sukatendel, Khairani; Suarthana, Eva
Narra J Vol. 4 No. 2 (2024): August 2024
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v4i2.729

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE), a serious medical condition with substantial maternal and perinatal implications, poses a significant challenge, particularly in high-incidence countries like Indonesia. Red blood cell (RBC) indices, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and microalbuminuria (albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR)) may signal systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, recently recognized as potential indicators for diagnosing and predicting disease severity. The aim of this study was to analyze RBC indices, NLR, and ACR changes in women with PE and their potential for predicting disease severity. A cross-sectional study was conducted at multi-center hospitals across Medan, Indonesia, from June 2022 to June 2023. The patients were grouped into PE cases with and without severe features. Demographic characteristics and complications were recorded while blood and urine were tested. The Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney test were used to determine biomarkers associated with severe PE. A total of 208 PE patients were included in the study (104 patients for each PE with and without severe features). Our data indicated that PE patients with severe features had higher red cell distribution width (18.5% vs 13.7%; p<0.001), NLR (5.66% vs 4.1%; p<0.001), and ACR (755.97 mg/dL vs 468.63 mg/dL; p<0.001) compared to those without severe features. In contrast, the platelet count was lower in severe features than those without (21.9 × 106/µL vs 27.0 × 106/µL; p=0.002). This study highlighted that PE patients with severe features predominantly had higher levels of RDW, NLR, and ACR and lower platelet counts compared to those without severe features. Therefore, basic tests such as complete blood count and urinalysis, which are inexpensive and feasible in primary care settings with limited resources, offer hope as valuable diagnostic biomarkers for pregnant women diagnosed with PE in a low resource setting.
Effect of Nigella sativa seed extract on estradiol, FSH levels, and vaginal maturity index in menopausal women: A randomized controlled trial Sukatendel, Khairani; Hasibuan, Reni H.; Siregar, Muhammad FG.; Faradina, Dwi; Edianto, Deri; Lintang, Letta S.; Rusda, Muhammad; Inriani, Vega
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 1 (2025): April 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i1.1399

Abstract

Nigella sativa seed extract has been shown to have a significant effect on endometrial thickness and vaginal cytology in ovariectomized animal models, suggesting potential benefits for managing menopausal symptoms. However, to the best of the author’s knowledge, no human studies have been done to support these conclusions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of N. sativa seed extract on estradiol, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and the vaginal maturity index (VMI) in postmenopausal women. A single-blinded, randomized placebo-controlled experiment was carried out at Haji Adam Malik Hospital, Medan, Indonesia, with 50 eligible postmenopausal women patients randomized into three groups. Group 1 received a placebo, while groups 2 and 3 were given N. sativa seed extract at 910 mg/day and 1,365 mg/day, respectively. All participants were blinded to the treatment they received. The study used Shad Nigella Plus, an Indonesian herbal medicine containing 455 mg of N. sativa seed extract per capsule. Before the treatments, estradiol levels, FSH levels, and VMI were measured at baseline and remeasured after eight weeks of treatment. Two participants in the intervention group withdrew due to nausea, a reported side effect of N. sativa seed extract consumption. Both treatment groups showed significant increases in estradiol levels (p=0.01 and p=0.001) and VMI (p=0.004 and p=0.001) after eight weeks of daily N. sativa seed extract administration compared to the placebo group. However, no significant differences were found between the two doses in estradiol levels and VMI (p=0.12 and p=0.673, respectively). Moreover, FSH levels showed no significant difference throughout both interventions (p=0.53 and p=0.96, respectively). In conclusion, twice-daily N. sativa seed extract at 910 mg/day or 1,365 mg/day for eight weeks significantly increased estradiol levels and VMI in menopausal women but had no significant effect on FSH levels. These findings support the potential role of N. sativa seed extract as a natural treatment for menopausal symptoms.