Skripsi

The Impact of Fasting on the Expression of PGC-1α as a Biomarker for AntiAgeing in New Zealand White Rabbits = Pengaruh Puasa terhadap Biomarker Anti-aging PGC-1α dengan Kelinci New Zealand White sebagai Model.

Background: Ageing is one of the most significant risk factors for a number of non-communicable diseases, often manifesting as cardiovascular, cognitive and metabolic degenerative diseases. Recent studies have identified peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator α (PGC1α) as a major regulator of mitochondrial function, a common feature in the many theories of ageing. Due to its involvement in energy metabolism, it is theorised that energetic failures due to fasting may be able to stimulate the expression of PGC-1α, particularly in metabolically active organs such as the liver and heart. This research aims to investigate anti-ageing benefits of fasting by analysing the expression of PGC-1α in liver cells of fasted rabbits compared to rabbits fed ad libitum. Method: Three groups of rabbits were (1) fed ad libitum; (2) subjected to 16-hour fasting (intermittent fasting); and (3) subjected to 40-hour fasting (prolonged fasting). RNA was extracted from the liver tissues of rabbits from respective groups. One-step real time qRT-PCR was performed to find the relative expression of PGC-1α gene as an indicator of anti-ageing. Results: There was a significant increase in relative expression of PGC-1α in the livers of fasted rabbits than in rabbits fed ad libitum. Conclusion: Fasting was shown to increase the expression of PGC-1α. Further research involving the monitoring of the rabbits is needed to observe for anti-ageing traits in fasted rabbits as opposed to the control to conclude the extent of the effect of fasting on delaying ageing.
Keywords: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator α, gene expression, ageing, fasting, rabbits


Latar Belakang: Penuaan adalah salah satu faktor resiko signifikan untuk sejumlah penyakit tidak menular degeneratif dan sering bermanifestasi sebagai penyakit kardiovaskular, kognitif dan metabolik. Studi terbaru telah mengidentifikasi peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator α (PGC-1α) sebagai pengatur utama fungsi mitokondria, yang sering dihubungkan dengan teori penuaan. Karena keterlibatannya dalam metabolisme energy, kegagalan energy akibat puasa mungkin dapat merangsang ekspresi PGC-1α, khususnya pada organ yang aktif secara metabolic seperti hati dan jantung. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menyelidiki manfaat anti-penuaan dari puasa dengan cara menganalisis ekspresi PGC-1α dalam sel hati kelinci yang dipuasakan. Metode: Tiga kelompok kelinci yang telah (1) diberi makan secara ad libitum; (2) dipuasakan selama 16 jam (puasa intermiten); (3) dipuasakan selama 40 jam (puasa berkepanjangan). RNA diekstraksi dari jaringan hati kelinci dari masing-masing kelompok. qRT-PCR dilakukan untuk mencari ekspresi relative gen PGC-1α sebagai biomarker anti-penuaan. Hasil: Terdapat peningkatan signifikan ekspresi relative PGC-1α pada hati kelinci yang dipuasakan dibanding kelinci yang diberi makan ad libitum. Kesimpulan: Puasa terbukti meningkatkan ekspresi PGC-1α. Penelitian lebih lanjut yang melibatkan pemantauan kelinci diperlukan untuk mengamati sifat anti-penuaan pada kelinci yang telah dipuasakan dibandingkan kontrol untuk menyimpulkan sebesar apa efek puasa terhadap penundaan penuaan.
Kata kunci: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator α, ekspresi gen, penuaan, puasa, kelinci