Browsing by Author "Mwakyula, Issakwisa"
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Item Altered Lipid Profiles and Vaccine Induced-Humoral Responses in Children Living With HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy in Tanzania(Frontiers Media S.A., 2021-11-09) Mbuya, Wilbert; Mwakyula, Issakwisa; Olomi, Willyelimina; Agrea, Peter; Nicoli, Francesco; Ngatunga, Cecilia; Mujwahuzi, Leodegard; Mwanyika, Paul; Chachage, MkundePeople living with HIV, even under therapy, have a high burden of age-related co-morbidities including an increased risk of dyslipidemia (which often predisposes to cardiovascular diseases) and immune-aging. In this study, lipid profiles and antibody responses to measles and pertussis toxin vaccines were compared between ART experienced HIV+ children (n=64) aged 5-10 years, and their age- and sex-matched HIV- controls (n=47). Prevalence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) and triglyceride-driven dyslipidemia was higher among treated HIV+ children than in controls (51.6% vs 27.7% respectively, p < 0.019). In a multivariate Poisson regression model adjusted for age, sex and BMI, the association between low HDL-c, hypertriglyceridemia and HIV remained significantly high (for HDL-c: ARR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82 – 0.96, p = 0.003; for triglycerides: ARR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.31 – 1.81, p < 0.001). Among HIV+ children, the use of lopinavir/ritonavir, a protease-based antiretroviral therapy was also associated elevation of triglyceride levels (p = 0.032). Also, HIV+ children had a 2.8-fold reduction of anti-measles IgG titers and 17.1-fold reduction of anti-pertussis toxin IgG levels when compared to HIV- children. Our findings suggest that dyslipidemia and inadequate vaccine-induced antibody responses observed in this population of young African HIV+ children might increase their risk for premature onset of cardiovascular illnesses and acquisition of preventable diseases.Item Hydrophobic π-π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds drive self-aggregation of luteolin in water(Elsevier, 2022-06-23) Deogratias, Geradius; Shadrack, Daniel M; Munissi, Joan J.E.; Kinunda, Grace A.; Jacob, Fortunatus R.; Mtei, Regina P.; Masalu, Rose J.; Mwakyula, Issakwisa; Kiruri, Lucy W.; Nyandoro, Stephen S.Luteolin is a flavonoid obtained from different plant species. It is known for its versatile biological activities. However, the beneficial effects of luteolin have been limited to small concentrations as a result of poor water solubility. This study aimed at investigating the hydrophobic interaction and hydration of luteolin towards the improvement of its solubility when used as a drug. We report the aggregation properties of luteolin in water by varying the number of monomers using atomistic molecular dynamics simulation. Results show that the equilibrium structure of luteolin occurs in an aggregated state with different structural arrangements. As the monomers size increase, the antiparallel flipped conformation dominates over T-shaped antiparallel, T-shaped parallel, and antiparallel conformations. The formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonding of 0.19 nm between the keto-enol groups results in hydrophobic characteristics. A larger cluster exhibits slow hydrogen bond dynamics for luteolin-luteolin than luteolin-water interaction. Water structure at large cluster size exhibited slow dynamics and low self-diffusion of luteolin. The existence of hydrophobic π-π and hydrogen bonds between luteolin molecules drives strong self-aggregation resulting in poor water solubility. Breakage of these established interactions would result in increased solubility of luteolin in water.Item Hydrophobic π-π stacking interactions and hydrogen bonds drive self-aggregation of luteolin in water(Elsevier, 2022-06-28) Deogratias, Geradius; Shadrack, Daniel M.; Munissi, Joan J.E.; Kinunda, Grace A.; Jacob, Fortunatus R.; Mtei, Regina P.; Masalu, Rose J.; Mwakyula, Issakwisa; Kiruri, Lucy W.; Nyandoro, Stephen S.Luteolin is a flavonoid obtained from different plant species. It is known for its versatile biological activities. However, the beneficial effects of luteolin have been limited to small concentrations as a result of poor water solubility. This study aimed at investigating the hydrophobic interaction and hydration of luteolin towards the improvement of its solubility when used as a drug. We report the aggregation properties of luteolin in water by varying the number of monomers using atomistic molecular dynamics simulation. Results show that the equilibrium structure of luteolin occurs in an aggregated state with different structural arrangements. As the monomers size increase, the antiparallel flipped conformation dominates over T-shaped antiparallel, T-shaped parallel, and antiparallel conformations. The formation of intramolecular hydrogen bonding of 0.19 nm between the keto-enol groups results in hydrophobic characteristics. A larger cluster exhibits slow hydrogen bond dynamics for luteolin-luteolin than luteolin-water interaction. Water structure at large cluster size exhibited slow dynamics and low self-diffusion of luteolin. The existence of hydrophobic π-π and hydrogen bonds between luteolin molecules drives strong self-aggregation resulting in poor water solubility. Breakage of these established interactions would result in increased solubility of luteolin in water.