Department of Biochemistry

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Antibiotic Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from Barn Swallow Droppings in Ishaka Town, Uganda
(Science and Education Publishing, 2016) Okullu, Tonny; Onchweri, Albert Nyanchoka; Miruka, Conrad Ondieki; Eilu, Emmanuel; Abimana, Justus B.; Nyabayo, Maniga Josephat
Considerable concern has been raised over the problem of antibiotic resistance in bacteria from humans and farm animals. However, in spite of this concern, the spread of resistance into wider ecosystems has not received the desired attention. The transfer of antibiotic resistance to wildlife is an important risk for environmental health. Detection of resistance to antibiotics in populations of wild animals usually entails examination of isolates of the common intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli. Bird populations sympatric to areas with human settlements and areas that have high density of livestock are colonised with antibiotic resistant E. coli strains. Data regarding occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in African domestic and wild mammals is very limited. There is therefore a need to carry out studies in other parts of the African continent to find out if sympatric animals represent a possible reservoir for antibiotic resistant microbes. This study was therefore carried out to analyze faecal samples from barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) droppings in Ishaka Town, Uganda, for the presence of antibiotic resistant E. coli strains. Results of the study showed that, out of the one hundred and sixteen (116) fecal samples of Barn Swallow droppings collected, twenty seven isolates of Escherichia coli were obtained. All the 27 isolates (100%) were resistant to one or more of the tested antibiotics. Out of the 27 isolates, 20 (74.1%) were multi-drug resistant isolates (resistant to three or more classes of antimicrobials). Such birds can act as reservoirs for antibiotic resistant microbes if enough attention is not given to the problem. Further research is recommended to determine the prevalence of antibiotic resistant Escherichia coli from barn swallows residing in other parts of the country and even on the continent and the whole world at large.
Antitumor activity of methanolic extract of vernoniacinerealess by human cell lines
(International Journal of Current Advanced Research, 2016-07) Vulli, Venkata Rao
Vernoniacinerea (L.) Less a member of family compositae (Asteraceae), is an important medicinal plant has already been in used as antibacterial, Analgesic, antipyretic, antiinflammatory preparation. In this study an attempt of the plant has been made to evaluate the anticancer activity of the methanolic extract of the plant, as stated in many hypothesis. Themethanolic extract of leaves of VernoniacinereaL. Were screened for their anticancer activity by cell linestudies was carried out by two methods Tetrazolium salt assay and Tryphan blue dye exclusion method. In MTT Assay the total growth inhibition (TGI) of methanol extract was found to be >10 mg/ml on both cell lines (HEp 2 and HT29). The relative cell survival progressively decreased in dose dependant manner. In addition to that, Short term Cytotoxicity studies by Tryphan Blue exclusion method also confirmed the anticancer activity of vernoniacinerea L. (1mg/ml showed 77% of Cytotoxicity inhibition). Our studies point the possibility of developing Vernoniacinerea L. as a novel potential agent in the area of cancer chemotherapy. Further investigation has to be carried out in isolation and characterization of active constituents and the mechanism involving in antitumor and cytotoxic effect.
Appraisal of antimicrobial medicinal plants with potential therapeutic effect on diabetes and sickle cell trait
(Asian Journal of Phytomedicine and Clinical Research, 2016) Vulli, Venkata Rao; Odaya, Kumar P.; Sivanageswararao; Mekala, K. Srinivasu
Amidst unbearable side effects, and the expensive nature of imported drugs used in the management of sickle cell disease and diabetes, the search for attractive alternative with emphasis on availability and safety, will continue especially in resource poor countries. Again, it’s not clear why there is sustained upsurge in diabetic and sickle cell disease despite efforts to clamp them down. The database on useful medicinal plants for treatment of diabetes and sickle cell was therefore improved. Other potential drugs suggested. Medicinal herbs can act as broad spectrum agents serving as anti-microbial, anti-diabetic and against sickle cell disease.
Assessment of the influence of ketoconazole on memory retrieval among adult wistar rats.
(African Journal of Science and Research, 2016-02-22) Nyaribo, Cyprian Mose; Nyabayo, Josephat Maniga; Kerubo, Eunice Bogecho; Marera, Dominic Oduor; Nyanchoka, Albert Onchwer; Miruka, Conrald Ondieki
The aim of the study is to investigate the influence of ketoconazole on memory retrieval among adult wister rats in relation to age and gender.Anxiety disorders are of concern and definite treatment is wanting in current medicine. Ketoconazole, a known glucocorticoid synthesis inhibitor was used in this study to reduce memory retrieval in rats which were subjected to a stressful and life threatening water maze training. We wanted to evaluate the time difference after ketoconazole treatment and possible hippocampus neuronal histological changes in the treated animals.At the end of this research study which lasted for eight (8) months, remarkable and appreciable results were found. On the average duration taken by the animals from the four different starting points of swimming trials, the differences between the values of escape latency before and after treatment were found not to be statistically significant (p>0.05). However, there was a possibility of handedness among animals as seen while turning right to the platform.We concluded that, the administration of ketoconazole did not exhibit significant inhibition of glucocorticoid synthesis since the memory retrieval and hippocampus neuronal morphology between the treated and untreated animals did not show significant statistical difference.
Beyond Nutrients
(Kampala International University, 2023) Esther, Ugo Alum; Okechukwu, P. C. Ugwu
Phytochemicals are a broad class of bioactive substances that are produced by plants and can be found in a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. These phytochemicals, which include dietary fibers, polysaccharides, phytosterols, isoprenoids, carotenoids, and saponins, provide a variety of health advantages, including antiviral, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. They also have strong antioxidant qualities. This thorough analysis focuses on the several phytochemicals, their origins, and the health benefits that go along with them. Recognizing the variety and advantages of phytochemicals highlights how they might improve human nutrition and health. This article's summary material comes from reliable academic sources such as Pubmed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect. This page gives a brief introduction to the many and significant categories of plant-derived bioactive compounds by summarizing the major phytochemical classes, their origins, and their health advantages. Using the advantages of these substances to improve health outcomes points to a viable direction for further study and implementation in the promotion of overall wellness and health. Keywords
Carpolobia lutea methanol root extract reinstates androgenesis and testicular function in cadmiumchallenged rats
(Kampala International University, 2019) Ejike, Daniel Eze; Okpa, Precious Nwaka; Igbokwe, Ugochukwu Vincent; Moses, Dele Adams; Karimah, Mohammed Rabiu; Ayikobua, Emmanuel Tiyo
Cadmium produces a wide range of biological dysfunctions in human and laboratory animals where it chiefly affects the testes, whereas, Carpolobia lutea has been known to have antioxidant benefits. This study was intended to investigate the effects of Carpolobia lutea root extracts on testicular hormone function in cadmium-challenged male rats. 48 male Wistar rats (170-190 g) were divided into six groups, each containing eight rats. Experimental animals in control (Group 1) were given 0.2ml/kg body weight (BW) of 10% tween 80; Group two were administered 1mg/kg BW of cadmium (i.p); Group 3 were given 1mg/kg BW of cadmium (i.p) + 100mg/kg BW extract; Group four took 1mg/kg BW of cadmium (i.p) + 200mg/kg BW extract while Group five and six got 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg BW extract respectively. The administration of vehicle and extract was conducted orally for six weeks. Testicular activity of 17 betahydrosteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) and serum testosterone, luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormone (LH, FSH) levels were evaluated. Findings indicated that cadmium statistically (p<0.05) lowered testicular 17β-HSD activity and serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels when compared with those of the control group animals. However, Carpolobia lutea and its co-administration notably (p<0.05) elevated the activity of testicular 17β-HSD and levels of serum testosterone, LH and FSH. The study suggests that Carpolobia lutea extract plays a protective function in ameliorating testicular damage caused by cadmium in rats. This is probably due to the extract’s potential in the management of testicular dysfunction and fecundity in animals.
Clinical characteristics of people living with HIV/AIDS on ART in 2014 attertiary health institutions in Enugu, Nigeria
(2014) Matthew Chibunna Igwe; Emmanuel Ifeanyi Obeagu; Alphonsus Ogbonna Ogbuabor
In the current industrialized world, uses of batteries have gained importance as a result of its high performance and energy storage system. Though, battery was considered safe and produced less carbon foot print, it also has its ill effects such as heavy metal contamination in water and soil, which is also at its threshold to be addressed. Here comes the concern, about the elevated heavy metal concentration especially chromium in the environment and its health hazards exerted over all living organisms. Thus, as an approach towards the bio sorption of chromium from environment, fungal isolates obtained from soil samples of HEB effluent were screened for their resistance and efficiency. Among the 36 fungal isolates attained, Aspergillus was found to be most predominant in both eastern and western area, as well as more resistant to chromium even at 1000 ppm. On further optimization of pH, Temperature, incubation period, carbon source, nitrogen source and phosphorous, it concluded that medium with Glucose, malt extract and potassium dihydrogen phosphate at pH 5 showed significant growth and proficient absorption of chromium under static condition. The 18s rRNA gene sequencing of the effectual organism revealed to be Aspergillus niger (KY354579) with 99 % according to BLAST analysis.
Comparative Evaluation of Glibenclamide and Insulin on the Pups’ Liver Cytoarchitectonic Properties and Some Dams’ Parameters in Pregnant Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
(Kampala International University, 2018) Lawal, Sodiq Kolawole; Adeniji, Adeoluwa Akeem; Sangoyomi, Oluwaseun Adewoye; Adeyemo, Rasheed Omotayo; Buhari, Muhammad Olanrewaju; Sulaiman, Sheu Oluwadare; Osinubi, Abraham Adewale
Despite the significant achievements in the treatment modalities and preventive measures, the prevalence of gestational diabetes in Africa has continued to rise exponentially in the last few decades. There is growing concern on the use of oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) during pregnancy, due to the potential of the agents in causing adverse effect (s) on the developing fetus and its effectiveness in managing the gestational diabetes mellitus. The objective of this study was to investigate the action of glibenclamide compared with insulin on pups’ liver cytoarchitectonic property and oxidative stress markers, and on maternal glucose level and sexual hormonal profile. Twenty pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats (120-160 g) divided into 4 groups A, B, C and D (n=5 per group) were used for the study. Rats in group A (control) were given 0.5ml distilled water daily while the rats in groups B, C, and D were rendered diabetic by administration of intraperitoneal low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) and subsequently treated with 0.5mls of distilled water, glibenclamide (0.29 mg/kg body weight) and insulin (1 UI daily) respectively. Blood glucose levels were monitored and recorded throughout the experiment. The rats were sacrificed on the 19th day of gestational period. The pups’ liver and maternal blood sample were collected for analysis. The glibenclamide and insulin groups showed significant (p<0.05) decreased in blood glucose with an increased maternal body weight when compared to the diabetic group. The activities of GSH, SOD and CAT were significantly increased (p<0.05) in the glibenclamide and insulin treated groups compared to the diabetic group. Also, MDA significantly reduced in the glibenclamide and insulin treated groups (C & D) when compared to the diabetic untreated group (B) with the greater reduction observed for insulin. There was an improvement in the hormonal profiles of glibenclamide and insulin treated groups compared with the diabetic group. Histologically, glibenclamide and insulin showed an improvement in the arrangement of cytoarchitectonic property of pups’ liver with mild steatosis compared with diabetic group. Based on our observations in this study, it was concluded that glibenclamide is as effective as insulin with no or little negative effect and could be an optional drug to be used in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus in place of insulin.
Design of a Recombinant Hepatitis B Vaccine Based on Stably Binding HLA-I Peptides
(OMICS Publishing Group, 2015-02) Ondieki, Miruka Conrad; Nyaribari, Matunda Conradus; Ejekwumadu, Nnamdi John; Nyakang’o, Mokembo Justin
The hepatitis B virus continues to infect many millions of people worldwide. There is a need to develop new vaccines against the virus. Using immunoinformatics approaches, we have predicted epitopes within the hepatitis B virus surface antigen that can be used to develop a new vaccine. The predicted epitopes were then used to construct a synthetic vaccine. The interaction between the synthetic vaccine construct and major histocompatibility complex was also predicted using bioinformatics tools.
Factors Affecting Adherence to Anti-retroviral Therapy at Kampala International University Teaching Hospital, Bushenyi District, Uganda
(American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine, 2016) Dwoki, Wani Buyu; Miruka, Conrad Ondieki; Maniga, Josephat Nyabayo; Onchweri, Albert Nyanchoka
Complex regimens present significant challenges to both patients and health-care providers with respect to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) treatment adherence. Improper adherence leads to poor suppression of HIV replication in infected cells. High level of ART treatment adherence leads to better viral suppression outcomes. Proper maintenance of ART treatment adherence over time remains a problematic area especially in resource limited settings, including sub-Saharan African countries. The western region of Uganda has been noted to have a high prevalence of HIV patients. This study was therefore undertaken to determine the factors associated with nonadherence among the HIV patients on ART in a teaching hospital in south-western Uganda. Findings of the study revealed that forgetting treatment was the most cited factor. Feeling better after some medication period, being too ill to take medication, stigma associated with taking ART medication, alcohol consumption and drug stock out were also identified to be associated to non-adherence among the study participants. Most of the patients in this study (150/255, 58.8%) had good adherence, followed by those who had fair rates of adherence (60/255, 23.5%). Forty five patients (17.6%) had the least adherence level. Findings also showed that females were most likely to miss their medication. The age groups of 30-39 and 40-49 were the most likely not to adhere to medications compared to the other age groups while the 0-19 and above 50 years age groups were most likely not to miss their medication. The separated patients were more likely to miss medication compared to others. Patients who had attended only primary education and those who attended tertiary level of education were most likely to be non-adherent to medication. Deliberate measures need to be taken to cater for the non-adherent patients. Interventions aimed at the high-risk nonadherence groups need to be specifically developed.
Hypoglycemic and High Dosage Effects of Bidens pilosa in Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus
(Scientific Research Publishing, 2015-08) Mulkah, O. Ajagun-Ogunleye; Tirwomwe, Michael
Ethno-pharmaceutical products have received a lot of international attention in the scientific community in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study we determined the anti-diabetic and high dosage effects of Bidens pliosa in type 1 DM (T1DM). Methodology: Thirty rats were divided into six groups and subgrouped into the extract and non extract treatment groups. The extract treated group was subdivided into three groups which received 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/ kg and 800 mg/kg dosage treatments respectively. The blood glucose levels were monitored using a standard glucometer for one month, and biochemical analysis of the two liver function enzymes; Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were carried out at the Institute of Biomedical Research (IBR-KIU-WC) at the end of week IV. The study revealed that Bidens pilosa maintained hypoglycemia for a period of two weeks and this status was lost in subsequent weeks. T1DM rats treated with a dosage of 200 mg/kg showed a better recovery (355.25 - 164.5 mg/dl) of the glucose levels, followed by those that were being treated at 400 mg/kg. The AST and ALT enzymes in blood varied with a mean ± SEM (33.72 ± 32.32 to −7.23 ± 12.61 IU and 22.98 ± 11.12 to 42 ± 38.2 IU, respectively) in both the glibencimide® and in the 800 mg/ kg treatment groups in the study. High dosages of extract were associated (P = 0.049) with increased systemic enzyme leakage. In conclusion, tissue degeneration caused by high levels of the extract was accompanied by leakage of various enzymes (AST and ALT) into the blood, which could be a major etiological factor for the development of secondary systemic pathologies, thus potentially worsening the effects of an existing T1DM prognosis in human patients.

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