Browsing by Author "Mburu, David"

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    Anti-inflammatory activity of craterostigma pumilum (hochst) is associated with hyperalgesia
    (Science Publishing Corporation, 2016-01) Mwonjoria, K. J.; Umar, Aliyu; Juma, Kevin K.; Kahiga, Titus M.; Ngugi, Piero M.; Mburu, David; Wanyonyi, A. W.; Githinji, Charles G.; Ngeranwa, J.J.N.
    Inflammation and pain are ubiquitous signs and symptoms of a large number of ailments affecting humanity. There are equally as many methods and substances that are used as remedies for the conditions. Examples of remedies used include herbal extracts such those of genus Craterostigma among others. In Kenya, some plants from this genus are used as folklore remedy for toothache, joint and muscle pains. Interestingly, in spite of their use, there is no scientific study that has been instituted to evaluate their efficacy. The current study evaluated the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effect of both dichloromethane (DCM) and aqueous extract of Craterostigma pumilum using animal models. The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effect assays were carried out using formalin induced pedal edema and pain test respectively in white Wister rats. The phytochemical profile of the plant extract was carried out using standard procedures. Both DCM and aqueous extracts exhibited highly significant anti-inflammatory (p < 0.001) effects but no antinociceptive effects. However, the DCM extract showed a very significant (p < 0.001) hyperalgesia. The study renders support to folklore use of the plant for inflammation however it recommends incorporation of an analgesic remedy in the process.
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    Association between Malnutrition and Immunoglobulin G Responses to Crude Asexual P. falciparum schizont Lysates in Children Attending Ishiara Hospital, Embu County, Kenya
    (SCIENCEDOMAIN International, 2017) Mungiria, Juster; Gicheru, M. M.; Kavili, David; Mburu, David
    Aim: The aim of this study was to determine levels of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia in children and relationship between IgG responses against the parasite and nutritional status of children. Study Design: Cross sectional study of children diagnosed positive for P. faciparum in Ishiara District Hospital, Embu county, Kenya was done between August 2011 and June 2012. Methodology: A total of 380 children, under 5 years who tested positive to P. faciparum infection were used for the study. Children with less than -2 Z score of height-for-age were classified as stunted and those with less than -2 Z score of weight-for-height were classified as wasted. Malnourished children were identified by the criteria of WHO. P. faciparum parasitaemia was determined by microscopy, using Giemsa stained thin and thick blood smears while the parasite`s IgG antibody responses were assessed by the Enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay. Results: Of the 380 children 70% were malnourished. Of the malnourished children 30% were stunted, 37% wasted while 3% were both stunted and wasted. Well-nourished children had mean parasitaemia of 530 per micro litre which was lower (P0,05). IgG responses of well nourished children (1.9) was higher than 1.2 of wasted children (r=0.7. P< 0.05) and also between the well-nourished and those both stunted and wasted (r = -0.8; P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that malnutrition reduces IgG responses of children below 5 years to P. falciparum infection and predisposes them to malaria.
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    Dietary Mycotoxins: An Overview on Toxicokinetics, Toxicodynamics, Toxicity, Epidemiology, Detection, and Their Mitigation with Special Emphasis on Aflatoxicosis in Humans and Animals
    (MDPI, 2024-11) Kibugu, James; Munga, Leonard; Mburu, David; Maloba, Fredrick; Auma, Joanna E.; Delia, Grace; Lindahl, Johanna F.
    Mycotoxins are secondary metabolites of filamentous fungi and ubiquitous dietary contaminants. Aflatoxins, a group of mycotoxins with high prevalence and toxicity, have raised a high level of public health concern, the most prevalent and toxic being aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Many aspects appertaining to AFB1 poisoning are not well understood. Yet this information is necessary to devise appropriate surveillance and mitigation strategies against human and animal aflatoxicosis. This review provides an in-depth update of work carried out on mycotoxin poisoning, particularly aflatoxicosis in humans and animals, to identify gaps in knowledge. Hypotheses explaining the functional significance of mycotoxins in fungal biology and their dietary epidemiological data are presented and briefly discussed. The toxicology of aflatoxins and the challenges of their mitigation are discussed in depth. It was concluded that the identification of potential mycotoxin-hazard-prone food items and quantification of the associated risk of cancer ailments in humans is a prime priority. There is a dearth of reliable sampling methodologies for estimating AFB1 in animal feed. Data update on AFB1 in animal feed and its implication in animal production, mitigation strategies, and elucidation of risk factors to this hazard is required. To reduce the burden of aflatoxins, surveillance employing predictive technology, and biocontrol strategies seem promising approaches.
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    Prospective Changes in Serum Levels of Some Proinflammatory Cytokines and Erythropoietin among Anaemic HIV-infected Patients Attending Kenyatta National Hospital Comprehensive Care Centre
    (Global Society of Scientific Research and Researchers, 2017) Ireri, Jackson; Ngeranwa, J.J.N.; Mburu, David; Jaoko, Walter; Sekadde-Kigondu, Christine; Wanzala, Peter
    Between 70 to 80% of HIV infected patients develop anaemia which is a major complication in advanced HIV infection. The multifactorial etiology of the HIV-associated anaemia requires extensive studies on its unique pathophysiology as a step towards improving therapeutic options and disease management.The objective of this study is to monitor changes in serum levels of erythropoietin (Epo), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and anaemia in HIV infected patients over six months’ period. This study is Longitudinal descriptive study and it was conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital, Kenyatta National Hospital can be considered as Comprehensive Care Centre. The study used one hundred and eighty-four (184) seropositive adults aged 18 to 60 years.The results shows that Blood cells exhibited pathologies ranging from: Rouleaux formation, round macrocytes, microcytic hypochromic cells and target cells in frequencies that decreased with increase in CD4+ cells. Normochromic, macrocytic normochromic and dimorphic anaemias were observed. Bicytopenia (erythrocytopenia and leucopenia), reactive thrombocytosis with giant platelets, neutrophil and eosinophil hypersegmentations were also observed. Persistent increase in Epo and CRP levels were demonstrated among subjects throughout the study period. Increases in TNF-α levels without corresponding increase in IL-6 levels were observed. Persistence anaemia in presence of high Epo levels is suggestive of hyposensitivity to Epo by erythroid precursors. Asynchronized increases in TNF-α and IL- 6 levels may have deprived the duo the synergy required to effectively inhibit Epo production further facilitating the escalating levels of Epo observed. High levels of CRP observed indicate enhanced inflammation processes associated with HIV infection. Iron studies to rule out the role of iron-restricted erythropoiesis in the development microcytic, dimorphic anaemias and the granulocytic hypersegmentations noted are recommended. Studies on the possibility of Epo hyposensitivity derailing the effectiveness of recombinant human Epo in the management of HIV – associated anaemia are recommended.