The temporal relationship between body composition and cardiometabolic profiles in an HIV-infected (on antiretroviral therapy) versus HIV-free Western Cape study population.

Cardiovascular risk is a health concern in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH). This longitudinal study (baseline vs 36 months) aimed to investigate the relationship between body composition and markers of cardiovascular risk in a South African study population [HIV free, = 22 vs HIV positive on antiretroviral therapy (HIV+ART), = 73)]. Health questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyses and flow-mediated dilation were performed.

Mobility Deviations in Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Cross-Sectional Assessment Using Gait Analysis, Functional Performance, and Self-Report.

Background: Little is known about how human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects walking biomechanics, or about associations between HIV-related gait deviations, functional performance, and self-reported outcomes. This paper reports on (1) gait biomechanics and variability in people with HIV (PWH) and (2) associations with clinical tests, self-reported function, and falls.

Methods: A cross-sectional study tested consecutively sampled PWH (n = 50) and HIV-seronegative participants ([SNP] n = 50).

Relationship between Endothelial Function, Antiretroviral Treatment and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in HIV Patients of African Descent in South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Limited information on the effect of antiretroviral treatment (ART) on vascular function in South Africans of African descent living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is available. The relationship between ART, vascular function and cardiovascular risk factors in South Africans of African ancestry with HIV was therefore studied. This cross-sectional study recruited 146 HIV-positive individuals on ART (HIVART), 163 HIV-positive individuals not on ART (HIVART) and 171 individuals without HIV (HIV) in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa.

Vascular health assessment with flow-mediated dilatation and retinal image analysis: a pilot study in an adult population from Cape Town.

Aim: Flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and retinal vascular analysis (RVA) may assist in predicting cardiovascular disease (CVD) but are poorly characterised in South Africa. We recorded baseline FMD and retinal vascular widths in healthy participants, and investigated associations with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods: Endothelial function (measured with FMD), microvascular structure (evaluated via fundus image analysis) and major CVD risk factors were assessed in 66 participants from Cape Town.

Personal exposure to NO and benzene in the Cape Town region of South Africa is associated with shorter leukocyte telomere length in women.

Air pollution exposure is a major global health concern and has been associated with molecular aging. Unfortunately, the situation has not received much attention in the African region. The aim of this study was to investigate whether current personal ambient NO and benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene and xylenes (ortho (o)-, meta (m)- and para (p)-xylene (BTEX) exposure is associated with leukocyte telomere length (LTL), a marker of molecular ageing, in apparently healthy women (mean ± SD age: 42.

Fall History and Associated Factors Among Adults Living With HIV-1 in the Cape Winelands, South Africa: An Exploratory Investigation.

Background: People with HIV-1 (PWH) exhibit a high fall incidence and increased fracture risk. As little is known about fall frequency and associated factors in PWH residing in lower-middle-income countries (LMIC), we investigated fall frequency, bone quality, and factors associated with fall history in a South African cohort.

Methods: Fifty PWH without obvious predisposing factors for mobility impairments attending 2 public primary care clinics in the Western Cape region participated.

Personal NO and Volatile Organic Compounds Exposure Levels are Associated with Markers of Cardiovascular Risk in Women in the Cape Town Region of South Africa.

Exposure to ambient NO and benzene, toluene ethyl-benzene and m+p- and o-xylenes (BTEX) is associated with adverse cardiovascular effects, but limited information is available on the effects of personal exposure to these compounds in South African populations. This 6-month follow-up study aims to determine 7-day personal ambient NO and BTEX exposure levels via compact passive diffusion samplers in female participants from Cape Town, and investigate whether exposure levels are associated with cardiovascular risk markers. Overall, the measured air pollutant exposure levels were lower compared to international standards.

Histomorphological changes in the pancreas and kidney and histopathological changes in the liver in male Wistar rats on antiretroviral therapy and melatonin treatment.

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has shown to cause inflammation, cellular injury and oxidative stress, whereas melatonin has been successful in reducing these effects. The aim of the study was to determine potential morphometric changes caused by cART in combination with melatonin supplementation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-free rats. Tissue samples (N = 40) of the pancreas, liver and kidney from a control (C/ART-/M-), cART group (C/ART + ), melatonin (C/M + ) and experimental group (ART+/M + ) were collected and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and evaluated for histopathology.

The Role of MKP-1 in Insulin-Induced Cardioprotection.

Purpose: The mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatases (MKPs) are a family of dual-specificity phosphatases that inactivate MAPKs by dephosphorylation. Impairment of MKP-1 expression in insulin resistance has been suggested to affect the cardioprotective properties of insulin. We hypothesized that manipulation of its activity during myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion of control as well as insulin-resistant rats may affect the outcome.

Cardiovascular risk and endothelial function in people living with HIV/AIDS: design of the multi-site, longitudinal EndoAfrica study in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

Background: There is growing evidence of an interaction between HIV-infection, anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Epidemiological studies in Europe and North America have been observing a shift towards an increased incidence of coronary heart disease and acute myocardial infarctions in HIV-infected populations compared to the general population even after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Despite South Africa (and sub-Saharan Africa, SSA) being regarded as the epicentre of the global HIV epidemic, very little is known about the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and precursors of vascular disease in HIV-infected populations in this region.