Doctoral Degrees (Physiological Sciences)
Recent Submissions
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Influence of maternal inflammation on immune modulation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Perturbations within intrauterine microenvironment, due to maternal stressors such as chronic inflammation, metabolic dysfunction and psychological stress, can result in lifelong detrimental consequences ... -
The role of DHEA in the aetiology of modern chronic disease
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an androgenic steroid predominantly viewed as the main precursor to androgen and estrogen hormones in the human body. DHEA exists as a sulphated ester known as DHEAS, which ... -
Manipulation of macrophage phagocytosis - development of an endogenous delivery system
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2020-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The need to administer more potent antimicrobial drugs is supported by the ever-increasing incidence of multidrug resistance. Given the (necessary) higher toxicity of these drugs, administration into host ... -
Chemoresistance in a breast cancer animal model: the role of obesity and inflammation
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2019-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Globally an increase in obesity incidence represent a major health concern amongst a rising incidence of impaired treatment outcomes of breast cancer patients. Adipose tissue and/or adipocytes, ... -
The effect of melatonin treatment on doxorubicin-induced skeletal muscle atrophy within a cancer model
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background and Aim: Skeletal muscle atrophy is a major concern in patients suffering with malignancy. Chemotherapeutic agents, such as doxorubicin (DOX), can further exacerbate this loss of skeletal ... -
The effects of nutrient deprivation on macroautophagic flux and chaperone-mediated autophagy in a model of alzheimer's disease
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-10-10)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive impairment, particularly in brain regions crucial for learning and memory. These ... -
Metabolic reprograming and cancer resistance : an investigation into the metabolic control of cancer-associated fibroblasts on breast cancer cell survival and metastasis
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2018-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) constitute the most abundant mesenchymal cell type present within the tumour microenvironment. Recent evidence suggests that nutrient deprived cancer ... -
Immune activation in HIV-positive patients on combined anti-retroviral treatment (cART) as a high risk group for the development of cardiovascular diseases
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although roll-out of combined anti-retroviral treatment (cART) has blunted HIV-AIDS onset, studies show increased development of cardio-metabolic complications in HIV-infected individuals. For this study ... -
An investigation into the potential cardioprotective effects of ghrelin in a rat model of chronic Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-12)ENGLISH SUMMARY: Introduction Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline that has significantly improved the outcome of cancer patients since its discovery. However, its clinical success remains limited due to the dose-dependent ... -
Mitochondrial catastrophe during doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity : An evaluation of the protective role of melatonin.
(Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction: Anthracyclines, such as doxorubicin (DXR), are among the most valuable treatments for various cancers, but their clinical use is limited due to detrimental side-effects such as cardiotoxicity. ... -
An evaluation of the hepatic proteomic signature in identifying cancer tolerance and resistance mechanisms in a mouse allograft system
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background The unfavourable therapeutic index of most treatment modalities has greatly impeded progress in the development of effective cancer therapy. Therefore a need exists for treatment modalities ... -
Assessment of Metabolic Therapy for Acute Heart Failure
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2017-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Acute heart failure (AHF) is the most common primary diagnosis for hospitalized heart disease cases in Africa. Increased fatty acid oxidation (FAO) with heart failure (HF) triggers detrimental ... -
The role of the AHNAK protein in breast cancer : implications for tumour metastasis and chemoresistance
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction – Cancer continues to have a significant impact on society. While there has been much success in characterising tumours and identifying targetable markers, two major problems are still faced ... -
Correlations between stress-associated anxiety and physiological determinants of health in adolescents
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent of psychiatric disorders across age groups, with onset typically in childhood or early adolescence, and risk for developing an anxiety disorder increasing ... -
Hyperglycemia-mediated onset of myocardial insulin resistance – unraveling molecular mechanisms and identifying therapeutic targets
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2014-04)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background - Although acute hyperglycemic episodes are linked to lower glucose uptake, underlying mechanisms driving this process remain unclear. We hypothesized that acute hyperglycemia triggers reactive ... -
The maladaptive effects of HIV protease inhibitors (Lopinavir/Ritonavir) on the rat heart
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-12)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Although antiretroviral treatment decreases HIV-AIDS morbidity/mortality, long-term effects include onset of insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. Increased oxidative stress and dysregulation ... -
Manipulation of the autophagic pathway sensitises cervical cancer cells to cisplatin treatment
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Cisplatin has been widely used to treat solid tumours and much success has come from the use of this drug in the treatment of head and neck, ovarian, testicular, cervical and small-cell lung ... -
The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway induces gene promoter activity of the cardiac-enriched isoform of acetyl-CoA carboxylase
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The cardiac isoform of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCβ) produces malonyl-CoA, a potent inhibitor of mitochondrial fatty acid (FA) uptake; thus increased ACCβ activity decreases fatty acid utilization thereby ... -
Novel therapeutic agents that blunt hyperglycemia-induced cardiac contractile dysfunction
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Introduction Diabetes constitutes a major health challenge. Since cardiovascular complications are common in diabetic patients this will further increase the overall burden of disease. Furthermore, ... -
The contribution of inflammatory mediators to delayed secondary muscle damage
(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2013-03)ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Understanding the contribution of divergent individual response patterns remains a key objective in identifying mechanisms of inflammation and potential factors limiting the resolution of ...
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