Antioxidant status and lipid profile in patients infected with human immune deficiency virus.

ABSTRACT

Antiretroviral therapy has been associated with the development of metabolic abnormalities, including dislipemia, insulin resistance, and hyperlactatemia. Mitochondrial damage secondary to the use of nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) has been related to some of these complications; although the role of different NRTIs in their development is not well established. It was the aim of this study to assess the incidence of oxidative stress and dislipemia in HIV-infected patients who began highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). HIV patients were on antiretroviral drugs (triviro-LNS-Lamivudine, Nevirapine and Starvudine) 1-2 pills daily depending on the CD4 count. Moreso, have been on the drug for the duration of 2- 3 years .Biochemical parameters such as Ascorbic acid (Vit C), Cholesterol and Triglyceride were monitored. Seventy five (75) patients were used in this study comprising, 50 HIV positive individuals taking relevant antiretroviral therapy at least for three months. Thirteen HIV positive persons that have just received their sero status from voluntary counseling and testing center (VCT) and are yet to start drug and 12 apparent healthy HIV seronegative individuals served as control. The blood collected from the patients was centrifuged and serum used for the determination of cholesterol, triglyceride. Though serum for vitamin C determination was deproteinized and 2, 4- dinitrophenylhydrazine used for its determination. Results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using student’s test. Reduced concentrations of anti-oxidant vitamin C was found to be significantly decreased in HIV patients not on drugs when compared to control group, but level of triglyceride was drastically increased in HIV patients on drugs compared to HIV infected patients not on drugs(P<0.05). In addition, the level of cholesterol was increased in the body of people with HIV not on drugs (178.38 mg/dl) when compared to the HIV positive patients on drugs (163.28 mg/dl) and control subjects (169.67 mg/dl). This was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The study has shown that in HIV patient’s free radical activity is relatively high hence the low level of vitamin C obtained in this study. Though, this was more pronounced in HIV patients on drugs. Furthermore hyperlipidemia (increased triglyceride level) was equally observed as a result of dual effect of HIV infection and antiretroviral drugs in HIV patients on antiretroviral drugs. Change in oxidative status was also associated with alteration in lipid profile. Incidentally lipid profiles are now mostly affected by use of antiretroviral therapy. The study has revealed that lipid profile parameters are slightly altered in HIV individuals taking antiretroviral drugs. Even though slight, this alteration may cause cardiovascular complication with time and need to be monitored regularly.