The effect of different combination therapies on oxidative stress markers in HIV infected patients in cameroon

Abstract

The study assessed the effect of some highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART), used in the management of HIV/AIDS in Cameroon, on oxidative stress markers such as malondialdehyde (as TBARs), albumin, protein carbonyl content and protein sulfhydryls groups. 85 HIV positive patients (34.8 ± 9.3 years) were on three different highly active antiretroviral therapies (HAART patients). 65 HIV positive patients (32.2 ± 10.9 years) on no treatment (Pre-HAART patients), and 90 non-HIV infected patients (32.6 ± 9.3 years), were the control groups. Plasma TBARs as well as carbonyl levels were significantly higher in HIV patients on HAART compared to pre-HAART patients or non-HIV infected controls. On the other hand, the protein sulfhydryl group content was not different for patients on HAART compared to pre-HAART patients, but both were significantly lower than non-HIV infected controls (P < 0.0001, 0.001). The combination treatment Therapy I [stavudin (80 mg) + Lamivudin (600 mg) + Nevirapin + (400 mg) zidovudin (600 mg)] brought about a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the plasma concentration of protein sulfhydrl groups as well as TBARs compared to Therapy II [stavudin (80 mg) + Lamivudin (300 mg) + nevirapin (400 mg)] or with combination Therapy III of [zidovudine (600 mg) + lamivudin(300 mg) with efavirenz (600 mg)] (P < 0.05). The content of the antioxidant, Vitamin C was lower in the plasma of patients on Therapy I compared to those on Therapy II (P < 0.01) and Therapy III (P < 0.001).HIV infection therefore increases the oxidative stress process, while antiretroviral combination therapy increased protein oxidation as well as the level of oxidative stress already present in HIV infection.

Calyx Juice of &lt;i&gt;Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn&lt;/i&gt; (Malvaceae): A Possible Therapeutic Supplement to Antiretroviral Drugs

“…carbon tetrachloride, paraquat) and drugs (e.g. Adriamycin, bleomycin, chlorpromazine) account for the exogenous sources of free radicals generation [17].Also, vigorous physical exercise has been found to raise the free radical status of the body [17]. [19,20].…”

“…Another free radical, nitric oxide (NO) formed from the action of NO synthase on arginine, is highly documented for playing in signal transduction pathways. On the walls of vascular smooth muscles, covalent modification of adenylate cyclase by NO-binding triggers a series of redox reactions that lead to vasodilation [14,17,22]. Besides, most non-adrenergic non-cholinergic (NANC) neurons are activated in the same way as vascular smooth muscles [22].…”

Oxidative Role of HIV/AIDS: Antiretroviral Drugs and Medicinal Plants with Anti-HIV Activity

“…With the glycolytic pathway highly provisioned, its terminal products already in excess retro inhibit its key enzymes such that excess of activated glucose is diverted to the hexose monophosphate shunt (HMS) that produces NADPH. NADPH oxidase in the leukocyte membrane reduces excesses of the molecular oxygen to superoxide, which, through the intermediary of hydrogen peroxide, is transformed into hypochlorous acid (HOCl), a potential toxin to microbes [15,17]. Another free radical, nitric oxide (NO) formed from the action of NO synthase on arginine, is highly documented for playing in signal transduction pathways.…”

“…Free radicals are paramagnetic molecular species with one or more unpaired electrons in their outermost shell [15,16] and are important intermediates in natural processes involving cytotoxicity, control of vascular tone, and neurotransmission [17]. This electronic imbalance makes them highly unstable and as a result, they tend to abstract an electron from nearby molecules to attain some stability [15].…”

“…Adriamycin, bleomycin, chlorpromazine) account for the exogenous sources of free radicals generation [17]. Also, vigorous physical exercise has been found to raise the free radical status of the body [17]. [19,20].…”