Abstract:
Hepatotoxicity is one of the most serious complications in
patients using antiretroviral therapy (ART). Also, it has
been documented that abnormal lipid profile was
observed in patients placed on ART by investigators in
Europe and Asia. This study was carried out to find out if
similar finding is obtained in patients on ART in University
of Abuja Teaching Hospital (UATH). One hundred and
fifty-three participants were involved in the study which
consists of fifty-two HIV/AIDS patients receiving ART, fifty-
one HIV/AIDS patient who ART-naive and fifty apparently
healthy HIV negative subjects where observed as control.
Lipid profile and some liver enzymes were analysed using
conventional methods. The lipid parameters are; total
cholesterol, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-
Cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)– Cholesterol,
Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) – cholesterol. The
enzymes determined were Alanine amino transferase
(ALT), Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Alkaline
phosphatase (ALP). In the study significant increase was
observed in T. Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL –
cholesterol (p<0.001, <0.006 and <0.001) in HIV/AID
study group respectively. However, Triglyceride and VLDL
– Cholesterol values in study group showed no significant
difference when compared with that of the control group
(p>0.05). The mean values of ALT, AST and ALP
enzymes activity of (HIV/AIDS) patients on ART,
showered significant difference (p<0.001) when compared
with the ART- naïve HIV/AIDS patients and HIV-negative control group. The mean activity in the ART- naïve
HIV/AIDS patients show significant difference when
compared with the HIV-negative control group (p< 0.001),
but however, ALP showed no significant difference
(p>0.05). In the study, abnormal lipid profile and liver
enzyme were obtained in patient receiving ART, we
suggest that ART regimen should be administered with
caution to ensure little or no side effect on the liver
hepatocytes.
