Effects of Anti-Retroviral Therapy on Some Liver Parameters of Hiv Sero-Positive Individuals in Rivers State, Nigeria

¹Ajuru, Gospel, ²Nwosu, Dennis Chimezie, ³Ifenkwe, John Chimerenka, ⁴Nnadiukwu, Tochukwu

¹Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemical Pathology, Imo State University, Imo State, Nigeria.

³Department of Chemical Pathology, Health Check Integrated Services, 193 Chief Melford Okilo Way, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Biochemistry/Chemistry Technology, School of Science Laboratory Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effect of antiretroviral therapy on some liver parameters of HIV sero-positive individuals in Rivers State, Nigeria. A total of 300 HIV patients, undergoing treatment were recruited in this study, aged 20-70 years. They were classified into three groups; Group 1 was made up of HIV sero-Positive infected individuals on highly antiretroviral therapy as the test subjects. Group 2 was HIV sero-Positive infected individual but not on highly active antiretroviral therapy as control 1, while Group 3 was HIV sero-negative individual as control 2. Ethical approval for the study and informed consent from the participants were obtained. The results revealed a statistically significant increase (P<0.005) in AST F=8.781, P=0.000, ALT F=29.052, P=0.000, ALP F=6.078, P=0.000, TP F=62.830, P=0.000, ALB F=899.014, P=0.000 of test subject and control I compared to control II, also statistically significant increase (P<0.005) in AST F=3.756, P=0.000, ALP F=361.489, P=0.000 in relation to sex (male and female) test subject and control I compared to control II. Also statistically significant increase (P<0.005) in AST F= 2.481, P=0.000, ALT F=5.534, P=0.000, ALP F=1.260, P=0.0233, TP F=10.560, P=0.000, ALB F=141.120, P=0.000 of the test subject and control I compared to control II, in relation to age groups. Based on duration of therapy, 0-2years, the results revealed no significant increase (P>0.05) in AST and ALB levels, however, a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in ALT, ALP and TP; for 2-5 years, no significant increase (P>0.005) in AST, ALT, ALP, TP, ALT, ALB, TP, ALB. For 5-10years, there was no significant increase (P>0.05) in AST, ALT, ALP, TP, ALT, ALP of the test subjects compared to the control I and control II respectively. This study demonstrated that long term administration of HAART to HIV infected positive subjects could lead to metabolic disorder such as dyslipidaemia which could predispose the patient to high risk of conorary heart disease.  

Keyword: Anti-retroviral drugs, Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, HIV sero-negative individual, HIV seropositive individuals, Liver parameters