Redox indexes and progression markers in HIV-infected patients treated with three different HAART combinations

Abstract

Rosario G. Hernandez, Ivon G. Blanco, Daniel P. Correa, Dayme H. Requejo,Yusimit B. Alfonso, Lizette G. del Valle, Olga S. L. Fernandez, Jorge P. Avila

Objective: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is the choice to treat cases with an established HIV-infection and to prevent establishment of infection after exposure. Oxidative stress has been associated to HIV infection and, depending of therapy combination, effectiveness and adherence, to HAART. This study assessed the effect of three different HAART combinations, i.e. zidovudine/lamivudine/nevirapine (I), zidovudine/lamivudine/indinavir (II) and stavudine/lamivudine/nevirapine (III), on redox indexes and progression markers of disease on blood. Methods: We recruited 200 individuals of which 160 were HIV+ (40 never treated and 120 were taking different HAART combinations for at least six months), and the other 40 were supposedly healthy voluntaries (SHV). Peroxidation potential, glutathione, malondialdehyde, hydroperoxides, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), viral load and CD4 lymphocytes T subsets were measured at baseline for all individuals and after 6 months. Results: The comparison between SHV and HIV treated or non-treated patients groups showed significant differences in almost all redox indexes with different molecular significance. Statistically modified values were found in almost all redox indexes at 6 months compared to the baseline except in SOD activity and peroxidation potential for combination I and III combinations and AOPP and SOD activity for combination II. Insignificant differences were found between HIV+ patients groups with respect to CD4 T lymphocyte subsets. The 78% of patients receiving treatment showed a viral load reduction. The multivariate statistical model clearly separated treated groups according progression indexes and redox profile. Conclusion: Therapeutic effectiveness confirmation and its benefits in HIV-infected patients combined with additional oxidative stress impact promoted integral view approach to follow up infection.