Abstract

BIOCHEMICAL ALTERATIONS IN ADULT HIV PATIENTS ON ANTIRETRQVIRAL THERAPY

Nwosu,D.C., Nwanjo,H.U., Okolie,N.J.C., Ikeh,K., Ajero, C.M.U., Dike,J., Ojiegbe,G.C., Oze,G.O., Obeagu,Emmanuel Ifeanyi*, Nnatunanya,I., Azuonwu,O., Amajuoyi,O., Ochei,K.C., Okpara,K.E.

ABSTRACT

Some biochemical alterations in adult Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients on Antiretroviral Therapy were investigated at the Federal Medical Centre Owerri, Imo Stale, Ngeria. Subjects were made up of twenty (20) adult HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy (9 males and 11 females) and twenty (20) adult HIV patients not on any antiretroviral therapy (11 males and 9 females) (control) with mean age of 34 years. The period of exposure to therapy was between 1-10 months. The results showed that the mean values of Alanine amino transferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly (P<0.01) reduced in adult HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy when compared with the controls. On the other hand, there was no significant (P>0.05) increase in the concentration of total and conjugated bilirubin (TB and CB) in the adult HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy when compared with the controls. The findings of the study show that antiretroviral Therapy especially within the duration investigated in the study does not have any adverse effect on the liver that may cause hepatotoxicity.

Keywords: Biochemical Alteration, Adult HIV Patients, Antiretroviral therapy, Hepatotoxicity.