Total antioxidant capacity--a novel early bio-chemical marker of oxidative stress in HIV infected individuals.
BACKGROUND
Oxidative stress induced by the production of reactive oxygen species may play a critical role in the stimulation of HIV replication and the development of immunodeficiency. This study was conducted as there are limited and inconclusive studies on the significance of a novel early marker of oxidative stress which can reflect the total antioxidant capacity in HIV patients,


METHODS
Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation were evaluated in 50 HIV-1 seropositive patients (including HIV-1 symptomatics and asymptomatics). Controls included 50 age and sex matched and apparently healthy HIV-1 seronegative subjects. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), Total antioxidant capacity [TAC] (by ferric reducing antioxidant power assay), vitamin E, vitamin C and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme activity were estimated among controls and cases. Statistical comparisons and correlations at 5% level of significance were determined.


CONCLUSIONS
The mean MDA concentrations were significantly elevated in both HIV-1 asymptomatic (CD4+ count > 500 cells/microliter) and HIV-1 symptomatic (CD4+ count <500 cells/microliter) groups (Mean +/- S.D values were 2.2 +/- 0.7 nmol/ml and 2.8 +/- 0.8 nmol/ml respectively) when compared with the control group (mean +/- S.D value was 0.9 +/- 0.2 nmol/ml) (p < 0.01). The mean TAC of HIV-1 asymptomatic and HIV-1 symptomatic (Mean +/- S.D values were 754.6 +/- 135.6 micromol/L and 676.6 +/- 154.1 micromol/L respectively) patients were significantly reduced compared with the control group (Mean +/- S.D value was 1018.7 +/- 125.6 micromol/L) (p < 0.01). Also, there were significantly decreased levels of vitamin E, vitamin C and SOD among HIV-1 seropositive patients(controls > asymptomatic > symptomatic) compared to controls (p < 0.01). TAC showed significant negative correlation with MDA among HIV-1 infected patients (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results clearly show that severe oxidative stress occurs in the HIV-1 seropositive patients in comparison with controls, and increases significantly with the progression of disease, i.e. HIV-1 symptomatics > asymptomatics > controls. TAC can be used as a novel early bio-chemical marker of oxidative stress in HIV-1 infected patients which may result in reduced tissue damage by free radicals and help to monitor and optimize antioxidant therapy in such patients.
Suresh
D R
DR
Department of Biochemistry, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, India. drsuri77@yahoo.com
Annam
Vamseedhar
V
Pratibha
K
K
Prasad
B V Maruti
BV
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D014810:Vitamin E; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D001205:Ascorbic Acid