title: Mitochondrial disturbances in HIV pregnancies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mitochondrial consequences from foetal exposure to HIV infection and antiretrovirals could be further investigated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this study was to evaluate maternofoetal mitochondrial disturbances in HIV infection and antiretroviral administration in human pregnancies as the aetiopathogenic basis of suboptimal perinatal-clinical features.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional, prospective, observational, exploratory and controlled study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical/epidemiological data of 35 HIV-infected pregnant women and 17 controls were collected. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and RNA (mtRNA) content (real time-PCR), enzymatic activities and content (spectrophotometry) were measured in leucocytes. Genetic-functional, maternofoetal and molecular-clinical correlations were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Birth weight was lower in infants from HIV-infected mothers compared with controls. MtDNA values were slightly decreased in HIV cases, although not reaching statistical significance. MtRNA values were lower in HIV-infected mothers. Similarly, binary complex II+III enzymatic activity decreased to 50% in both HIV-infected mothers (44.45 ± 3.77%) and their infants (48.79 ± 3.41%) (P = 0.001 and P < 0.001). Global CI+III+IV enzymatic activity was lower in HIV-infected mothers and infants (90.43 ± 2.39% and 51.16 ± 9.30%) (P < 0.005 and P < 0.05). MtDNA content correlated with function in mothers and infants. Maternofoetal parameters correlated at genetic and functional levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HAART toxicity caused mitochondrial damage in HIV-infected pregnant women and their newborns, being present at a genetic and functional level with a maternofoetal correlation.
authors.affiliation: aMuscle Research and Mitochondrial Function Laboratory, Cellex-IDIBAPS, Faculty of Medicine-University of Barcelona, Internal Medicine Department, Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, HCB, Barcelona, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras, CIBERER, Valencia bInfectious Diseases Unit, Pediatrics Department, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Constanza
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morén
authors.forename: Antoni
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Noguera-Julián
authors.forename: Glòria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Garrabou
authors.forename: Núria
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rovira
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Catalán
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bañó
authors.forename: Mariona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guitart-Mampel
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tobías
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hernández
authors.forename: Francesc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cardellach
authors.forename: Òscar
authors.initials: Ò
authors.lastname: Miró
authors.forename: Clàudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fortuny
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018445:Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical / Q000517:prevention & control; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000166:cytology; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D004272:DNA, Mitochondrial; D000077278:RNA, Mitochondrial; D012313:RNA