European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

SOME INFLAMMATORY AND CARDIOVASCULAR MARKER LEVELS IN HUMAN IMMUNO – DEFICIENCY VIRUS SEROPOSITIVE INDIVIDUALS ON HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY WITH HYPERTENSION IN NNEWI

Osuafor Ogechi Christine*1, Ifeanyichukwu Martin O.1, Ndiokwere Cynthia Kelechi1, Oshim Ifeanyi O.1, Ehiaghe F. Alfred1 and Iyida Peter Emeka2

ABSTRACT

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is one of the world’s most serious health and development challenge. Cardiovascular complications are more common in human immunodeficiency virus infected individuals than in age matched uninfected individuals. Aim: This study was designed to evaluate some inflammatory and cardiovascular markers in HIV seropositive individuals on HAART with hypertension in Nnewi as a marker of inflammatory response and fibrinolytic activity in these subjects. Materials and methods: A total of 150 subjects were recruited and grouped using systematic sampling technique into 3 groups of 50 subjects each. Group1 were HIV seropositive individuals on HAART with hypertension, group2 were HIV seropositive individuals on HAART without hypertension. Control group were recruited among Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital HIV negative staff and students without hypertension. Interleukin – 6, D-dimer and CRP were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, BMI was calculated using the formular: BMI (kg/m2) = Weight (kg) divided by Height (m2). Results and conclusion: The study revealed significant higher levels of CRP (p=0.03) in HIV seropositive individuals on HAART with hypertension than in HIV seropositive individuals on HAART without hypertension, while IL-6, D-dimer and values of BMI showed similar mean values. There were significant higher levels in CRP (p=0.00) and D-dimer (p=0.02) with a significant lower levels in BMI values (p=0.00) in HIV seropositive individuals on HAART with hypertension than in HIV negative controls without hypertension, while IL-6 showed similar mean values. These levels might indicate increased inflammatory response and fibrinolytic activity in HIV infection.

Keywords: Human Immunodeficiency Virus; Cardiovascular disease; IL-6; D-dimer; CRP; BMI.