Studies on Changes in Some Indices of Liver Function in HIV/AIDS Patients in Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) in Imo State, Nigeria

A study on changes in some indices of liver function amongst HIV/AIDS patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) was conducted in Imo State between February 2022 and August 2023. A total of 722 Venous blood samples, comprising 24 serum 1 from HIV seropositive patients receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), 241 samples from HIV seropositive patients that have not commenced HAART and 240 samples from the control group. The blood samples were collected using sterile needles and syringes and were analyzed using standard biochemical methods for serum bilirubin, aspartate aminotransaminase, alanine aminotransaminase, alkaline phosphatase, serum protein and lipid profile. HIV/AIDS Seropositive patients on HAART showed a significant increase (P<0.25) in the mean aspartate aminotransaminase, alanine aminotransaminase, and alkaline phosphatase (10.32 ± 2.74, 8.71 ± 0.85, and 33.91 ± 0.37 in/L) and the control group (11.43 ± 2.73, 8.58 ± 0.49 and 34.17 ± 0.39 in/L). However, HIV/AIDS seropositive patients receiving HAART with hepatitis B virus co-infection showed a more significant increase (P<0.05) in the mean total and conjugated bilirubin, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase (48.2 ± 0.79, 30.90 ± 0.79, 37.72 ± 3.58, 49.70 ± 3.58 and 186.14 ± 13.15 in/L). No significant difference (P>0.05 was observed in the mean total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-Cholesterol, LDL-Cholesterol, Serum protein and bilirubin among HIV seropositive patients receiving HAART, when compared with the control group. The study has revealed that HIV/AIDS Patients on HAART are more likely to be predisposed to hepatic toxicity due to long-term dependency on HAART. Therefore, early diagnosis of hepatic dysfunction could promote safe and effective use of highly active anti-retroviral therapy among these patients.