A Pilot Study on the Potential Pathological Link Between Oxidative Stress Markers and Renal Function in People Living with HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains a major health burden in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite the widespread use of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Oxidative stress contributes to HIV-related comorbidities, including renal dysfunction. However, the role of oxidative stress in kidney impairment among people living with HIV (PLWH) is not fully understood. This cross-sectional study included PLWH on ART (<i>n</i> = 80), PLWH without ART (<i>n</i> = 27), and people not living with HIV (PNLWH) (<i>n</i> = 44). Oxidative stress was measured by serum malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), while renal function was assessed using cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR_cystC). Participants on ART were older (median 43 years) and had higher CD4+ T-cell counts compared to those not on ART. PLWH on ART showed significantly elevated MDA levels compared to PLWH without ART (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and PNLWH (<i>p</i> = 0.001). There was no difference in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and TAC levels among the groups (<i>p</i> = 0.177 and 0.888, respectively). Among PLWH, MDA was higher in those with reduced renal function (eGFR_cystC < 90) versus normal function (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In PLWH on ART, SOD activity was significantly lower in mild renal impairment (eGFR_cystC 60-89) compared to normal function (<i>p</i> = 0.017), but no difference was observed in the TAC levels (<i>p</i> = 0.883). In PLWH on ART, regression analyses indicated no independent association between MDA and renal function decline, while higher SOD activity independently predicted better renal function (adjusted β = 2.26, <i>p</i> = 0.042). Oxidative damage accompanied by the inability of the body's primary antioxidant defenses may be present at the early onset of renal function decline in PLWH. Superoxide dismutase, as an antioxidant defence enzyme, may be a key contributor to renal health in PLWH on ART. Future studies with larger cohorts and longitudinal designs are needed to clarify these relationships emanating from this pilot study.