Effects of Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment on Liver and Kidney Functions
Simon Bannison Bani *
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Christian Obirikorang
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Kwabena O. Danquah
Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
William K. B. A. Owiredu
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Lawrence Quaye
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Samuel A. Sakyi
Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.
Yussif Adams
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Peter Paul M. Dapare
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Moses Banyeh
Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
Barnabas B. N. Gandau
School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University for Development Studies, Tamale, Ghana.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study assesses the effects of HAART on liver and renal functions in HIV infected individuals on HAART.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Methods: This study was conducted in Tamale, Ghana from August, 2015 to November 2017.
Methodology: A total of 300 HIV infected participants with ages ranging from 19 to 79 years who have been administered with HAART for at least 6 months were recruited. Pre-HAART administration (baseline) demographic and clinical information, with initial liver and renal function test results were retrieved from the medical records of the participants present at the ART center. Post HAART administration blood sample (5 mLs) was taken from each participant into a gel separated vacutainer tube, allowed to clot and spun at 3000 rpm for 3 minutes to produce serum. The product (serum) was used for liver and renal function test analysis using a fully automated chemistry analyser (Vital Scientific Selectra Flexor XL).
Results: Of the study population, 72% were administered with AZT/3TC/EFV, 13% with AZT/3TC/NVP, 6.7% with TDF/3TC/LPV/r and TDF/3TC/NVP, 1% with AZT/3TC/EFV while 0.7% were administered with TDF/FTC/EFV. The following parameters were significantly increased post HAART administration; ALT (25.53 ± 16.90 to 30.87 ± 19.28 U/L), ALP (163.7 ± 141.0 to 215.2 ± 143.4 U/L), GGT (37.27 ± 25.21 to 53.19 ± 41.71 U/L), Total protein (73.97 ± 17.08 to 82.31 ± 11.62 g/L), Albumin (38.02 ± 9.331 to 41.01 ± 7.471 g/L), Globulin 38.02 ± 15.71 to 42.79 ± 25.20 (g/L). There were however significant reductions in Total bilirubin (12.13 ± 10.85 to 9.434 ± 4.560 µmol/L), Direct bilirubin (6.616 ± 5.770 to 4.184 ± 2.806 µmol/L), (Creatinine 73.19 ± 36.13 to 63.14 ± 27.14 µmol/L) and Urea (3.515 ± 2.552 to 3.011±1.274 mmol/L).
Conclusion: HAART improves renal function, induces elevation in liver enzymes, stimulates the production of plasma proteins and reduces serum bilirubin concentration.
Keywords: Highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV infection, LFT, RFT, HIVAN