Urinary ascorbic acid and serum concentrations of circulating immune complexes and albumin in HIV infected subjects.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the presence or absence of ascorbic acid in urine and serum levels of circulating immune complexes (CIC) and albumin in HIV infected subjects. A total of 90 participants (30 Symptomatic HIV infected subjects on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 30 Symptomatic HIV infected subjects not yet on ART and 30 HIV seronegative control subjects) were recruited for the study. Urine samples from participants were used to assess for ascorbic acid while blood samples were used to determine the serum CIC and albumin levels. The result showed that the mean serum concentration of CIC (mg/dl) of Symptomatic HIV subjects on ART was 693±606, for the symptomatic HIV subjects was 535±305 and 84±28 for control subjects (f=19.492; p<0.01). The means serum concentration of albumin 9g/l) was: 34.0±6.0 in symptomatic HIV subjects on ART, 33.0±5.0 in symptomatic HIV subjects and 45.0±3.0 in the control subjects (f=52.804; p<0.01). Finally the prevalence of urinary ascorbic acid excretion was 835, 705 and 77% in the Symptomatic HIV on ART, Symptomatic HIV and control subjects respectively. The raised serum level of CIC in both the Symptomatic HIV subjects on ART and Symptomatic HIV subjects suggest the level of antigen-antibody reaction within the host. The reduction of serum albumin level in both the symptomatic HIV subjects on ART and symptomatic HIV subjects suggest impact on albumin synthesis while urinary excretion of ascorbic acid seem common amongst all groups except for the urinary mean intensity. The implication of the present finding is discussed.

Keywords: HIV; ART; ascorbic acid; albumin and CIC.

Journal of Biomedical Investigation Vol. 4 (2) 2006 pp.54-59