Glutathione Peroxidase Levels in Nigerias with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Abstract

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are produced in large amounts in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection. ROS activates HIV replication and multiplication, causing the production of more ROS through the activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) which inactivates some species of ROS has not been investigated in HIV patients in our area. In a cross-sectional study, 131 AIDS patients, 79 asymptomatic non-AIDS HIV-antibody positive subjects and 102 HIV-antibody negative controls were investigated by standard methods. Glutathione peroxidase activity in AIDS patients was 1041.7+ 75.5 U/L, HIV asymptomatic 2988.6+ 1193.1U/L and controls 6443.3 + 1473.1 U/L. Differences in the results between the groups were statistically significant (p<0.05). The depletion of GPX activity in HIV infection could be an adjunct marker in monitoring disease progression in HIV infection.

Keywords:Glutathione peroxidase, AIDS, Nigerian Adults

Journal of Medical Laboratory Sciences Vol. 14 (1) 2005: pp. 11-13