Changes in Serum Transaminases with Haart Administration in Women of Reproductive Age in Benin, Nigeria

Abstract

This study is aimed at establishing the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT)of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive reproductive aged women both in the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles, using serum. A hundred women aged between 18-40 years (mean=29years) were considered with fifty seronegative women of same age group as controls. The study was prospective and carried out at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH), a tertiary institution that has bed compliment of over 700 patients and serves as a referral center for many states in the country of Nigeria. The subjects were recruited before the commencement of HAART and monitored for nine months at three months interval after the initiation of therapy. The transaminases were measured in both the follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle using their serum. Infection by HIV was observed to have led to significant elevations in ASTin both the follicular and luteal phases while the ALT was significantly elevated in the follicular phase and decreased in the luteal phase. With HAART administration, significant decreases were observed in all phases from the third month to the end of study. HAART lowered the AST and ALT which were elevated by HIV infection. HAART led to a significant decrease in the levels of AST and ALT which were elevated by HIV infection against hepatotoxicity as suggested by some researches showing that the sex hormones might have great influence on the effect of HAART.

Keywords: Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT), HIV, Follicular phase, Luteal phase