ANTIOXIDANT STATUS IN HIV/AIDS ADOLESCENT PATIENTS OF MANIPUR.

Background: Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species are considered as two of the prime suspects for oxidative stress in HIV disease, which in turn stimulate HIV provirus replication and the development of AIDS. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess early markers of oxidative stress which may diminish the total antioxidant capacity in HIV patients. Pro-oxidant marker Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive species (TBARS) was estimated in serum. Antioxidant parameters including Reduced Glutathione (GSH), Vitamins C and E were also assessed. Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 120 HIV-infected adolescents (10-19 years of age) attending out patient department in a tertiary care hospital. Fifty age and sex matched healthy volunteers served as controls. Patients were divided on the basis of their absolute CD4 + counts into 3 groups – Group 1 (500 CD4 + cells/mm3 ). Results: Mean serum TBARS level were significantly higher in GR-1 (8.54 ± 1.19 nmol/mL), GR-2 (7.69 ± 0.84 nmol/mL) and GR-3 (6.97 ± 0.9 nmol/mL) than in healthy subjects (4.33 ± 0.93 nmol/mL). Also, there was significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the levels of vitamin E, vitamin C and GSH among GR-1 and GR-2, though the decrease in levels of vitamin E and vitamin C in GR-3 patients when compared to controls was found to be insignificant (p > 0.05). The TBARS exhibited a negative correlation when compared with CD4 + counts whereas antioxidant markers showed a positive correlation. Conclusion: HIV-infected adolescents have an inadequate antioxidant status, which could influence the progression to AIDS. An adequate micronutrient status and reduced glutathione (GSH) could improve the clinical condition in these patients and minimize free radical production and cellular oxidative stress. More detailed studies need to be conducted at this age group patient to correlate the redox imbalance and disease progression with antioxidant supplementation.