Introduction: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected subjects are immu-no-depressed because of decreased levels of circulating CD4+ lymphocytes. It was suggested that the qualitative defects in phagocytic functions in this infection may hinder chemotaxis, lower oxidative burst enzymes, alter phagocytosis and bacterial killing processes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activities of oxidative burst enzymes in HIV infected subjects and to determine the effect of the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy on these enzymes.
Material and methods: Serum catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities and CD4+ lymphocyte counts were evaluated in 176 HIV infected subjects (50 HIV naïve, 126 on antiretroviral therapy) and 40 HIV negative subjects which served as controls. The enzymes activities were assayed by the ELISA technique using reagents supplied by WKEA Med Supplies Corp (China). The CD4+ lymphocyte count was assayed using the FACScan flow cytometer technique (FACScan Becton Dickinson, USA).
Results: There were statistically significant increases in the activities of CAT (p < 0.05) and MPO (p < 0.02) while SOD (p < 0.001) and CD4 cell count decreased significantly in HIV infected subjects than controls. The activities of CAT (p < 0.001), MPO (p < 0.01) and CD4 cell count (p < 0.001) were significantly higher while SOD (p < 0.001) was lower in HIV infected subjects on HAART than naïve.
Conclusions: The observed increase in the activities of MPO and CAT in HIV positive subjects on HAART correlated with CD4 cell counts. Infected individuals may benefit from antioxidant supplementation in the treatment regimen.