Effect of anti-retroviral therapy on oxidative stress in hospitalized HIV-infected adults with and without TB.

BACKGROUND: HIV infection and opportunistic infections cause oxidative stress (OS), which is associated with tissue damage. Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) is used to treat HIV and decrease the risk of opportunistic infections, but it is unclear whether ART reduces OS. Association of ART with OS was investigated.
METHODS: We stratified a convenience sample of frozen serum or plasma from HIV-infected, ART-naïve (n=21); HIV-infected, ART-treated (n=14); HIV and PTB co-infected, ART-naïve (n=21); HIV and PTB co-infected, ART-treated (n=25) patients. Controls (n=21) were HIV-negative adults without TB symptoms. Concentration of OS markers namely: transaminases (ALT and AST), gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), albumin, total protein, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin C, and total anti-oxidant status (TAS) were determined.
RESULTS: AST (p<0.001), GGT (p<0.001), total protein (p=0.001) and MDA (p<0.001) were higher in HIV patients compared to controls. Vitamin C (P<0.0001) and albumin (p<0.01) were lower in HIV-patients relative to controls. ART was only associated with higher albumin (p=0.001), higher GGT (p=0.02) and lower vitamin C (p=0.009). HIV and PTB co-infection was only significantly associated with higher GGT (p=0.01) and AST (p=0.03).
CONCLUSION: We identified severe OS among HIV-patients. ART was associated with both increased and reduced markers of OS hence suggesting that ART may not attenuate OS.

Introduction

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (TB) are the leading infectious causes of death worldwide1. Globally, about 1.2 million people died from HIV in 2014. Of these, 400,000 were co-infected with TB2. The burden of infections is highest in sub-Saharan Africa where over 74% of the world's HIV and TB co-infections occur3. In 2016, about 1.4 million Ugandans were reported to have HIV, and 28,000 people died of AIDS1.

Oxidative stress (OS) is defined as a disturbance in the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (i.e., free radicals) and anti-oxidant defenses. HIV infection is associated with increased production of free radicals leading to OS through a number of mechanisms4. HIV infection is also associated with suppression of the anti-oxidant defense system5,6. M. tuberculosis (Mtb) is the leading opportunistic infection among HIV patients and is also associated with OS. Mtb activates membrane-bound NADPH-oxidase, which leads to accumulation of reactive oxygen species7,8, leading to the respiratory burst and, subsequently, OS. OS predisposes to intracellular defects such as DNA damage leading to malignancies; accelerated apoptosis leading to metabolic disorders and premature ageing; neurological damage leading to dementia; increased HIV replication leading to immune dysfunction9–12, and poor treatment outcomes. OS also predicts mortality in HIV-infected patients13.

The use of ART has converted HIV into a chronic and manageable disease. It has reduced mortality and cases of opportunistic infections among HIV-infected patients. The role of OS in modulating HIV infection is well-established11, but how ART modifies OS remains unclear.. While one study reported that ART was associated with decreased OS14, others found that it was associated with increased OS15–17. Uganda is among the 30 high TB burden countries with adult HIV prevalence rate of 6.51, yet there is a paucity of data regarding oxidative stress among HIV and TB-co-infected patients.

Uncertainity regarding the role of ART in OS limits recommendations to intervene with anti-oxidant(s) supplements to avert OS in HIV-infected patients. Thus, better understanding of the role of ART on OS may lead to interventions to improve outcomes.

In this study, we aimed to: (1) compare OS markers in HIV-infected persons to those without HIV, (2) compare OS in HIV/TB co-infected individuals to those with HIV-mono infection and, (3) assess the association of ART with OS among hospitalized HIV and HIV/PTB co-infected patients in Uganda.

Methods

Study design and setting: We conducted a cross-sectional study among consenting HIV-infected adults (≥18 years) that were admitted to Mulago Hospital in Kampala, Uganda with possible pneumonia as part of the Mulago Inpatient Non-invasive Diagnosis-International HIV-associated Opportunistic Pneumonias (MIND-IHOP) study18–21 from 2013–2015.

Inclusion criteria for the sub-study were: being HIV positive with or without TB disease, HIV positive with or without being on ART, HIV negative with no symptoms of chronic disease(s) including TB, and availability of sufficient plasma and/or serum samples.

Exclusion criteria for the sub-study were: missing ART status related information, being on anti-tuberculosis therapy, age above 45 years, alcohol consumption (>10 bottles for more than 4-times/week), and cigarette smoking (>10 cigarettes/day).

We selected a convenience sample of specimens from four HIV patient groups: (1) HIV-infected, ART-naïve, (2) HIV-infected, ART-treated, (3) HIV and PTB co-infected, ART-naïve; and (4) HIV and PTB co-infected, ART-treated. ART naïve were newly diagnosed HIV patients who were not under formal HIV management until the time of recruitment into the MIND-IHOP study. HIV infection was confirmed at time of enrollment and PTB infection was diagnosed by direct fluorescent microscopy (auramine-O staining) or GeneXpert MTB/RIF (Cepheid, Sunnyvale CA) with confirmation by Lowenstein-Jensen culture method. HIV was screened for using Abbott rapid diagnostic test (Abbott Japan Co ltd. Tokyo, Japan), and confirmed using a STAT-PAC test (Chembio diagnostic system, INC New York, USA). CD4 counts were measured using a BD FACScalibur machine (BD Sciences, San Jose CA). We defined ART-treated patients as those who self-reported adherence to ART for ≥6 months, while ART-naïve patients were HIV-infected patients who had never started ART. We additionally enrolled healthy controls testing negative for HIV, hepatitis B, and C and without TB symptoms at a local blood bank. To minimize confounders, we excluded cigarette smokers, alcohol drinkers, and persons who were above 45 years of age or who had already initiated TB treatment.

Oxidative stress (OS) assays: Stored serum (−20°C) and plasma (−80°C) were used. Selection of markers was based on their clinical significance, power to reflect OS, and feasibility of their assays in our laboratory setting. OS is associated with elevated levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transaminase (GGT), total protein, and malondialdehyde (MDA). OS is also associated with decreased levels of serum albumin, vitamin C, and total anti-oxidant status (TAS).

We determined levels of AST (U/L), ALT (U/L), GGT (U/L), and albumin (mg/ml) using a clinical chemistry automated analyzer (COBASR MIRA INTEGRA 400 plus; Roche diagnostics, GMBH, Germany)22. This analyzer is located at the clinical chemistry laboratory of Mulago Hospital Complex, the National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda.

Total protein levels were determined by Biuret method23. A mixture of plasma, distilled water and Biuret reagent was homogenized and then incubated for 30 minutes at ambient temperature. Standard solution (2500µg/250ml albumin) was prepared in a similar way. Absorbances were read at 580nm. Total protein concentration was obtained from a standard curve.

Plasma levels of MDA (µM) were determined by a thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method14. To 200µl of plasma was added 100µl of TBA (15g) /TBA (0.67g) /0.25MHCl (50ml) mixture, followed by 200µl 1M HCl. This mixture was heated at 95°C for 1 hour, cooled on ice, and then centrifuged at 3000rpm for 2 minutes. The supernatant was mixed with 200µl of 3M NaOH and absorbance of the mixture was read (in duplicates) at 540nm within 10 minutes. Concentration of MDA (µM) was calculated using a factor (1.56x105 M-1cm).

Levels of vitamin C (mg/dl) were determined by the acid phosphotungstate (PTA) method24. Equal volumes of plasma and color reagent (PTA) were incubated in the dark at ambient temperature for 30 minutes and then centrifuged at 3000rpm for 15 minutes. Absorbance of the supernatant was read at 700nm against a reagent blank. Vitamin C concentration was obtained from the standard curve constructed using standard ascorbic acid (99% ascorbic acid from BDH, laboratory supplies, Poole England).

Concentrations of TAS were determined (in duplicates) by using a modified ABTS (RANDOX NX2332) method25. Briefly, 50µl of the sample was mixed with 250µl of chromogen (R2). The mixture was incubated at 37°C for 5 minutes before its absorbance (A1) was read at 600nm. To the mixture was then added 50µl of chromogen (R3) and incubated at 37°C for 3 minutes and its absorbance (A2) was read at 600nm. A reagent blank and standard were prepared in the same way but replacing the sample with double-distilled water and the standard, respectively. Difference in absorbance was calculated by subtracting A2 from A1 for all the three (blank, standard and samples). A factor was calculated by dividing the concentration of the standard by difference in absorbance between the blank and the standard. Concentrations of TAS were then calculated by multiplying the calculated factor with the difference in absorbance of the blank and that of the sample.

Statistical analysis: Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad Prism verion 4. We evaluated between-group differences using Mann-Whitney U test with an alpha level (p-value) of 0.05. We used one way ANOVA to compare differencesin age and gender between more than two groups. Exposures evaluated as risk factors for OS included HIV, PTB, age, gender and ART status.

Results

Baseline characteristics

This study included 102 patients: 81 who were HIV-infected and 21 who were HIV-negative healthy controls. Among the 81 HIV-infected, 21 were HIV-infected and ART-naïve, 14 were HIV-infected and ART-treated, 21 were HIV and PTB co-infected and ART-naïve, and 25 were HIV and PTB co-infected and ART-treated. The median age of all study participants was 35 (IQR 28–42) years and 53% were women. Using One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test, we did not identify a statistically significant difference in gender (p=0.18) and age (p=0.41) across study groups. Among the HIV-infected patients, the median CD4 T-cell count was 110 (IQR 34–234) cells/µl. The median time on ART was 17.5 months among the HIV-mono-infected patients and 11.0 months among the HIV and PTB co-infected patients. Among HIV-infected patients, there was a non-significant trend towards higher CD4 T cells counts among those who were ART-treated relative to those who were ART-naive (p=0.24) (Table 1).

Table 1

Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the participants

Participants Characteristics	HIV (ART naive)	HIV (ART treated)	HIV/PTB (ART naive)	HIV/PTB (ART treated)	Healthy Controls
Number (n)	21	14	21	25	21
Female gender (%)	9(43%)	8(57%)	15(71%)	11(46%)	11(55%)
Age (years) Median(IQR)	31(22.5–39.0)	39.5(27.5–48.0)	32(27.5–37.5)	38(32.50–45.5)	30(27–33.0)
CD4(cells/µ;l) Median(IQR)	87(26–247.5)*	112(21.5–265.5)*	82(23–152.5)*	165(76.5–165.5)*	870(708–1037)
ART duration (months) Median (IQR)	N/A	17.50(11–66)	N/A	11(9.50–36)	N/A

Abbreviations definitions: ART=Antiretroviral therapy, HIV=Human immune deficiency syndrome, TB=Tuberculosis. Results are presented as percent (n) or Median (Interquartile range: IQR).

p<0.001

all in comparison with the reference group; N/A= not applicable

Oxidative stress markers in HIV-infected patients and HIV-negative healthy controls

Consistent with increased OS in HIV, the 81 HIV-infected patients combined had higher median AST (U/L) [32.8 vs 17.3; p<0.001], GGT (U/L) [64.0 vs 21.4; p<0.001], total protein (mg/ml) [42.9 vs 37.9; p=0.012], and MDA (µM) [1.73 vs 1.37; p<0.001] levels than the 21 HIV-negative controls. However, median ALT (U/L) level was lower in HIV-infected patients [9.0 vs 12.5; p=0.048]. Also consistent with OS, HIV-infected patients in all groups combined had significantly lower median levels of albumin (g/l) [29 vs 44; p<0.001] and vitamin C (mg/dl) [0.17 vs 0.51; p<0.001]. Although there was a trend towards lower median levels of TAS (mmol/l) in the HIV-infected patients combined [1.6 vs 1.8; p=0.99], this was not statistically significant.

Association of ART with oxidative stress markers in all HIV-infected patients

As hypothesized, albumin (g/l) was higher among the HIV-infected ART-treated compared to the HIV-infected ART-naïve patients [33.3 vs 27.5; p=0.001]. Median levels of AST, ALT, total protein, MDA, and TAS did not significantly (p>0.05) differ between the ART-treated and the ART-naïve patients. The ART-treated had higher median levels of GGT (U/L) compared to the ART-naïve patients [77.0 vs 53.0; p = 0.023] and the median levels of vitamin C (mg/dl) were significantly lower among the ART-treated compared to the ART-naïve patients [0.25 vs 0.14; p=0.01] (Table 2).

Table 2

Oxidative stress markers among ART-treated versus ART naïve patients

Parameter	HIV (ART-treated)*	HIV (ART-naïve)*	P-value (statistical power)
Vitamin C(mg/dl)Median(IQR)	0.1(0.09–0.19)	0.28(0.12–0.18)	0.001 (100)
Albumin(g/l) Median(IQR)	33.3(26.3–42.70)	27.50(19.70–31.30)	0.001 (100)
TP(mg/ml) Median(IQR)	43.8(39.5–45.40)	42.90(40–45.30)	0.66 (68)
TAS(mmol/l) Median(IQR)	1.3(1.00–1.89)	1.58(1.03–2.22)	0.43 (99.8)
MDA(µM) Median(IQR)	1.7(1.46–1.96)	1.73(1.56–1.86)	0.88 (83.4)
ALT(IU) Median(IQR)	9.9(5.9–17.5)	8.65(5.75–12.70)	0.32 (100)
AST(IU) Median(IQR)	36.7(21.5–57.00)	29.70(21.50–55.35)	0.70 (37.5)
GGT(IU) Median(IQR)	77.0(48.00–161)	53(30–80.50)	0.02 (100)

Abbreviations: TP= Total protein, TAS=Total antioxidant status, MDA=Malondialdehyde, ALT=Alanine transaminase, AST=Aspartate transaminase, GGT=Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase. Legend:

Includes both HIV-mono infected and HIV/TB co-infected patients

Association of HIV mono-infection and HIV/PTB co-infection with oxidative stress markers

Median levels of AST (U/L) [43.5 vs 28.2; p=0.03] and GGT (U/L) [75 vs 42; p=0.01] were significantly higher among the HIV and PTB co-infected when compared with the HIV mono-infected patients. However, median levels of ALT, total protein, MDA, albumin, vitamin C, and TAS did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the HIV and PTB co-infected and, the HIV-mono-infected patients (Table 3).

Table 3

Oxidative stress markers in HIV mono-infected and HIV/TB co-infected patients

Parameter	HIV mono infected*	HIV/PTB co-infected*	P-value
Vitamin C(mg/dl) Median(IQR)	0.16(0.11–0.35)	0.19(0.09–0.41)	0.76
Albumin (g/l) Median(IQR)	28.2(19.0–34.45)	30.1(25.00–40.85)	0.14
TP (mg/ml) Median(IQR)	42.9(39.45–46.90)	43.2(37.40–45.30)	0.78
TAS (mmol/l) Median(IQR)	1.3(0.83–1.93)	1.7(1.12–2.37)	0.16
MDA(µM) Median(IQR)	1.8(1.55–1.94)	1.7(1.54–1.87)	0.61
ALT(IU) Median(IQR)	9.0(6.2–15.4)	9.1(5.45–13.90)	0.58
AST(IU) Median(IQR)	28.2(20.65–42.20)	43.5(23.65–66.85)	0.03
GGT(IU) Median(IQR)	42.0(22.5–66.00)	75.0(45–147)	0.01

Abbreviation: TP= Total protein, TAS=Total antioxidants status, MDA=Malondialdehyde, ALT=Alanine transaminase, AST= Aspartate transaminase, GGT=Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase. Legend:

All patients combined regardless of their ART status

Association of ART with oxidative stress markers in HIV/PTB co-infected patients

Median vitamin C (mg/dl) level was lower among the ART-treated HIV and PTB co-infected relative to the ART-naïve HIV and PTB co-infected patients [0.14 vs. 0.28; p=0.029]. However, median albumin (g/l) level was significantly higher [39.5 vs 25.5; p<0.001] among the ART-treated HIV and PTB co-infected patients relative to the ART-naïve HIV and PTB co-infected patients. Median levels of AST, ALT, GGT, total protein, MDA, and TAS did not differ significantly (p>0.05) between the ART-treated HIV and PTB co-infected, and the ART-naïve HIV and the PTB co-infected patients. (Table 4).

Table 4

Association of ART and OS markers in the HIV/PTB co-infected patients

Parameter	HIV/PTB (ART treated)β	HIV/PTB (ART naïve)β	P-value
Vitamin C (mg/dl) Median(IQR)	0.14(0.10–0.17)	0.28(0.12–0.41)	0.03
Albumin (g/l) Median(IQR)	39.5(27.9–48.90)	25.5(21.80–31.30)	0.001
TP (mg/ml) Median(IQR)	44.0(37.65–45.35)	41.8(37.10–44.80)	0.39
TAS (mmol/l) Median(IQR)	1.2(1.06–1.87)	1.7(1.12–2.37)	0.06
MDA(µM) Median(IQR)	1.3(1.51–1.85)	1.7(1.59–1.91)	0.65
ALT(IU) Median(IQR)	9.9(5.9–17.05)	7.0(4.7–12.70)	0.24
AST(IU) Median(IQR)	39.2(24.45–57.30)	54.2(22.70–72.20)	0.29
GGT(IU) Median(IQR)	77.5(45.0–180.0)	70.0(46.50–172)	0.95

Abbreviations: ART=Antiretroviral therapy, TP=Total protein, TAS=Total antioxidant status MDA=Malondialdehyde, ALT=Alanine transaminase, AST=Aspartate transaminase, GGT=Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase.

Legend:

All patients were HIV/TB co-infected

Discussion

In this study of hospitalized HIV and HIV/PTB co-infected patients in Uganda, we found that HIV-infected patients were under severe OS with both increased levels of OS markers and decreased levels of anti-oxidants. Overall, neither ART nor PTB were associated with a significant difference in levels of OS markers. This suggests that anti-oxidant supplementation might be beneficial irrespective of ART use.

As a group, HIV-infected patients had lower levels of plasma vitamin C and albumin and higher MDA relative to healthy controls, consistent with higher oxidative stress. Vitamin C scavenges free radicals and may be depleted due to increased free radical production in HIV/PTB26–28. HIV proteins such as negative regulatory factor (Nef), Viral protein r(Vpr) and trans-activator of transcription (Tat) act as direct modulators of OS through up-regulating free radicals production and invasion of the antioxidant defense system29. MTB increases levels of free radicals through activation of the membrane bound NADPH oxidase and myeloperoxidase enzymes leading to respiratory burst. Additionally, the low levels of plasma vitamin C among the HIV and HIV/PTB co-infected patients may be explained by low dietary intake or malabsorption due to oxidative damage on the gastrointestinal tract30. Our findings are consistent with previous reports of low plasma vitamin C and serum albumin levels in ambulatory HIV and PTB-infected individuals31–36. Importantly, low levels of vitamin C is a risk factor to certain cancers and scurvy37, while low serum albumin levels independently predict in-hospital death38,39. MDA is a product of lipid peroxidation that is caused by the free radicals attack on the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the cell membranes14. Higher levels of MDA in HIV and HIV/PTB co-infected patients may hence indicate increased production of ROS molecules. MDA is transported by lipoproteins to distant tissues by circulation. There, MDA induces secondary production of ROS and subsequent uncontrolled lipid peroxidation. Over production of MDA through uncontrolled lipid peroxidation may cause systemic cell damage through altering the cell membrane fluidity. This may further compromise the immune system and lead to poor health of the HIV and HIV/PTB co-infected patients40–43.

Different populations on ART may have different OS levels due to differences in their lifestyle, environment pollutants and genetic variability. Conceptually, ART could reduce OS by reducing viral activity. However, ART drugs and/or their metabolic products may also augment OS by blocking the anti-oxidant-defense system44, or by activating the pathways that produce free radicals. Bechan Sharma proposed that ART or its metabolites could block three key anti-oxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione reductase. Subsequently, this would lead to accumulation of ROS molecules such as superoxide anions, hydrogen peroxides44.

Several previous studies have had conflicting findings regarding the association of ART with OS. Among ambulatory HIV patients in Nigeria, ART reduced OS14. However, other studies showed that ART augments OS45–51. Enhanced OS during ART treatment may be due to altered oxidative phosphorylation and increased production of oxidized metabolites. Interestingly, the magnitude of ART induced OS seems to be differential and dependent on a number of factors including ART duration and adherence, and the composition of the therapeutic regimen52–54. In the current study, we did not identify a significant association between ART and most of the OS markers, but we also did not have sufficient power to examine the impact of specific ART medications or ART duration on OS. This observation suggests that all HIV-infected patients, regardless of ART use, could potentially benefit from extrinsic anti-oxidant supplementation.

Hepatic markers reflect OS and end organ dysfunction although they are not yet regarded as cardinal markers of OS. GGT, total protein and liver transaminases (ALT and AST) have been suggested as inexpensive and easily assayed markers of OS in humans55 and in animal56 models. In this study, we observed higher levels of GGT, AST and total protein among HIV and HIV/PTB co-infected patients, which is consistent with increased OS regardless of the ART status. Being on ART was associated with significantly higher GGT among the HIV mono-infected but this was not the case among the PTB co-infected patients. The reason for this disparity was unclear to us. However, it could partly be attributed to ART duration. ART duration among the HIV-mono-infected was 6 months higher than that among the PTB co-infected patients. OS due to HIV and PTB infections or to chronic ART use may independently be associated with inflammatory reactions which may cause increased production of proteins mainly the globulins49, and oxidative liver tissue damage. This could explain the higher levels of GGT, AST and total protein that we observed in the HIV and HIV/PTB co-infected patients.

This study has several limitations. Since this was a cross sectional study, we could not confirm OS causality. Our sample size of HIV mono-infected patients was small, potentially limiting our power to identify small effects. ART adherence was based on the patients' self-report, and may tend to over-estimate exposure. We were unable to assess the impact of variation in bacillary load and severity of TB disease. Some of the cardinal makers of OS such as glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase, were not assessed. Nevertheless, our study provides important new insights into OS in HIV and HIV/TB co-infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa.

Conclusion

This study has demonstrated severe OS among hospitalized HIV-patients compared with those without HIV. We have shown that markers of OS do not significantly differ between HIV/PTB co-infected persons compared with those who were HIV mono-infected. We have also demonstrated that markers of OS do not significantly differ between ART treated persons and those who are ART naïve.

We hence recommend studies to explore the potential benefit of intervention with cost effective anti-oxidants supplementation in HIV patients.