Oxidative stress in hepatitis C virus–human immunodeficiency virus co-infected patients

Abstract

Introduction and objectives: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection generates sustained inflammation with increased reactive oxygen species production. The pathogenic impact of systemic oxidative stress is known to influence drug treatment and follow-up. The aim of this case–control study was to compare the redox status in HCV–HIV co-infected with respect to HIV-infected individuals and to explore the relation between redox and HIV follow-up variables. Patients or materials and methods: Blood samples were drawn from 330 individuals divided into three groups: HIV, HCV–HIV and presumable healthy subjects. Redox, hematological, hemochemical, immunologic and virological indexes were determined. Results: Both HIV groups had significant differences in global indexes of damage and antioxidant status (p < 0.05) with respect to the supposedly healthy individual group. HCV–HIV group showed a significantly higher damage (total hydroperoxide and advanced oxidation protein products) compared to the control and HIV groups (p < 0.05). The overall modification of the redox indexes showed that 72% of individuals with simultaneous detrimental differences were related to HCV–HIV condition. Conclusions: These results corroborate that oxidative stress occurs in the HIV condition and also during HCV–HIV co-infection, with different molecular changes of follow-up indexes. Redox indexes diagnosis should be considered in early diagnosis and treatment of HCV–HIV co-infection.

Keywords

• HIV
• Aids
• Redox alterations
• HCV