OXIDATIVE STRESS IN BLOOD OF HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

The oxidative stress in human erythrocytes was studied in asymptomatic and symptomatic patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS ). tert-Butyl hydroperoxide initiated chemiluminescence, superoxide di smutase and catalase activities, and total glutathione were evaluated in the erythrocytes and the total antioxidant capacity in the plasma o f control, patients infected with HIV that have not yet developed acqu ired immunodeficiency syndrome, and patients in the later stage of AID S. tert-Butyl hydroperoxide initiated chemiluminescence was increased by 33% in asymptomatic (stage A1) and symptomatic patients (stage B2) infected with HIV and 82% for patients with AIDS (stage B3) (P < 0.05) . While catalase activity did not show any difference between patients and controls, other indices showed differences that, in some cases, r eached statistical significance. Superoxide dismutase activity was inc reased by 24% in stages A1 and B2 of HIV infection and 65% in patients in stage B3 (P < 0.05). Glutathione was decreased by 20% in stages A1 and B2, and by 32% in stage B3 patients (P < 0.05). Total plasma anti oxidant capacity was increased in 30 and 57% for the asymptomatic and AIDS patients groups, respectively (P < 0.05). The data indicate that erythrocyte's oxidative stress is associated with the progressive deve lopment of HIV disease. Parameters indicating oxidative stress could b e an interesting form to screen the evolution of these patients and th eir response to anti-oxidant therapies.