The Effects of Antiretroviral Drugs on the Lipid Profile in HIV Patients

The lipid profiles of 40 HIV-seropositive patients were studied. Twenty of them received anti-retroviral drugs while the remaining 20 did not. Elevated levels of serum total cholesterol (6.6±0.3mmol/l), low density lipoprotein (LDL) (5.3±0.4mmol/l) and triglycerides (3.4±0.3mmol/l) were found in HIV-infected patients who received anti-retroviral therapy compared to the patients who did not receive treatment. Serum high density lipoproteins (HDLs) (0.7±0.1mmol/l) were significantly decreased in HIV-infected patients who received antiretroviral therapy compared to those who did not receive anti-retroviral drugs. Although antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV infection, they are associated with reduced levels of beneficial HDLs and increased levels of harmful LDLs, predisposing patients to increased risks of heart disease. Efforts should be made to aggressively manage these side effects of antiretroviral therapy.