EVALUATION OF SERUM LEVELS OF LIPID PEROXIDATION, NITRIC OXIDE METABOLITES AND ANTIOXIDANTS ENZYMES IN SUBJECTS INFECTED WITH HIV

HIV infection poses a significant global health challenge, primarily by inducing oxidative stress through chronic immune activation and inflammation. This oxidative stress disrupts the balance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses, exacerbating disease progression and complications. This study evaluates and compares serum levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide metabolites, and antioxidant enzymes between HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected subjects, while also exploring correlations between oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes in HIV-infected individuals. The study included 80 subjects: 50 HIV-infected individuals and 30 non-HIV-infected controls. The mean ages were 42.14±10.79 years for the HIV-infected group and 39.20±9.23 years for the control group, with both groups having comparable body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure measurements. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured. Results showed that HIV-infected individuals had significantly higher levels of MDA (3.20±0.62 µmol/L), H2O2 (4.83±0.63 µmol/L), and NO (36.47±5.83 µmol/L) compared to controls (1.70±0.31 µmol/L, 3.34±0.28 µmol/L, and 26.83±4.14 µmol/L, respectively; p