Abstract 463: Elevated Oxidative Stress and Reduction of Hydrogen Sulfide (H 2 S) and Nitric Oxide (NO) in HIV Patients: Possible Role in Cardiovascular (CV) Disease

Abstract

Background: HIV attacks the immune system and weakens the ability to fight infections/disease. HIV infection confers approximately two-fold higher risk of cardiac events compared with the general population. ADMA, high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) and IL-6 are well-characterized biomarkers of cardiac events. H 2 S and NO exert potent antioxidant properties and are cardioprotective. The present study was undertaken to determine the levels of H 2 S, NO, and CV disease biomarkers in HIV patients. Methods: Plasma from both HIV patients and normal subjects were used for all assays. Oxidative stress was determined by analyzing the levels of advanced oxidation protein products and H 2 O 2 . Antioxidant levels were determined by measuring the levels of trolox equivalent capacity. ADMA, hs-CRP, and IL-6 were determined by using ELISA. The levels of H 2 S/sulfane sulfur and nitrite were determined in plasma by using gas chromatography and HPLC, respectively. Results: We observed a marked induction in the levels of oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status in the plasma of HIV patients as compared with the controls. CV risk factors levels such as ADMA, hs-CRP, and IL-6 were significantly increased in the plasma of HIV patients. Significant reduction in the levels of both nitrite and H 2 S/sulfane sulfur were observed in the plasma of HIV patients as compared with controls. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate significant increases in oxidative stress and CV disease biomarkers in conjunction with decreased bioavailability of H 2 S and NO in HIV patients. Diminished levels of these two cardioprotective gaseous signaling molecules may be involved in the pathogenesis of CV disease in the setting of HIV.