Abstract
Chronic alcohol use is a common problem globally among the HIV-infected patients on ARV treatment regimens, leading to severe liver damage and increase in serum enzymes. The study determined effect of chronic alcohol intake on serum enzymes (alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT)) in HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP treatment regimen in Uganda using the WHO alcohol use disorders’ identification test (AUDIT) tool and chronic alcohol use biomarkers (ALT, AST, GGT, AST/ALT ≥ 2.0 and mean corpuscular volume (MCV)). A case control study using repeated measure design with serial measurements model was used. Alcohol use biomarkers were used to standardize the gender differences in alcohol use. A total of 41 patients (21 alcohol group and 20 control group) were followed up for 9 months with blood sampling done at 3 month intervals. The serum enzymes’ levels were determined by using the Cobas Intergra 400 Plus analyzer system. The mean GGT levels were higher in chronic alcohol use group as compared to control group in both groups. The levels were above reference ranges during 6 month and three times higher during 9-month follow-up period for both chronic alcohol use self reporting WHO AUDIT tool and biomarkers’ groups. Generally, the mean AST, ALT and AST/ALT levels were slightly higher in alcohol use group as compared to control group and were slightly higher in both groups as compared to reference ranges during the 9 month follow-up period. Chronic alcohol consumption by HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP drug regimen increased GGT and AST/ALT serum enzyme levels and hence was used as chronic alcohol use biomarkers.
Highlights
Alcohol, mainly ethanol, is by far the most abused drug for centuries globally [1,2,3]
The effect of chronic alcohol consumption on the liver enzymes (ALT, AST and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)) levels were determined during the 9 months period of follow up for both the chronic alcohol use self reporting World Health Organization (WHO) alcohol use disorders’ identification test (AUDIT) tool and the chronic alcohol use biomarkers methods
The increased mean GGT levels in the HIV-infected patients on d4T/3TC/NVP drug regimen was due to chronic alcohol consumption and its metabolic ethanol intermediate products like acetaldehyde and free radicals generated during metabolism that can have a deleterious effects to the body tissues and organs especially the liver where they may interfere with the normal metabolism of essential elements, leading to cellular damage through oxidation mechanisms and secondary oxidative stress as on Stavudine (d4T)/Lamivudine (3TC)/Nevirapine (NVP) Treatment Regimen well as the endocrine function disturbances [29,30,31]
Summary
Mainly ethanol, is by far the most abused drug for centuries globally [1,2,3]. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are about 2 billion people in both developing and developed countries globally who consume the different forms of alcoholic beverages [4,5,6] (WHO, 2011). Alcohol consumption is the leading risk factor for disease burden like HIV infection especially in developing countries and the third largest risk factor in developed countries accounting for 4% of the burden of the diseases [4,8,9]. HIV/AIDS is still a global problem and the HIV prevalence varies in the different regions of the world with the sub Saharan Africa still experiencing the burden (Figure 1) [10]. In Uganda, currently the HIV prevalence stands at 7.3% and there is regional variation in urban and rural areas of the country (Figure 1) [11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
