Monitoring of some Liver Enzymes in HIV Patients on HAART
1 Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Management, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
3 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria.
International Journal of Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences Archive, 2026, 11(01), 134-141.
Article DOI: 10.53771/ijbpsa.2026.11.1.0025
Publication history:
Received on 02 February 2026; revised on 10 March 2026; accepted on 12 March 2026
Abstract:
Administration of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) to HIV patients has changed the prognosis of the disease leading to decreased morbidity and mortality but has been shown to affect liver function leading to abnormal liver function tests. About 14 – 18% of deaths in HIV-infected patients have been associated with liver diseases. The study was aimed at determining abnormalities in liver enzymes of HIV-infected patients on HAART (Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir) and to identify factors associated with the enzyme elevation among these patients. 210 adult participants comprising 120 HIV-positive (HAART-treated) and 90 HIV-negative volunteers were recruited for the study. Blood samples, self-administered questionnaires, and hospital case notes were used to collect information on the participants. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 23 software, using Chi- square analysis, Pearson’s, and Spearman’s correlations. Results were presented in frequencies, tables, and bar charts. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. HIV persons comprised mostly of females, 63.7%, median age range of 40 – 49, 50% married, 45% of them had been on treatment for a duration of 5 – 9 years. The study revealed higher- than- normal enzyme activity. An AST:ALT ratio was significantly higher in HIV-subjects compared to the negative control group, with HIV status of a person exerting significant effect (42.5%) in the observed variation. Furthermore, duration of HAART showed a significant influence on AST:ALT ratio in the HIV-positive group, reflecting a treatment-related impact from the study. From the findings, routine monitoring of these enzymes will serve as early indicators of liver dysfunction in HIV patients.
Keywords:
HAART; HIV; Liver enzymes; AST; ALT
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