Effect of Antiretroviral Therapy and Vitamin E Supplementation on Total Antioxidant Capacity in Children Living with HIV.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in children living with HIV (CLHIV) and to evaluate the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and vitamin E supplementation on TAC.

METHODS

The study included CLHIV on ART ≥ 2 years, ART-naïve CLHIV and healthy controls. CLHIV on ART ≥ 2 years received vitamin E supplements in addition to combination ART for three months duration. TAC levels, α-tocopherol levels, hemogram, red blood cell indices, viral load and CD4 counts were estimated at baseline and after three months of ART.

RESULTS

A total of 25 children were included per group. The median (IQR) TAC levels (mM Trolox Equiv) were significantly lower in CLHIV ART for ≥ 2 years [6.32 (8.7, 13.28)], compared to controls [11.89 (8.15, 14.38)] and ART-naïve CLHIV [12.69 (7.61, 16.78)]. TAC levels increased after 3 months of starting ART [15.57 (9.90, 17.49); P = 0.178]. α-tocopherol levels (µmol/L) were significantly different among the three groups, viz controls [72 (28.86, 80)], ART-naïve CLHIV [40.24 (30.36, 71.59)] and CLHIV on ART ≥ 2 years [16.77 (13.15, 20.21)]. Three months of vitamin E supplementation, failed to produce a significant increase in TAC levels [10.4 (7.28, 14.92)] while the red cell indices and CD4 counts improved significantly with a marginal reduction in HIV viral load.

CONCLUSION

Prolonged ART reduced antioxidant capacity. Three months of vitamin E supplementation produced marginal increase in TAC levels.

TRIAL REGISTRY: CTRI/2022/12/047960 [Registered on: 08/12/2022] Trial Registered Prospectively.