Lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] is recognized as an independent factor of
arteriosclerosis. The aim of this study was to appreciate the profile
of Lipoprotein (a) recognized as an independent factor of
arteriosclerosis in the monitoring of HIV-infected patients receiving
Nevirapine (NVP) regimens, an antiretroviral known to reduce
cardiovascular disease risk. The study population (136 subjects)
comprise of 106 HIV-infected subjects, and 30 HIV-negative individuals.
The 106 HIV-infected subjects were divided into groups as follows.
HAART-untreated (27), HIV-infected subjects that did not receive
antiretroviral treatment; HAART-6M (36), HIV-infected subjects on
antiretroviral treatment for six months; and HAART-12M (43),
HIV-infected subjects on antiretroviral treatment for twelve months.
All recruited patients had normal blood lipids values (Total
cholesterol 0.9
mmol/L). The Lp(a) levels were significantly higher in the HIV-infected
group compared to the control (p = 0.0036). Within the HIV-infected
subjects, Lp(a) level was found to be higher in HAART-treated group
compared to HAART naive group (p=0.004). Infected subjects on the
antiretroviral treatment for12 months had higher Lp(a) levels than
those treated for 6 months (p=0.034). This study shows that adequate
management of metabolic abnormalities of HAART-treated HIV-infected
patients must include periodic measurement of Lp(a) levels