Journal of Reproductive Health and Contraception

Relationship between Vasoactive Agents and Body Composition in HIV patients, Mthatha, South Africa

Background: Obesity increase risk of cardiovascular diseases and renal function disorders. Few studies have examined the physiological effects of the endothelin and NO activity in association to blood pressure and body composition. Therefore the aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological effects of HIV infection, blood pressure and body composition on the changes of endothelin and nitric oxide and association between endothelin and nitric oxide. Methods: This was a descriptive and comparative study. The study population consisted of 154 participants categorized into the following groups: 57 HIV (-) participants, 40 HIV (+) not on treatment participants and 57 HIV (+) on treatment participants. Enzyme immunoassay and Nitrate/nitrite colorimetric assay kit was used for the quantitative determination of ET-1 and NO. All anthropometric measurements were also taken into account. Results: Endothelin and Nitric oxide both presented significant (P<0.005) values during the interaction between HIV status and BMI. Interaction of blood pressure and Body Mass Index across the HIV status groups, there was significant (P<0.005) variation of mean values for SBP, DBP, PP to both HIV status groups and BMI. There was also a significant association in all variables presented age, weight, BMI, SBP, DBP, PP and endothelin, respectively. Conclusion: The study showed that there is an uneven relationship between endothelin, nitric oxide levels and also these two are associated with overweight/ obesity, blood pressure. The findings revile that the positive relationship was lost in both HIV positives groups, possibly due to changes in the endothelium, HIV itself and HIV treatment.

Author(s):

Sinethemba Zono, Kofoworola O Awotedu and Ekambaram Umapathy

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