Adverse Hepatic Effects Associated with Administration of Antiretroviral Drugs (Nevirapine, Lamivudine and Stavudine) to Albino Rats: Implication for Management of Patients with HIV/AIDS
Abstract:
We studied the effects of acute and sub-chronic oral administration of
nevirapine, lamivudine and stavudine on liver function in albino rats.
Acute administration of nevirapine resulted in significant (p<0.05)
increases in activities of Aspartate amino transferase (AST) and Alanine
amino transferase (ALT). Total proteins, albumin and globulin were significantly
lowered. Upon sub-chronic administration of nevirapine, only AST and ALT
activities were significantly raised. Acute administration of lamivudine
was associated with significantly (p<0.05) lower albumin and globulin
and higher total bilirubin and conjugated bilirubin levels. There were
no significant differences (p>0.05) in liver function profiles associated
with sub-chronic administration of the drug. However, acute and sub-chronic
administrations of stavudine were not associated with significant (p>0.05)
changes in liver function profiles. We conclude that while the use of
stavudine is safe, acute and sub-chronic oral administration of nevirapine
and lamivudine are associated with hepatotoxicity and hepatoprotective
agents should be incorporated in the treatment regimens employing these
drugs to avert life-threatening complications.
R.A. Umar, S.W. Hassan, M.J. Ladan, I.K. Matazu, B. Shehu, R.A. Shehu, L.G. Muhammed and F.I. Molabo, 2008. Adverse Hepatic Effects Associated with Administration of Antiretroviral Drugs (Nevirapine, Lamivudine and Stavudine) to Albino Rats: Implication for Management of Patients with HIV/AIDS
. Asian Journal of Biochemistry, 3: 19-25.
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