Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 15, 2026

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein
Published on: October 12, 2017
Lipid profile changes by high activity anti-retroviral therapy
M Duro1, R Sarmento-Castro, C Almeida
1Faculty of Pharmacy, Oporto University, Oporto, Portugal.
Objective:
Study of the lipid profile in patients infected with HIV treated with different combinations of high activity anti-retroviral therapy (HAART).
Design And Methods:
A retrospective cohort study of the lipid profile in patients undergoing HAART. The study analyzes the evolution of concentrations of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDLc) and HDL-cholesterol (HDLc) in a period of at least 3 years of treatment. From a total of 750 clinical cases analyzed in Hospital Joaquim Urbano (Oporto, Portugal) 124 patients were selected for this study.
Results:
After 3 years of treatment, we observed the development of dyslipidaemia by increases in TG (17%), TC (29%) and LDLc (9%), particularly in patients treated with a combination of drugs which included protease inhibitors (PI). Moreover, the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) were associated with better lipid profile. The increase of 46% in HDLc was the most surprising finding.
Conclusions:
The results indicate that patients with HAART have a more atherogenic lipidic profile with increased TC, LDLc and TG levels. Since the effectiveness of NNRTI is similar to that of PI, but with a smaller atherogenic profile, it should be the first choice drug to be selected in the HIV treatment.
Related Concept Videos
Retrovirus Life Cycles
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment

