Arterial stiffness is associated with oxidative stress and endothelial activation among persons with treated HIV in Zambia
Date
2021
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevalence is rising among persons with
HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa. Oxidative stress and endothelial activation, resulting in
reduced vascular compliance, are contributors to CVD risk. However, there is a paucity of
vascular health data in this population.
Objectives: To assess the relationships of oxidative stress and endothelial activation with
vascular stiffness among PLWH.
Method: Fifty-four PLWH on antiretroviral therapy > 5 years and 57 HIV-negative controls, all
aged 18–45 years, were enrolled from the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia. Oxidative
stress was measured by nitrotyrosine, a peroxynitrite biomarker, and endothelial activation by
soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) plasma levels. Vascular compliance was
measured using carotid-radial pulse wave velocity (crPWV) and arterial stiffness index (crASI).
Results: PLWH had higher sICAM-1 levels (median 345 ng/mL) compared to controls
(275 ng/mL, p < 0.01), as well as higher nitrotyrosine levels (297 versus 182 nM; p = 0.02).
Median crPWV was similar between the groups, but PLWH had higher crASI (2.4 versus
2.2 cm/ms; p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, fat mass, and blood pressure, the estimated
effect of a one unit increase in nitrotyrosine on crPWV were twofold higher in the PLWH,
but neither reached significance. In a model pooling all participants, there were significant
differences in the relationship of nitrotyrosine with crPWV and crASI by HIV status.
Conclusion: PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa had significantly greater oxidative stress and
endothelial activation compared to HIV-negative individuals. These factors may contribute
to increased arterial stiffness and higher CVD prevalence in this population.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Oxidative stress, endothelial activation, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, peroxynitrite