Assessment of Cardiac Function Parameters of Rats in First and Second Line Fixed Dose of Anti-Retroviral Drugs Versus First Line with Switch to Second Line Combination

Abstract

The use of combined antiretroviral drugs may have a negative consequence on the clinical outcome of HIV-infected individuals resulting in metabolic complications. This study investigated the effect of first and second line fixed-dose combination (FDC) antiretroviral drugs on cardiac parameters in Wistar rats. Thirty-five (35) male Wistar rats (Raths Novegicus) were divided into seven (7) experimental groups (A, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1 and D2). Group A received normal rat pellet and clean water. Group B1 received 17.14 mg/kgbwt/24h of fixed-dose EFV/3TC/TDF as first line regimen for 15 days, while Group B2 received same regimen for 30 days. Group C1 received 6.43 mg/kgbwt/12h of fixed-dose 3TC/ZDVt3.57 mg/kgbwt/12h of LPV/r as second line regimen for fifteen (15) days, while Group C2 received same regimen for 30 days. Group D1 received first line regime for 30 days then switched to second line regimen for 15 days (a total of 45 days), while Group D2 received first line regime for 30 days, then switched to second line regimen for another 30 days (a total of 60 days). First and second line regimens showed significant (P<0.05) increase in serum level of markers of cardiac function in treated groups when compared with the control. From the study findings, First and second line FDC antiretroviral drugs exerted toxic effect on cardiac function in rats; however repeated dose at long term use may be tolerated.