Effect of HAART on Zinc Level in HIV Positive Women: A Prospective Cross-sectional Study at a Tertiary Institution in Midwestern part of Nigeria

This study aimed at establishing the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the distribution of zinc in the body of HIV seropositive women in their reproductive ages in both follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycle. Age ranges of 18-40 years (mean 29years) were considered. HIV is a retrovirus which slowly but steadily attacks and destroys vital organs of the immune system and also depletes essential elements including iron and zinc. The study was prospective, cross sectional and targeted for a particular group in a tertiary institution in Midwestern Nigeria. A targeted population of 100 HIV seropositive women of reproductive age group and 50 seronegative women of same age group as control were recruited into the study. They were recruited before the commencement of HAART and monitored for nine months at three months interval after initiation. The parameter that was measured was zinc distribution in both follicular and luteal phases of their menstrual cycles. Mean values and their standard errors of means (SEM) were computed on Microcal Origin 5.0 statistical software. Comparism of means was done using ANOVA and Student t-test. HAART significantly (P<0.05) elevated zinc levels in the first three months of therapy in both phases and later decreased gradually till the ninth month, with higher reductions recorded in the luteal phases at all times. Conclusion: In this group of young reproductive women, HAART led to elevated values of zinc in the first three months (repletion) of therapy with subsequent decrease thereafter and at all stages, lower in the luteal phase than follicular phase showing a tie with the type of sex hormones.