Abstract

Comparative study of the effects of three antiretroviral drugs (Lamivudine, Zidovudine, and Nevirapine) on protein and hemoglobin levels of Wistar rat. A total of 65 Wister albino rats were randomly divided into 5 groups labeled A, B, C, D, and E. All experimental groups shared the same environmental conditions. Group A served as the control group and rats were treated with distilled water. Rats groups B, C, D, and E were treated with different doses of Lamivudine, Zidovudine and Nevirapine (0.7, 1.4, 2.1 2.8 mg/kg BW) respectively. The drugs were administered once daily for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 weeks respectively. Blood samples were collected into heparinized sample bottles for analysis. Results obtained revealed significant increases in the mean values of total protein in weeks 3, 4, and 5 of the various treatment groups. Rats treated with Nevirapine at Group B of week 1 were significantly (p<0.05) different from each other. At group E of week 5, Nevirapine was significantly different. For Hemoglobin, Lamivudine has the most significant increase of 16.90±0.35mg/dl at week 5 of group D with a mean control value of 13.90±0.35mg/dl. In group B of week 1, all the drugs were significantly different from one another. Lamivudine was significantly different when compared with the other two drugs at group E of week 5. However, HAART users were found to have significantly (p<0.05) higher serum total protein than non-users. It could, therefore, be conceived that HAART use increases serum total protein metabolism by improving CD⁴⁺ count. It was observed that there was a significant increase in total protein levels in Zidovudine while for Haemoglobin level, Lamivudine was significant.