Abstract
The administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy has been successful at reducing the replication of human immunodeficiency type 1. However these agents are not without substantial complications/adverse effects. Neurocognitive impairments (behavioural, cognitive and motor dysfunctions) continue to be observed among impaired and cognitively normal human immunodeficiency virus positive patients administering highly active antiretroviral therapy. This problem is also exacerbated by the concomitant abuse of alcohol, which has been reported among HIV positive individuals. HIV prevalence is reaching a plateau and alcohol use is linked to poor response to antiretroviral therapy. The role of the concomitant use of ethanol and antiretroviral agents in the neuropathology of hippocampus among HIV positive patients is unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of the co-administration of ethanol and Atripla on neurogenic activity and the morphology of the Sprague Dawley rat hippocampus. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four treatment groups with ten rats each as follows: Group A: is the control group which received distilled water, Group B: Atripla only, Group C: ethanol only, and Group D: both Atripla and ethanol. Following the 90 day treatment, brain tissue was harvested, fixed and processed with 1% crysel violet and giemsa stain. The second, fourth and fifth series were used for Ki 67, DCX immunohistochemistry respectively. Brain derived neurotrophic factor and malondialdehyde (MDA) serum levels were measured for cell proliferation and neuronal proliferation. The brain tissue was microscopically analyzed for morphological changes. Findings revealed neurodegeneration in the dentate gyrus and increased apoptosis associated with decrease in dentate granule cell layer and hippocampal volume. Furthermore, findings from this study show that coadministration of ethanol only or ethanol with combination antiretroviral therapy may lead to changes in hippocampal anatomy and neurogenic activity.
M.Tech. (Biomedical Technology)