Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Schaberg, W.
How does HIV affect the vascular responses? Case studies within the framework of the ENDOAfrica project.
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2017. pp.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Goswami Nandu
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Background: Cardiovascular disease and HIV/AIDS have been reported to be leading causes of death worldwide in the last decade. HIV is known to influence and accelerate the progres- sion of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease through multiple pathological pathways. Through the constant improvement of HIV treatment, which now delays the onset of AIDS, the research focus has shifted from the prevention of opportunistic infections to the understanding of mechanisms that contribute to the associated co-morbidity of HIV, especially cardiovascular diseases. Although sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected by HIV/AIDS, only limited research has been done in this region, this is especially the case for research on the effects of HIV on the cardiovascular system. Objectives: Endothelial dysfunction has been found to be an early precursor of cardiovascular diseases. However, the extend in which endothelial dysfunction occurs in patients infected with HIV, especially those living in southern Africa, is currently unknown. Methodology: This diploma thesis analyses two case reports of mixed race South African women, one infected with HIV and one acting as a healthy control. Examined were differences in cardiovascular and endothelial function in the patient and the healthy control. In addition to the traditional cardiovascular risk factors (blood pressure, BMI, serum lipid levels, fasting blood glucose), flow-mediated dilatation was used as a non-invasive measurement of endothelial function. Results: Both subjects had normal blood pressure, BMI and fasting glucose levels. In the HIV infected patient the FMD measurement values were 3% brachial artery dilatation, whereas in the healthy control the values were 12%. The HIV infected test subject displayed low HDL levels, with otherwise normal lipid levels. Serum lipid levels were normal in the healthy control. Discussion: The subject with HIV shows an impaired flow-mediated dilatation response. The low HDL and the poor FMD in the HIV patient suggest that the endothelium of the patient is already injured and that she experiences endothelial dysfunction, whereas the healthy control shows no signs of endothelial injury. These unique results from the sub-Saharan region confirm the previous observation that HIV affects the endothelium through multiple pathological pathways and leads to cardiovascular diseases.