The relationship between zonulin and liver function test in patients with human immune deficiency virus infection

Abstract

Background: The gastrointestinal tract (GIT) plays an integral role in the immunopathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Although, changes in the concentration of serum zonulin, which is a marker of intestinal integrity, has been reported among HIV-positive patients, there is little data available on serum zonulin concentrations in HIV-positive patients on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in Ghana. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in zonulin concentration in HIV patients and to examine the relationship between zonulin and liver function test.
Methods: This case-control study involved 86 HIV-negative participants, 85 treatment-naïve HIV-positive patients and 136 chronic HIV patients on ART. A total of 62 males and 245 females between the ages of 10 to 83 years were included in the study. Approximately 5 ml venous blood sample was collected from each participant into serum separator tubes (SST), and was analysed to determine serum concentrations for zonulin and liver functions.
Results: Serum zonulin concentration was significantly higher in those with primary HIV infection compared to the uninfected controls (p < 0.0001), while those with chronic HIV infection on ART had significantly lower serum zonulin concentration values compared to the primary HIV-infected individuals (p < 0.0001). Furthermore a negative correlation between serum zonulin and gamma-glutamyl transferase concentration values (GGT) (R = -3.13, p < 0.05) as well aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (R= -2.10, p < 0.05) concentration values were seen in this study.
Conclusion: Serum zonulin concentration was significantly increased in primary HIV (PHIV) patients as compared to the negative controls and those with chronic HIV (CHIV) infection.