IOSR Journal of Biotechnology and Biochemistry (IOSR-JBB) ISSN: 2455-264X, Volume 5, Issue 6 (Nov. – Dec. 2019), PP 72-78 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/264X-0506017278 www.iosrjournals.org 72 | Page Effect of treatment switch from first line to second line anti-HIV regimens on cardiac function parameters,lipid profile compositionandbody weightin albino Wistar rats. *Ubokutom E. Akpan 1 ,Oboso E. Etim 1 Enomfon J. Akpan 1 , and Grace E. Akpan 2 . 1 Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria. 2 Department of Physical and Health Education, Faculty of Education, University of Uyo, Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria. Abstract Aim and objectives: Effect of treatment switch from first line to second line anti-HIV regimens oncardiac function parameters, lipid profile composition and body weightin albino Wistar rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: Fifteen (15) male albino Wistar rats weighing between 220g and 250g were divided into three (3) groups (1, 2 A , 2 B ,) with 5 rats in each group. Group 1 which served as control received normal rat pellet and clean water. Group 2 A received first line regimen for 30 days, then switched to second line regimen for 15 days (a total of 45 days) while Group 2 B received first line regimen for 30 days, then switched to second line regimen for another 30 days (a total of 60 days). Results: Significant increase (p<0.05) in activities of serum LDH and CK were observed in both Groups (2 A and 2 B ) when compared with the control. However, LDH activity in Group 2 B was significantly low (p<0.05) compared to Group 2 A . Histological examination of hearts tissue of animals in the control Group showed no pathological lesion. Observed in Groups 2 A and 2 B were cardiac muscle nuclei and fibres with extravasated hemorrhage in the left ventricle.Serum concentration of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol in both Groups (2 A and 2 B ) were not significant when compared with the control. High concentration of serum triacylglycerol (TAG) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL- c) were observed in Group 2 A ,whereas these parameters were insignificant in Group 2 B when compared with control. There was significant increase (p<0.05) in body weight of rats treated for 60 days (Group 2 B ) when compared with Group 2 A and the control Group; however, body weight of rats in Group 2 A was statistically insignificant (p<0.05) compared to control. Conclusion: Treatment switch from first to second line anti-HIV regimens exerts toxic effect on cardiac function parameters and also alters body weight in albino Wistar rats. Keywords: Cardiac Function Parameters, Lipid Profile Composition, Body weight, Anti-HIV regimens and Treatment switch. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 17-12-2019 Date of Acceptance: 31-12-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction The heart is a muscular, fist-sized organ located in the mediastinum – a space between the two lungs. Internally, the heart is essentially hollow. It is divided vertically into two halves by a septum, and each side of the heart has two internal chambers – an atrium on top and a ventricle at the bottom. Venous blood enters the right side of the heart through the right atrium and is pumped by the right ventricle to the lungs, where carbon dioxide is released and oxygen acquired. Oxygen is vital to life as it provides fuel for all the body functions. The main role of the heart is to pump oxygen-rich blood to every cells of the body 27 . Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a general term used to describe medical conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels 40 . Such conditions among others include coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina, myocardial infarction (commonly known as heart attack), high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), heart failure and strokes 31 . Levels of some cardiac biomarkers that are linked to the injury of the heart are measured to detect CVD. These include among others, the enzymes: creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase as well as lipid profile composition. Rise in one or more of these biomarkers are associated with heart injury 16 .A prospective observational cohort study reported an increased incidence of myocardial infarction and angina in HIV-positive patients taking anti-HIV regimens. These findings suggest a combined effect of HIV infection and anti-HIV regimenson overall CVD risk 18 .