Hepatic histomorphological changes following highly active antiretroviral therapy and the intervention of hypoxis hemerocallidea in an experimental animal model.

Master of Medical Sciences in Anatomy. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Medical School 2015.Introduction Hepatotoxicity has remained a serious complication limiting the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen. While this challenge continues to exist, finding possible solutions continues to attract scientific solutions. Materials and Method: Sixty- three adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study and were divided into 9 groups (A-I). Group A received HAART cocktail (Lamivudine, Stavudine & Nevirapine), Group B received HAART and H. hemerocallidea extract (100 mg/kgbw), Group C received HAART and H. hemerocallidea extract (200 mg/kgbw), Group D received HAART and vitamin C, Group E received HAART and vitamin E, Group F received HAART, vitamin C and vitamin E, Group G received H. hemerocallidea extract (100 mg/kgbw), Group H received H. hemerocallidea extract (200 mg/kgbw), and Group I received water as placebo. The experiment lasted for 56 days after which, the animals were sacrificed, the liver were harvested and prepared for histological examination and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture and centrifuged to get the serum for biochemical assessment. Results While no mortality was reported, animals treated with adjuvant HAART and AP recorded least %body weight gain. Significant derangements in serum lipid profiles were exacerbated by treatment of with AP as LDL (increased p<0.03), TG (increased p<0.03) with no change in total cholesterol levels. Adjuvant AP with HAART recorded reduced LDL (p<0.05 and 0.03), increased HDL (p<0.05) and TG (p<0.05 and 0.001). Markers of liver injury assayed showed significant increase (p