Treatment with Antiviral Drugs Will Significantly Inhibit the HIV-1 RNA POL Gene Expression and Viral Load in AIDS Patients

Abstract

Objective: This study is to investigate the difference in HIV-1 RNA pol gene expression in AIDS patients before and after antiviral treatment and its effect on the expression level of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells in peripheral blood.

Methods: The participants included 200 AIDS patients who had undergone antiviral medication, and the quantity of HIV-1 RNA pol gene was determined using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). The levels of CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in peripheral blood were measured by flow cytometry before and after therapy. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve was used to assess the impact of HIV-1 RNA pol gene expression and the CD4+/CD8+ ratio on the prognosis of AIDS patients.

Results: After three months of therapy, the levels of HIV-1 RNA and viral load in the patients showed a drastic decline, while the levels of CD4+/CD8+ were markedly elevated (P < 0.05). Logistic analysis revealed that patients' viral loads were positively correlated with HIV-1 RNA and negatively correlated with CD4+/CD8+ (P < 0.05). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), white blood cell (WBC) count, Serum creatinine (Cr), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and platelet (PLT) levels significantly increased following a 24-month therapy, while no significant changes were observed in the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), red blood cell (RBC), and neutrophil (NEU) (%). (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: Antiviral drugs significantly inhibit the HIV-1 RNA POL gene expression and viral load in AIDS patients but upregulate the expression level of CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cells in peripheral blood.

Figure 1

Comparison of therapeutic effects before and after antiviral treatment. (a) Comparison of HIV-1 RNA pol gene expression of 200 patients before and after treatment, ^∗∗P < 0.001. Antiviral treatment might effectively limit the HIV-1 RNA pol gene expression in AIDS patients. (b) Comparison of peripheral CD4⁺/CD8⁺ T cell of 200 patients before and after treatment, ^∗∗P < 0.001 Antiviral medication can successfully activate the immune system and boost AIDS patients' immunity. (c) Comparison of viral load of 200 patients before and after treatment, ^∗∗P < 0.001. Antiviral therapy may successfully manage the quantity of HIV virus.

Figure 2

Correlation analysis between viral load and HIV-1 RNA or CD4⁺/CD8⁺. (a) Viral load was positively related with HIV-1 RNA, r = 0.634, P = 0.006. (b) Viral load was negatively related with CD4⁺/CD8⁺, r = −0.652, P = 0.003.

Figure 3

Biochemical indicators of 200 patients before and after antiviral treatment. (a) ALT; (b) AST; (c) WBC; (d) Cr; (e) RBC; (f) NEU; (g) TC; (h) TG; (i) PLT; ^∗∗P < 0.001. Antiviral medication may impair hepatic and renal function in AIDS patients, as well as reduce plasma lipid levels.