Author(s)

Joel da Cunha^1,2*, Luciana Morganti Ferreira Maselli^1,3*, Jovino dos Santos Ferreira^1,4, Celso Spada², Sérgio Paulo Bydlowski^1#

¹Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Hematology (LIM31), University of São Paulo School of Medicine (FMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil.
²Clinical Analysis Department, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil.
³Research Division, Pró-Sangue Hemocentro de São Paulo Foundation, São Paulo, Brazil.
⁴Hemotherapy Service of University Hospital, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Brazil.

Background: Hepcidin is the principal regulator of iron absorption and its tissue distribution. Its correlation with iron homeostasis in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) treated with different regimens of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was investigated. Methods: Serum hepcidin levels were determined in 448 volunteers. Of these, 372 were HIV-1-infected individuals, and 93 did not receive HAART (ART-naïve) while 279 received HAART consisting of a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI-based) and protease inhibitors (PI-based); both were used in association with a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). Seventy-six additional HIV-1 seronegative individuals were enrolled in the study. The following parameters were quantified: hematological parameters, iron biomarkers and markers of infection (CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells), and HIV-1 RNA (viral load). Results: Serum hepcidin, iron and ferritin levels, as well as the marker of infection, CD4+ T-cells, were significantly lower in the ART-naïve group compared with other groups. Additionally, transferrin saturation, iron binding capacity, hemoglobin level and erythrocyte level were not significantly different, and anemia was not observed in the different groups. Conclusions: HIV-1 infection affected serum hepcidin, iron and ferritin levels in the ART-naïve group, and the different HAART regimens restored the levels of hepcidin and iron homeostasis in HIV-1-infected individuals who have undetectable HIV-1 RNA levels.

Hepcidin, Iron Homeostasis, HIV-1, HAART, ART-Naïve, CD4+ T-Cells

Cunha, J. , Maselli, L. , Ferreira, J. , Spada, C. and Bydlowski, S. (2015) The Effects of Treatment on Serum Hepcidin and Iron Homeostasis in HIV-1-Infected In-dividuals. World Journal of AIDS, 5, 151-160. doi: 10.4236/wja.2015.53018.