Abstract:
Problem Statement: The side effects of antiretroviral drugs are prevalent, but the
effects of antiretroviral on cardiovascular diseases have not been documented. Limited data
is available on the effects of antiretroviral on cardiovascular diseases. Study Population:
This study was conducted on wistar rats subjected to antiretroviral treatment. Objectives:
To evaluate the effect of administration of antiretroviral drugs on cardiovascular diseases in
Rattus norvegicus, western Kenya. Methodology: This was a randomized controlled
experimental study. 72 wistar rats will were randomly assigned into 5 groups of 10 rats
each. Each group was subjected to a specific treatment. The rats were distributed in six
groups namely C1, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C6. Each group had twelve (12) samples under
observation. C1 there is no treatment undertaken i.e. ARVs were not administered, while
the other five groups had different ARVs or combinations of ARVs administered. Different
types of ARVs were applied and record taken on HBA1C percentage, Insulin levels, HB
levels and hsCRP. Results: The association between variables was investigated using
Pearson product moment correlation coefficient. The results revealed that all variables were
positively correlated. There was a moderate positive correlation between HBA1C and
Insulin (r = 0.392, p < .001). Small relationship existed between HB and insulin (r = 0.166,
p < .001), and HBA1C and HB (r = 0.173, p < .001). There was low risk of hsCRP
(<0.50mg/L) in all the samples. Conclusion: The administration of antiretroviral drugs in
wistar rats has low risk of hsCRP.
