Mitochondrial disturbances in HIV pregnancies

BACKGROUND Mitochondrial consequences from foetal exposure to HIV infection and antiretrovirals could be further investigated. OBJECTIVE The main objective of this study was to evaluate maternofoetal mitochondrial disturbances in HIV infection and antiretroviral administration in human pregnancies as the aetiopathogenic basis of suboptimal perinatal-clinical features. DESIGN Cross-sectional, prospective, observational, exploratory and controlled study. METHODS Clinical/epidemiological data of 35 HIV-infected pregnant women and 17 controls were collected. Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and RNA (mtRNA) content (real time-PCR), enzymatic activities and content (spectrophotometry) were measured in leucocytes. Genetic-functional, maternofoetal and molecular-clinical correlations were assessed. RESULTS Birth weight was lower in infants from HIV-infected mothers compared with controls. MtDNA values were slightly decreased in HIV cases, although not reaching statistical significance. MtRNA values were lower in HIV-infected mothers. Similarly, binary complex II+III enzymatic activity decreased to 50% in both HIV-infected mothers (44.45 ± 3.77%) and their infants (48.79 ± 3.41%) (P = 0.001 and P