Changes in Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Blood Cells from HIV-Infected Patients Undergoing Antiretroviral Therapy

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number was measured in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 69 individuals using a real-time NASBA quantitative assay. Patients with HIV infection harbored significantly lower mtDNA copy number in PBMC than HIV-negative controls. Besides, subjects on stavudine-containing regimens showed significantly lower median mtDNA amounts than HIV-positive patients receiving other antiretroviral drugs, and this was associated with higher lactate levels. Thus, either HIV infection itself or treatment with stavudine-containing regimens might induce mtDNA depletion and related metabolic disturbances as hyperlactatemia.