HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors efavirenz and tenofovir change the growth and differentiation of primary gingival epithelium.

Objectives: An increasing number of HIV-infected patients are combating HIV infection through the use of antiretroviral drugs, including reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Oral complications associated with these drugs are becoming a mounting cause for concern. In our previous studies, both protease inhibitors and reverse transcriptase inhibitors have been shown to change the proliferation and differentiation state of oral tissues.

Effect of the HIV nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor zidovudine on the growth and differentiation of primary gingival epithelium.

Objectives: Oral complications associated with HIV infection and with the antiretroviral drugs used to treat it are of increasing concern in HIV-infected patients. Protease inhibitors have been shown to change the proliferation and differentiation state of oral tissues but the effect of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors is currently unknown. This study examined the effect of zidovudine on the growth and differentiation of the gingival epithelium.

The HIV protease inhibitor lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra) alters the growth, differentiation and proliferation of primary gingival epithelium.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate the effects of the HIV protease inhibitor lopinavir/ritonavir on gingival epithelium growth, integrity and differentiation.

Methods: Organotypic (raft) cultures of gingival keratinocytes were established and treated with a range of lopinavir/ritonavir concentrations. To examine the effect of lopinavir/ritonavir on gingival epithelium growth and stratification, haematoxylin and eosin staining was performed.

Effect of the HIV protease inhibitor amprenavir on the growth and differentiation of primary gingival epithelium.

Background: HIV-positive patients taking antiretroviral drugs, including protease inhibitors, have shown a significant increase in the development of oral complications; these complications are a major health issue for affected patients. The effect of these drugs on oral epithelium growth and differentiation is presently unknown. In this study, we explore for the first time the effect of the HIV protease inhibitor amprenavir on gingival epithelium growth and differentiation.