PMID:
Eur J Clin Invest. 2000 Oct ;30(10):905-14. PMID: 11029606
Abstract Title:
Virological and immunological effects of antioxidant treatment in patients with HIV infection.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Intracellular oxidative stress in CD4+ lymphocytes due to disturbed glutathione homeostasis may lead to impaired lymphocyte functions and enhanced HIV replication in patients with HIV infection, especially in those with advanced immunodeficiency. The aim of the present study was to assess whether short-term, high-dose antioxidant treatment might have effects on immunological and virological parameters in patients with HIV infection.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this pilot study, we examined virological and immunological effects of antioxidant combination treatment for 6 days with high doses of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and vitamin C in 8 patients with HIV infection. The following were assayed before, during and after antioxidant treatment: HIV RNA plasma levels; numbers of CD4+, CD8+, and CD14+ leukocytes in blood; plasma thiols; intracellular glutathione redox status in CD4+ lymphocytes and CD14+ monocytes; lymphocyte proliferation; lymphocyte apoptosis and plasma levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)alpha; soluble TNF receptors and neopterin in plasma.RESULTS: No significant changes in HIV RNA plasma levels or CD4+ lymphocyte counts in blood were noted during antioxidant treatment in the patient group. However, in the 5 patients with the most advanced immunodeficiency (CD4+ lymphocyte counts
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