Blood zinc status and zinc treatment in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.
We investigated the zinc concentration in blood and the effect of zinc supplementation in 11 male outpatients seropositive for human immunodeficiency virus at stage 5 according to the Walter Reed classification. Zinc concentration was measured in serum, platelets, mononuclear and polymorphonuclear cells, and erythrocytes. There was a significant increase in serum zinc concentration after zinc administration, but the zinc level in blood cells remained unchanged. All patients showed a progressive gain in body weight and a slight elevation in levels of CD4+ cells. No adverse side-effects were noticed.
Isa
L
L
Division of Medicine, Gorgonzola-Melzo Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Lucchini
A
A
Lodi
S
S
Giachetti
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D015032:Zinc