Micronutrient status and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
This study surveyed serum concentrations of vitamins, electrolytes, and trace elements in subjects seropositive for HIV-1 by ELISA and confirmatory Western blot. Thirty subjects (26 males, 4 females) were recruited at a hospital clinic. Seventeen were classified as having mild or severe ARC (AIDS-related complex), 7 had AIDS, and 6 were asymptomatic. Eight had experienced weight loss of 10 pounds or more in the past 6 months. Most (93%) were anergic to skin test antigens. Percentages of subjects with below normal plasma concentrations include: zinc-30%, calcium-27%, magnesium-30%, carotenes-31%, total choline-50%, and ascorbate-27%. Eighty-seven percent of the subjects had at least one abnormally low value. Percentages with above normal values include: folate-37% and carnitine-37%. Some subjects with above normal values for plasma vitamins reported self-supplementation, usually with large doses. The results suggest that one or more abnormally low concentrations of the plasma micronutrients studied here are likely to be present in the majority of HIV seropositive patients.
Bogden
J D
JD
Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, New Jersey Medical School, Newark 07103-2757.
Baker
H
H
Frank
O
O
Perez
G
G
Kemp
F
F
Bruening
K
K
Louria
D
D
D000386:AIDS-Related Complex / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001835:Body Weight; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000097:blood*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood*
D004573:Electrolytes; D014131:Trace Elements; D014815:Vitamins