title: A deficiency in dietary gamma-linolenic and/or eicosapentaenoic acids may determine individual susceptibility to AIDS.
abstract: We hypothesize that a relative deficiency in gamma-linolenic and eicosapentaenoic acids and in their derivatives may contribute to the development of AIDS. These polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be the source of natural endogenous agents against AIDS by preventing the spread of viral infection due to their ability to destroy enveloped viruses, by controlling cancer development either directly due to their cytostatic and cytotoxic effects on cancer cells or indirectly by modulating the immune response and by protecting from genetic damage. Supplementation of these dietary PUFAs in the prevention, and possibly in the treatment of AIDS, is considered.
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D004041:Dietary Fats; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000172:deficiency*; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008042:Linolenic Acids / Q000172:deficiency*; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D005228:Fatty Acids, Essential; D008042:Linolenic Acids; D017965:gamma-Linolenic Acid; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid