title: Clinical and lymphocyte responses to beta-carotene supplementation in 11 HIV-positive patients with chronic oral candidiasis.
abstract: Eleven HIV-positive patients with chronic oral candidiasis were supplemented with 60 to 120 mg of beta-carotene daily for 3 to 7 months. Lymphocyte profiles were evaluated at intervals to help assess immune competence. Although there was a modest increase in some lymphocyte values at 2 months, there was a significant decrease in numbers of CD4 and CD8 cells and CD4 percentage of lymphocytes after 6 months of beta-carotene supplementation. Serum triglyceride and liver enzyme levels were not affected by the beta-carotene supplementation. No improvement was observed in the control of the oral candidiasis. Under the conditions of the study, there was no indication that daily beta-carotene supplements enhanced immune competence or was of benefit in managing oral candidiasis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Oral Medicine, University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Silverman
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Kaugars
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gallo
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: D P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Stites
authors.forename: W T
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Riley
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Brandt
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D002180:Candidiasis, Oral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D018655:Lymphocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019207:beta Carotene
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids