Clinical and lymphocyte responses to beta-carotene supplementation in 11 HIV-positive patients with chronic oral candidiasis.
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.
Silverman
S
S
Division of Oral Medicine, University of California at San Francisco School of Dentistry.
Kaugars
G E
GE
Gallo
J
J
Thompson
J S
JS
Stites
D P
DP
Riley
W T
WT
Brandt
R B
RB
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
D008055:Lipids; D019207:beta Carotene; D002338:Carotenoids