Pentoxifylline improves cell-mediated immunity and reduces human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) plasma viremia in asymptomatic HIV-seropositive persons.
The effects of pentoxifylline on immunologic and virologic parameters were evaluated in 10 human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients not receiving antiretroviral treatment. Patients were asymptomatic, had 300-500 CD4 cells/microL, and received pentoxifylline (1200 mg/day orally) for 4 months. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were tested before and at five time points during therapy. A transient increase in CD4 cells was observed in 8 of 9 patients, and CD8 cells increased in 7 of 9 patients. These increases were negatively correlated with susceptibility to in vitro mitogen-stimulated apoptotic cell death. Pentoxifylline had a temporary effect on mitogen-stimulated cytokine production; thus, interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and lymphotoxin increased more than IL-10. Pentoxifylline also potentiated antigen-stimulated IL-2 production and proliferation in 8 of 9 patients and induced significant but transient decreases in plasma viremia in 7 of 9 patients. These preliminary findings suggest that pentoxifylline in vivo has an interesting but temporary influence on both immunologic and virologic parameters.
Clerici
M
M
Cattedra di Immunologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Piconi
S
S
Balotta
C
C
Trabattoni
D
D
Capetti
A
A
Fusi
M L
ML
Ruzzante
S
S
Longhi
R
R
Colombo
M C
MC
Moroni
M
M
Milazzo
F
F
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology; D013997:Time Factors; D014766:Viremia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D016207:Cytokines; D012367:RNA, Viral; D010431:Pentoxifylline