title: [Free radicals and HIV infection].
abstract: In HIV infected patients, the increase of the concentration of free radicals is related to: a depletion of protective system (glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, vitamin E, selenium ...), and an increased production of free radicals (superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxil radical) consecutive to the activation of lymphocytes and phagocyting cells, the chronic inflammation, the increased polyinsatured fatty acids concentration and lipoperoxidation, and direct or indirect effect of several pathologic agents including Mycoplasma sp. This free radical excess could impair cell membranes and generate apoptosis, the main cause of lymphocytes CD4+ depletion. After a brief review of the free radicals synthesis pathway, their potential deleterious effects and the protective systems, the role of free radicals in the pathogenesis of HIV infection are discussed in regard to data reported in the literature.
authors.affiliation: Service de maladies infectieuses et tropicales, CHU de Nancy, Hôpitaux de Brabois, Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rabaud
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tronel
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fremont
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: May
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canton
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Nicolas
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000975:Antioxidants; D017209:Apoptosis; D005609:Free Radicals; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
vernacular_title: Radicaux libres et infection par le VIH.