title: Effect of oral beta-carotene supplementation on plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA levels and CD4+ cell counts in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: We conducted a pilot, open-label study to assess the effect of short-term beta-carotene administration (180 mg/d with meals for 4 weeks) on the plasma human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) RNA levels and CD4+ lymphocyte counts in 21 HIV-infected patients. We found that plasma HIV RNA levels and CD4+ lymphocyte counts did not change following this short course of beta-carotene supplementation. Patients with lower serum concentrations of beta-carotene before supplementation were no more likely to have an increase in their CD4+ lymphocyte count or plasma HIV RNA copy number than were those with higher concentrations. No correlation was found between pre- or postsupplementation beta-carotene or vitamin A concentrations and pre- or postsupplementation CD4+ lymphocyte counts or plasma HIV RNA titers. This study provides no support for beta-carotene supplementation for HIV-infected subjects with normal baseline serum levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center, California 90073, USA.
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Nimmagadda
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Burri
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Neidlinger
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Goetz
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D012367:RNA, Viral; D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A