Status of selected nutrients and progression of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 infection.
BACKGROUND
Immune function is highly dependent on nutritional status because the large mass and high rate of cellular turnover of the immune system make it a major user of nutrients. Furthermore, nutrient requirements may be increased during acute and chronic infections, including HIV-1 infection.


OBJECTIVE
The current study was designed to assess relations among HIV-1 progression and 11 nutritional and demographic variables.


METHODS
The participants were 106 HIV-infected outpatients and 29 uninfected control subjects (n = 89 men and 46 women; age range: 35-57 y). The HIV-infected subjects represented a broad range of disease progression.


RESULTS
We found lower concentrations of plasma and erythrocyte magnesium and of erythrocyte reduced glutathione beginning early in the course of HIV-1 infection. Significantly decreased hematocrit and increased serum copper concentration developed only late in the course of the disease. Statistically significant univariate associations were found between the CD4(+) T lymphocyte count and hematocrit, plasma magnesium concentration, and plasma zinc concentration. The lowest erythrocyte magnesium concentrations occurred in HIV-infected subjects who consumed alcoholic beverages. Independent variables that were significant joint predictors of CD4(+) cell count in multiple regression analyses were hematocrit and plasma free choline and zinc concentrations. These 3 factors together explained 43% of the variability in CD4(+) cell counts.


CONCLUSIONS
The results provide evidence that compromised nutritional and antioxidant status begin early in the course of HIV-1 infection and may contribute to disease progression.
Bogden
J D
JD
Department of Preventive Medicine and Community Health, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School, Newark. bogden@umdnj.edu
Kemp
F W
FW
Han
S
S
Li
W
W
Bruening
K
K
Denny
T
T
Oleske
J M
JM
Lloyd
J
J
Baker
H
H
Perez
G
G
Kloser
P
P
Skurnick
J
J
Louria
D B
DB
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009747:Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D012016:Reference Values
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents