A preliminary open label dose comparison using an antioxidant regimen to determine the effect on viral load and oxidative stress in men with HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of antioxidant supplementation on viral load and the antioxidant/reactive oxygen species system in people with HIV.


METHODS
Single centre, prospective, dose comparison study.


METHODS
Outpatient clinic specializing in HIV care.


METHODS
Sixty-six participants were sequentially recruited by advertisement, and 48 subjects completed the study.


METHODS
A recommended dose antioxidant regimen (5,450 IU vitamin A as beta-carotene, 250 mg vitamin C, 100 IU vitamin E, 100 microg selenium, 50 mg coenzyme Q10) or a high-dose antioxidant regimen (21,800 IU vitamin A as beta-carotene, 1,000 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E, 200 microg selenium, 200 mg coenzyme Q10) for a 12 week period.


RESULTS
Using repeated measures analysis of variance, the changes over treatment time were significant for selenium, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase and lipid peroxides (P < 0.03). Changes in allantoin, uric acid and viral load were not significant (P > 0.05). The main effects for group and the interaction effects were not significant for any of the parameters measured (P > or = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Antioxidant supplementation significantly improved some measures of oxidative defence. There was no benefit in using a high-dose supplement in this study.
Batterham
M
M
The Albion Street Centre, Randwick, Australia. marijka@uow.edu.au
Gold
J
J
Naidoo
D
D
Lux
O
O
Sadler
S
S
Bridle
S
S
Ewing
M
M
Oliver
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019562:Viral Load
D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species