An evaluation of antiretroviral therapy associated with alpha-tocopherol supplementation in HIV-infected patients.
In HIV-infected patients, an increase in the production of oxygen-reactive species (ROS) is observed, with a consequent reduction of plasma levels of antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol. The nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is activated by a prooxidant state in the infected T cells through the release of its inhibitory subunit I-kappaB. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the behavior of hematological parameters and markers of anemia in HIV-infected patients who underwent antiretroviral therapy associated with 800 mg/day alpha-tocopherol supplementation. Blood samples were collected from supplemented (n=9) and not-supplemented (n=9) HIV-seropositive patients (n=18). We observed a decreased viral load in the alpha-tocopherol-supplemented group (p<0.05); other changes, such as an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio, in the hematocrit and in the hemoglobin concentration were also observed, though lacking statistical significance. We conclude that antiretroviral therapy in association with alpha-tocopherol (800 mg/day) supplementation is more effective in reducing viral load levels and also, possibly, in recovering other hematological parameters after a 60-day period of use.
Spada
Celso
C
UFSC Clinical Analysis Department, Centro de Ciências de Saúde, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil. celso@ccs.ufsc.br
Treitinger
Aricio
A
Reis
Marcellus
M
Masokawa
Ivete Y
IY
Verdi
Júlio C
JC
Luiz
Magali C
MC
Silveira
Mariete V S
MV
Oliveira
Osvaldo V
OV
Michelon
Cleonice M
CM
Avila-Júnior
Silvio
S
Gil
lone D O
lD
Ostrowsky
Stephanie
S
D000740:Anemia / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D019562:Viral Load; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D006454:Hemoglobins; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol