[Micronutrients in HIV-infection and the relationship with the inflammatory response].
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to measure the plasma concentrations of various vitamins and micronutrients involved in the immune response and antioxidant systems of an HIV+ population and to determine how they are related to the inflammatory response.


METHODS
We studied 86 subjects with known HIV-infection who were divided into three groups (asymptomatic HIV+; AIDS without opportunistic infection; and AIDS with active opportunistic infection) which were compared with a control group. Serum concentrations of vitamin A, vitamin E, copper and zinc were measured, as well as several inflammatory parameters. Absorption tests for fat and sugar were performed in all patients.


RESULTS
Serum vitamin A and E levels were below the reference range in 36.4% and 14.3% patients, respectively, but not in controls subjects. The prevalence of vitamin A deficiency increased with the severity of the disease. Fewer patients than controls had values below the reference range regarding serum copper. AIDS patients with active opportunistic infection showed significantly lower serum concentrations of vitamin A (p < 0.001) and significantly higher serum concentrations of copper (p < 0.0001). Both serum concentrations of vitamin A and copper were correlated with various inflammatory parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Micronutrient deficiencies are prevalent in HIV-infected patients including asymptomatic patients. Vitamin A and copper were significantly correlated with inflammatory parameters, suggesting that their serum concentrations have more to do with the inflammatory response than with the nutritional status.
Jiménez-Expósito
María Jesús
MJ
Unidad de Nutrición Humana. Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud. Universitat Rovira y Virgili. Reus. Tarragona. Spain.
Bulló Bonet
Mònica
M
Alonso-Villaverde
Carlos
C
Serrano
Pilar
P
García-Lorda
Pilar
P
García-Luna
Pedro Pablo
PP
Masana
Lluís
L
Salas-Salvadó
Jordi
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc