Lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis in HIV-seropositive and healthy subjects during long-term ingestion of fruit juices or a fruit-vegetable-concentrate rich in polyphenols and antioxidant vitamins.
OBJECTIVE
We investigated whether ingestion of polyphenols from fruit juices or a fruit-vegetable-concentrate affects lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive (HIV(+)) and HIV-seronegative (HIV(-)) subjects.


METHODS
Randomized, prospective pilot intervention study.


METHODS
University of Bonn, Department of General Internal Medicine.


METHODS
A total of 23 HIV(+) subjects from the HIV outpatient clinic, 18 HIV(-) controls.


METHODS
Subjects ingested either 1 l of fruit juice or 30 ml of fruit-vegetable-concentrate daily for 16 weeks in addition to their regular diet. Lymphocyte proliferation and apoptosis were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells at baseline, during 16-weeks of intervention, and after a 6-week washout. Proliferation was assessed by (3)H-thymidine incorporation and apoptosis by nuclear content as measured by flow cytometry.


RESULTS
Supplementation of fruit juices increased phytohemagglutinin-induced lymphocyte proliferation (mitotic index) in HIV(+) patients from 18+/-16 to 40+/-34 (P=0.004) and in healthy controls from 27+/-16 to 51+/-21 (P=0.016). Apoptosis was not affected in HIV(+) patients, but rose in healthy controls from 9+/-10 to 34+/-11 (apoptotic index; P=0.001). Intervention with concentrate did not significantly alter proliferation and apoptosis in HIV(+) and HIV(-) subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
Even though apoptosis did not change in HIV(+) subjects, ingestion of polyphenol-rich fruit juices might be favorable to HIV(+) patients due to enhanced proliferation, which could restore disturbances in T-cell homeostasis. In healthy controls, increased lymphocyte proliferation during juice consumption was counterbalanced by increased apoptosis.
Winkler
P
P
School of Medicine, Department of Hemostasis and Transfusion Medicine, University of Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany.
Ellinger
S
S
Boetzer
A M
AM
Arendt
B M
BM
Berthold
H K
HK
Rockstroh
J K
JK
Spengler
U
U
Goerlich
R
R
D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017209:Apoptosis; D001628:Beverages / Q000032:analysis; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D005858:Germany; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010636:Phenols / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D059808:Polyphenols; D013995:Time; D014675:Vegetables / Q000737:chemistry*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D059808:Polyphenols; D014815:Vitamins