Features of whey protein concentrate supplementation in children with rapidly progressive HIV infection.
HIV infection is associated with subnormal GSH levels. An increase in glutathione levels has been observed in HIV-infected adults under oral whey protein supplementation. We studied the features associated with a whey protein concentrate supplementation in children with rapidly progressive AIDS. A prospective double-blind clinical trial was carried out for 4 months with 18 vertically HIV-infected children (1.98-6.37 years), under antiretroviral therapy, who had received whey protein, maltodextrin (placebo) or none. Erythrocyte glutathione concentration, T lymphocyte counts (CD4+ and CD8+) and occurrence of associated co-infections were evaluated. Wilcoxon's and Fischer's Exact tests were used to assess differences between whey protein-supplemented and control (placebo and non-supplemented) groups. A significant median increase of 16.14 mg/dl (p = 0.018) in erythrocyte glutathione levels was observed in the whey protein-supplemented group; the TCD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio showed a non significant increase and lower occurrence of associated co-infections was also observed. In conclusion, whey protein concentrate supplementation can stimulate glutathione synthesis and, possibly, decrease the occurrence of associated co-infections.
Moreno
Y F
YF
Center for Investigation in Pediatrics (CIPED), Pediatrics Department, and Food and Nutrition Department, Food Engineering School, State University of Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Sgarbieri
V C
VC
da Silva
M N
MN
Toro
A A D C
AA
Vilela
M M S
MM
D001938:Brazil; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D018450:Disease Progression; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000151:congenital* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019562:Viral Load; D000067816:Whey Proteins
D008894:Milk Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; D000067816:Whey Proteins; D005978:Glutathione