Zinc fights diarrhoea in HIV-1-infected children: in-vitro evidence to link clinical data and pathophysiological mechanism.
Diarrhoea-related morbidity is reduced by zinc supplementation in HIV-1-infected children. The mechanisms of this effect are largely undefined. We provide evidence for role for Tat (transactivating peptide produced by HIV-1) in the pathogenesis of diarrhoea in AIDS patients. In this study we showed that zinc, preventing Tat-induced fluid secretion, directly limits a specific mechanism of HIV-1-related diarrhoea. Our data support a 'zinc approach' in adjunct to specific antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected children.
Canani
Roberto Berni
RB
Department of Pediatrics, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Ruotolo
Serena
S
Buccigrossi
Vittoria
V
Passariello
Annalisa
A
Porcaro
Francesco
F
Siani
Maria Concetta
MC
Guarino
Alfredo
A
D002648:Child; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015696:Gene Products, tat / Q000378:metabolism; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000821:virology; D007477:Ions; D018977:Micronutrients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015032:Zinc / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
D015696:Gene Products, tat; D007477:Ions; D018977:Micronutrients; D054322:tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus; D015032:Zinc