title: Attenuation of immune activation in an open-label clinical trial for HIV-AIDS using a polyherbal formulation.
abstract: To explain a stable clinical outcome observed in a previous pilot clinical trial using a polyherbal formulation (PHF) for HIV-AIDS, we, in the present study, evaluated the T cell functions from fresh and stored blood samples. In three clinical groups-the anti-retroviral therapy, PHF and control arms-we compared the circulating levels of lipopolysaccharide, LPS-binding protein, soluble CD14, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Additionally, we evaluated the expression of T cell markers and gag-specific immune responses. The PHF treatment significantly reduced the levels of sCD14, AST and ALT. In a cross-sectional analysis at 30 months post-treatment, in comparison to the control group, the PHF arm showed significantly low per-cell expression of PD1, CD95 and HLA-DR. The PHF treatment appears to have attenuated general immune activation and hepatic inflammation in the study participants. Targeting the mediators of immune activation must be pursued as a useful strategy for HIV-AIDS management.
authors: HIV-AIDS Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, 560 064 India.
authors: Mangaiarkarasi
authors: M
authors: Asokan
authors: Microbiology and Cell Biology Department, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, 560 012 India.
authors: Vijaya
authors: V
authors: Sachidanandam
authors: Chest and Maternity Centre, Rajaji Nagar, Bangalore, 560 010 India.
authors: Kadappa Shivappa
authors: KS
authors: Satish
authors: HIV-AIDS Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, 560 064 India.
authors: Udaykumar
authors: U
authors: Ranga
keywords: Alternative medicine; Chronic immune activation; HIV; Microbial translocation; Polyherbals