title: Restoring Cytokine Balance in HIV-Positive Individuals with Low CD4 T Cell Counts.
abstract: HIV infects and destroys CD4+ T cells leading to a compromised immune system. In a double-blinded study, a group of HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ T cell counts below 350 cells/mm3were given either an empty liposomal supplement or a liposomal glutathione (L-GSH) supplement to take over a 3-month period. Baseline measurements in HIV-positive subjects show a significant decrease in levels of interleukin (IL)-12, IL-2, and interferon (IFN)-γ, along with a substantial increase in the levels of IL-6, IL-10, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and free radicals, compared to healthy individuals. Supplementation of HIV-positive subjects with L-GSH for 3 months resulted in a notable increase in the levels of IL-12, IL-2, and IFN-γ, with a concomitant decrease in the levels of IL-6, IL-10, and free radicals, and stabilization in the levels of TGF-β, IL-1, and IL-17, compared to their placebo counterparts. Levels of free radicals in CD4+ T cells stabilized, while GSH levels increased in the treatment group. Those in the placebo group showed no significant difference throughout the study. In summary, supplementation with L-GSH in HIV-infected individuals with CD4+ T cell counts below 350 cells/mm3can help restore redox homeostasis and cytokine balance, therefore aiding the immune system to control opportunistic infections.
authors.affiliation: 1 Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Anddre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valdivia
authors.affiliation: 1 Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.|2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ly
authors.affiliation: 1 Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.|2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: 1 Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.|2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Parveen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.affiliation: 1 Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.|2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Tommy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Saing
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Hicret
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Islamoglu
authors.affiliation: 4 Riverside University Health System , Public Health, Early Intervention/HIV, Riverside, California.|5 Department of Medicine, Loma Linda University School of Medicine , Loma Linda, California.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.affiliation: 6 Western Diabetes Institute, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Cesar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ochoa
authors.affiliation: 1 Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.|2 Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences , Pomona, California.
authors.forename: Vishwanath
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Venketaraman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count / Q000379:methods; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D007378:Interleukins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D007371:Interferon-gamma
keywords: AIDS; HIV; cytokines; glutathione; redox homeostasis