35 research outputs found
HIV-1 Encodes a Sequence Overlappingenv gp41 With Highly Significant Similarity to Selenium-Dependent Glutathione Peroxidases
Elevated IgE in Relationship to Plasma Vitamin E Levels in Early HIV-1 Disease. IXth Intl. Conf. on AIDS
The Dietary Attitudes and Practices of Low-Income African-Americans with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
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Hypocholesterolemia is associated with immune dysfunction in early human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection
Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome exhibit marked disturbances in lipid metabolism. Because altered lipid metabolism may affect immune processes, this study characterized the lipid profile of asymptomatic individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), in relationship to immune function.
Serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were determined in 94 asymptomatic HIV-1-infected (Centers for Disease Control stage II, III) homosexual men and 42 healthy seronegative control subjects. Immune assessment included measurements of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4), immune activation (beta 2-microglobulin), natural killer cell function, and lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed. Dietary intake was determined using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.
Despite greater consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol, significantly lower levels of total, high-density, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in HIV-1-seropositive men, relative to seronegative controls (p < 0.05), with 40% of the HIV-1-infected group demonstrating hypocholesterolemia (less than 150 mg/dL). Low values of total, high-density, and low-density cholesterol were associated with elevated levels of beta 2-microglobulin in HIV-1-seropositive men. No difference between the groups was noted for serum triglycerides. HIV-1-infected subjects did not demonstrate the significant inverse relationship between cholesterol and mitogen response observed in seronegative controls.
These findings indicate that low levels of cholesterol are prevalent during the early stages of HIV-1 infection and associated with specific alterations in immune function, suggesting that hypocholesterolemia may be a useful marker of disease progression
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Association of nutritional abnormalities and immune parameters in HIV-1 seronegative homosexual men
Nutritional parameters and immune function in HIV-1 seronegative, homosexual males (n = 42) were evaluated in order to provide comparison data for investigation of the role of nutrition in HIV-1 infection. Our findings indicate that a high proportion of the homosexual HIV-1 seronegative men (70%) in this study, exhibited at least one nutritional abnormality, with 26% showing multiple aberrations. The majority of men demonstrated inadequate riboflavin status, and low levels of plasma copper. Blood levels of vitamin B sub(6) and zinc were decreased in a smaller proportion of the population. The following interactions between nutrients and immune function in HIV-1 seronegative homosexual males were documented: low plasma zinc was associated with decreased CD4 cell number, mitogen responsiveness and natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity; impaired vitamin B sub(6) status was related to decreased mitogen responsiveness; low plasma copper was associated with a significantly increased CD4 cell number, and individuals with two or more specific nutrient abnormalities had decreased mitogen responsiveness and NK cell cytotoxicity, when compared to HIV-1 seronegative subjects with adequate nutritional status