Decreased serum dehydroepiandrosterone is associated with an increased progression of human immunodeficiency virus infection in men with CD4 cell counts of 200-499

Article Abstract:

The adrenal glands are small glands that are located on top of the kidneys. Among other functions, they are responsible for making male and female sex steroids. Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a male steroid (androgen) that is made in the adrenal glands. Although the exact function of DHEA is not known, several studies have reported that DHEA reduces the risk of cancer and death from heart disease. Recent studies have shown that DHEA can inhibit the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, the virus that causes AIDS) from replicating. Other studies have reported the production of DHEA is abnormal in patients infected with HIV. Therefore, a study was performed to determine if blood levels of DHEA are related to the progression of HIV infection. The study included 120 men who tested positive for HIV infection. The progression of the disease was followed over a 24-month period by measuring the number of CD4 cells (a type of cell in the immune system that is destroyed by HIV). As the disease progresses, the number of CD4 cells in the blood tends to decrease as well. During the 24-month study period, the number of CD4 cells decreased dramatically in 108 of the patients. These patients had lower than normal levels of DHEA in their blood. In this study, low blood levels of DHEA predicted the progression of the disease. It is concluded that measuring blood levels of DHEA may be useful in predicting the development of AIDS. Future studies should determine whether treating patients with DHEA can prevent an HIV infection from progressing to full-blown AIDS. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Measurement, Physiological aspects, Development and progression, AIDS (Disease), CD4 lymphocytes, Blood chemical analysis, blood

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An open-label dose-escalation trial of oral dehydroepiandrosterone tolerance and pharmacokinetics in patients with HIV disease

Article Abstract:

A phase I study has shown that dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is well-tolerated by people with HIV infection. DHEA is a steroid that occurs naturally in the body, although its exact biologic function is unknown. It inhibits HIV, and blood levels often decline in people with advanced HIV infection. Twenty-three HIV patients took DHEA for at least 16 weeks. Eight took 750 milligrams (mg) per day, five took 1,500 mg per day and 10 took 2,250 mg per day. None of the patients experienced serious side effects, although they all developed new symptoms that may have been caused by the steroid or the infection itself. CD4+ T cell levels declined less rapidly in the patients taking high doses of DHEA. Blood levels of DHEA were generally five to 10 times higher than they had been at the start of the study. This study does not prove that DHEA is effective in treating HIV infection - only that it is well-tolerated.

Research, Evaluation

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Pharmacoepidemiology of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease

Article Abstract:

The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADR) may be high among individuals in advanced stages of HIV infection. The risk of a ADR may increase with the length of hospitalization and the number of drugs taken. Among 390 hospital patients with HIV infection, 29% had a possible ADR. Of the 173 ADRs, 68% were definitely or probably caused by the suspected drugs. The most common ADRs were a skin rash, nausea, vomiting and blood and kidney toxicity. Seventy percent of the drugs that caused ADRs were antimicrobials used to prevent or treat different types of opportunistic infections. Patients with AIDS or AIDS related complex were more likely to have a ADR than those with asymptomatic HIV infection.

Complications and side effects, Anti-infective agents, Drug therapy, Antiviral agents

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