Plasma zinc, copper, copper:zinc ratio, and survival in a cohort of HIV-1-infected homosexual men

Article Abstract:

A deficiency of zinc can identify HIV patients who are likely to die, according to a study of 121 HIV-infected gay men. Specifically, a deficiency of zinc in relation to copper was the best predictor of death.

HIV patients

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Zidovudine-associated adverse reactions in a longitudinal study of asymptomatic HIV-1-infected homosexual males

Article Abstract:

Drug therapy with zidovudine has been shown to be effective in both prolonging the survival of patients with AIDS and in delaying the progression of HIV disease in mildly symptomatic patients. A number of potentially severe side effects are associated with the use of zidovudine (also known as ZDV and AZT). There is some evidence that ZDV may adversely affect the levels of some nutrients in the body, which in turn could adversely affect immune function. To examine this issue, nutritional, immunological, and hematological data of 37 HIV-1-seropositive, asymptomatic subjects (participating in another study) were analyzed. ZDV therapy had been initiated in 15 of the subjects by their physicians. Test results from these 15 subjects were compared with the results of 22 controls with HIV infection who were selected on the basis of similar CD4 cell counts. Data included blood levels of various nutrients, and were obtained prior to the subjects' receiving ZDV and again after they had taken the drug for 8 to 12 months. Red blood cell count, hemoglobin level, and hematocrit were similar for both groups initially, but declined significantly in subjects who took ZDV. Vitamin levels were initially similar for both groups; the only change that occurred with ZDV treatment was an increase in folate levels. However, ZDV treatment significantly increased the number of subjects with low levels of zinc and copper. CD4/CD8 ratios remained constant in ZDV-treated subjects, but declined in nontreated individuals. Among the ZDV-treated subjects, the response of peripheral blood lymphocytes to mitogens was enhanced in those with adequate zinc levels, but diminished in those with low zinc levels. These results indicate that ZDV treatment can adversely affect some nutritional parameters, and that zinc status may be the most important of these. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Complications and side effects, Physiological aspects, Zidovudine

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High risk of HIV-related mortality is associated with selenium deficiency

Article Abstract:

Selenium deficiency may substantially increase the risk of death from HIV infection. In a group of 125 drug-using HIV patients, those deficient in the mineral were almost 11 times as likely to die during the 3.5-year study.

United States, Statistical Data Included, Nutritional aspects, Selenium in human nutrition, Selenium (Nutrient)

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