Related Experiment Videos
Selenium and interleukins in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1
M K Baum1, M J Miguez-Burbano, A Campa
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. mbaum@med.miami.edu
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|August 17, 2000
Summary
Selenium is vital for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression. Adequate selenium levels improve T cell function and may enhance resistance to infections, suggesting a role in managing HIV-1 disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
- Virology
Background:
- Decreased selenium levels are observed in individuals with HIV infection and AIDS.
- Selenium deficiency predicts mortality in HIV-1-infected adults and children.
- Selenium is an essential micronutrient impacting immune function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of selenium in HIV disease progression.
- To investigate how selenium affects T cell function and immune responses in HIV.
- To determine if selenium supplementation can modulate inflammatory markers associated with HIV.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on selenium and HIV.
- Analysis of selenium's impact on T cell activation, proliferation, and apoptosis.
- Examination of selenium's effect on cytokine production (IL-2, IL-8, TNF-alpha).
Main Results:
- Selenium deficiency is linked to increased mortality in HIV-1.
- Selenium supplementation improves T cell function and reduces apoptosis in animal models.
- Selenium may modulate Th1/Th2 responses and down-regulate inflammatory cytokines like IL-8 and TNF-alpha.
Conclusions:
- Selenium plays a significant role in managing HIV-1 disease progression.
- Adequate selenium may enhance immune resistance and mitigate HIV-associated complications.
- Selenium supplementation presents a potential therapeutic strategy for HIV-1 infection.