Selenium and antioxidant enzymes status in HCV/HIV patients supplemented with antioxidant cocktail

Abstract

Background. In Latvia about 100.000 cases have been diagnosed as positive HCV, with up to 30% as HIV positive. Micronutrient deficiencies are common in HIV, both in early and late stages of the disease. Micronutrient deficiencies are common in HIV/AIDS, resulting from both malabsorption and virally-caused depletion. Selenium deficiency has also been documented in both HIV and AIDS patients in both plasma and red blood cells and to correlate with progression and mortality of HIV. Low selenium levels correlate with low glutathione peroxidase activity in HIV and AIDS. Observational studies have linked higher levels of selenium in the blood with higher CD4+ counts and reduced risk of mortality from HIV disease. Objective: To investigate the association, if there will be, between selenium and antioxidant enzymes status in HCV/HIV patients after antioxidants cocktail supplementation. Results: Low plasma selenium levels were found in patients with increased risks of HIV transmission. Similar trend was also shown when antioxidants enzymes were considered in these patients. Conclusion: In the search for modifiable risk factors to improve outcomes among HIV-infected subjects, multivitamin and trace elements have been used as a supplement. Our study shows that the role of micronutrients in HIV disease indicates that selenium deficiency may be considered as a risk factor in HIV. Adequate selenium/or antioxidants status may be beneficial for some but not all outcomes. Further studies are needed to better understand the role of selenium and antioxidants enzymes after supplementation.