Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0021051 (immunodeficiency)
 71,517 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The objective of this study was to determine whether simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection of macaques could be used as a model system to assess the role of selenium in AIDS. Plasma and serum selenium levels were determined by standard assays in monkeys before and after inoculation of SIV. SIV-infected cells or cells expressing the HIV Tat protein were labeled with 75Se, and protein extracts were prepared and electrophoresed to analyze selenoprotein expression. Total tRNA was isolated from CEMx174 cells infected with SIV or from KK1 cells infected with HIV, and selenocysteine tRNA isoforms were characterized by reverse phase chromatography. SIV-infected monkeys show a decrease in blood selenium levels similar to that observed in AIDS with development of SAIDS. Cells infected with SIV in vitro exhibit reduced selenoprotein levels and an accumulation of small molecular weight selenium compounds relative to uninfected cells. Examination of the selenocysteine tRNA isoforms in HIV-infected KK1 cells or SIV-infected CEMx174 cells reveals an isoform distribution characteristic of selenium-deficient cells. Furthermore, transfection of Jurkat E6 cells with the Tat gene selectively altered selenoprotein synthesis, with GPX4 and Sep15 being the most inhibited and TR1 the most enhanced. Taken together, the data show that monkeys infected with SIV in vivo and cells infected with SIV in vitro will provide appropriate models for investigating the mechanism(s) responsible for reduced selenium levels that accompany the progression of AIDS in HIV disease.
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PMID:Rhesus monkey simian immunodeficiency virus infection as a model for assessing the role of selenium in AIDS. 1247 32

Skeletal muscle disorders manifested by muscle pain, fatigue, proximal weakness, and serum creatine kinase (CK) elevation have been reported in patients with selenium deficiency. The object of this report was to review the conditions in which selenium deficiency is associated with human skeletal muscle disorders and to evaluate the importance of mitochondrial alterations in these disorders. A systematic literature review using the Medline database and Cochrane Library provided 38 relevant articles. The main conditions associated with selenium deficiency fell into three categories: (1) insufficient selenium intake in low soil-selenium areas; (2) parenteral or enteral nutrition, or malabsorption; and (3) chronic conditions associated with oxidative stress, such as chronic alcohol abuse and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In low soil-selenium areas, reversibility of muscle symptoms was similar after selenium supplementation and placebo administration, suggesting a role for other factors in the development of disease. In parenteral or enteral nutrition, or malabsorption, muscle symptoms improved after selenium supplementation in 18 of 19 patients (median delay: 4 weeks). The reason that only a minority of selenium-deficient patients present with skeletal muscle disorders is unclear and is possibly related to cofactors, such as viral infections and drugs. Prospective studies of selenium-deficient myopathies would be useful in critically ill patients, alcohol abusers, and HIV-infected patients.
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PMID:Skeletal muscle disorders associated with selenium deficiency in humans. 1276 76

The results of randomized trials among men and nonpregnant women have confirmed the potential benefits of vitamins B, C, and E supplements on the immune status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. Larger trials are needed to ascertain whether these benefits are sustained and to examine the effect of supplementation on clinical outcomes. Among pregnant women, vitamin A supplements increase the risk of mother-to-child transmission. Supplementation with vitamins B, C, and E during prenatal and breastfeeding periods should be encouraged, in light of the protective effects on adverse pregnancy and child outcomes. In children aged >6 months, vitamin A supplements are beneficial for reducing morbidity and mortality in developing countries, including among HIV-infected children. There are no data on the relationships of other micronutrients and child health. For adults and children, more research is warranted on the role of selenium, zinc, and other trace elements on various measures of health among HIV-infected individuals.
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PMID:Micronutrients and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 disease progression among adults and children. 1294 84

This article reviews current literature on the role of micronutrients in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Deficiencies of micronutrients are common in HIV-infected persons. They occur due to malabsorption, altered metabolism, gut infection, and altered gut barrier function. There is a compelling association of deficiencies of micronutrients in HIV-infection with immune deficiency, rapid disease progression, and mortality. Also, there is increased risk of vertical HIV transmission from mother to child with deficiency of vitamin A, and of neurological impairment with vitamin B12. The last five years have been exciting in micronutrient research, and there is promise that some micronutrients may be key factors in maintaining health in HIV immunodeficiency, and in reducing mortality. Selenium appears important in reducing virulence of HIV and slowing disease progression. Vitamin A supplementation in pregnant women with HIV may reduce maternal mortality and improve birth outcomes. Supplementation in children with HIV may accelerate growth. Carotenoid supplementation is being evaluated. Vitamin B12 may slow HIV immune deficiency disease progression, and reverse neurological compromise. Clinical benefit of supplementation with some micronutrients may be measurable in the presence of pre-existing deficiency. Apart from improved general nutrition, the impact of micronutrient supplements on health and their optimal use in HIV infection is controversial because there are so few controlled clinical trials. Further research is needed to elucidate the role of micronutrient deficiencies on the course of HIV infection, and the preventive and therapeutic role of supplementation in its clinical management. Nevertheless, current knowledge supports the use of routine multivitamin and trace element supplementation as adjuvant to conventional antiretroviral drug treatment as a relatively low-cost intervention.
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PMID:A clinical review of micronutrients in HIV infection. 1294 78

Toxoplasmosis, particularly toxoplasmic encephalitis, has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus typically experience chronic oxidative stress, and concurrent infection with the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii would be expected to further exacerbate this condition. The present study was conducted to determine whether vitamin E and selenium supplementation might be beneficial in a murine model of toxoplasmosis. To investigate the effect of these antioxidants on the severity of parasitic infection. Swiss Webster (SW) or C57Bl/6J mice infected with oocysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii were maintained on diets containing no vitamin E or selenium, no vitamin E and 8 ppm selenium, 400 IU/kg vitamin E plus 8 ppm selenium, or vitamin E and selenium at the levels present in standard rodent chow (16 IU/kg and 0.2 ppm, respectively). The results of the study showed that increased dietary supplementation with vitamin E and selenium resulted in trends toward increased tissue cyst number, tissue pathology, and weight loss during infection. In contrast, both resistant SW and susceptible C57Bl/6J mice fed a deficient diet (complete absence of vitamin E and selenium) showed the lowest mean numbers of tissue cysts and very little evidence of tissue pathology during chronic infection.
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PMID:Prooxidant diet provides protection during murine infection with Toxoplasma gondii. 1462 33

Dominant types of viral hepatitis are presently A, B, and C with prophylactic immunization available only for A and B. Hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection constitute a worldwide scourge and treatment is far from satisfactory. Each produces severe oxidative stress (OS) and secondary cellular damage of varying severity and, as in toxic hepatitis, progression and regression are dependent on redox balance between oxidation and antioxidation. Experimental and clinical studies suggest that xenobiotics and co-infections exert cumulative, detrimental effects on their pathogeneses and further deplete antioxidants. It is proposed therefore that in the clinical management of these infections and especially in their early stages, considerable benefit should accrue from antioxidant repletion at dosages substantially above recommended daily allowances (RDAs) in conjunction with a nutritious high protein diet. Because plasma zinc and selenium concentrations are very low, their replenishment by high dosages is urgent and mandatory particularly in advanced HIV infections bordering on acrodermatitis enteropathica. Also recommended is their long-term continuance at high normal levels.
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PMID:Oxidative stress in viral hepatitis and AIDS. 1535 Dec 35

Selenium is an essential trace element involved in several key metabolic activities via selenoproteins, enzymes that are essential to protect against oxidative damage and to regulate immune function. Selenium also may have other health benefits unrelated to its enzymatic functions. It may provide important health benefits to people whose oxidative stress loads are high, such as those with inflammatory or infectious diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or who are at high risk for cancers, particularly prostate cancer. Some studies have generated compelling evidence that selenium is beneficial, either alone or in conjunction with other micronutrients. Additional data from large clinical trials that provide the highest level of evidence will be key to determining the benefits accrued at various selenium intake levels. When the strength of the evidence becomes sufficient, clinical health professionals will need to use dietary and clinical assessment methods to ensure that people at increased risk for cancer or inflammatory and infectious diseases can be appropriately advised about selenium intake.
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PMID:The relevance of selenium to immunity, cancer, and infectious/inflammatory diseases. 1597 98

The "Long Terminal Repeat" (LTR) of HIV-1 is the target of cellular transcription factors such as NF-kappaB, and serves as the promoter-enhancer for the viral genome when integrated in host DNA. Various LTR-reporter gene constructs have been used for in vitro studies of activators or inhibitors of HIV-1 transcription, e.g., to show that antioxidants such as lipoic acid and selenium inhibit NF-kappaB-dependent HIV-1 LTR activation. One such construct is the pHIVlacZ plasmid, with the HIV-1 LTR driving expression of the lacZ gene (encoding beta-galactosidase, beta-gal). Typically, for inhibitor screening, cells transfected with pHIVlacZ are activated using tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and the colorimetric o-nitrophenol assay is used to assess changes in beta-gal activity. A variant of this assay was developed as described here, in which LTR activation was induced by pro-fs, a novel HIV-1 gene product encoded via a -1 frameshift from the protease gene. Cotransfection of cells with pHIVlacZ along with a pro-fs construct produced a significant increase in beta-gal activity over controls. L-ergothioneine dose dependently inhibited both TNF-alpha-mediated and pro-fs-mediated increases in beta-gal activity, with an IC50 of about 6 mM. Thus antioxidant strategy involving ergothioneine derived from food plants might be of benefit in chronic immunodeficiency diseases.
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PMID:Activity of the dietary antioxidant ergothioneine in a virus gene-based assay for inhibitors of HIV transcription. 1701 72

Nutrition is an important factor that influences immunity, and nutritional deficiencies can impair resistance to infections. Malnutrition is the most common cause of immunodeficiency worldwide. Trace elements such as zinc, selenium, iron, and copper can influence several components of immunity. Primary antibody deficiency disorders are a group of disorders characterized by an unusual susceptibility to infections and malnutrition. Impaired nutritional status has been reported in immunodeficient patients. The aim of this study was to determine anthropometric indices and trace elements status in these patients. Thirty-eight children (28 males, 10 females, aged 2-18 years) with primary antibody deficiency referring to Children's Medical Center of Tehran University of Medical Science were enrolled in this research. Primary immunodeficiency disorders consisting of CVID, XLA, IgA deficiency, IgG subclass deficiency, and hyper IgM were assessed. Anthropometric indices, comprised of height, weight that were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Height-for-age (HAZ), weight-for-height (WHZ) and weight-for-age (WAZ) were determined according to Z-score to study mild, moderate and severe malnutrition. Serum copper, zinc, selenium and iron levels were measured by an atomic absorption spectrometer. The most common disorders were CVID 52.5% and X-linked agammaglobulinaemia 27.5%. Based on BMI measurements 21.1% of patients had malnutrition. According to HAZ, 13.2%, 13.2% and 36.8% had severe, moderate and mild malnutrition, respectively. According to WAZ, 10.5%, 18.4% and 28.6% had severe, moderate and mild malnutrition, respectively. Regarding to WHZ, 14.3% and 28.6% had moderate and mild malnutrition, respectively. Low selenium levels and high copper levels were observed in 37.5% and 70.3%, respectively. Anthropometric data showed that the frequency of malnutrition in these patients was higher than the CDC standard. Low serum selenium levels and high serum copper levels were observed, suggesting further research is needed on these parameters. Most of the patients had serum zinc and iron levels within the normal range. It is recommeded that clinical immunologists and nutritionists should make a collective effort to provide these patients with standard or specialized diets so as to decrease the risk of infection.
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PMID:A study of malnutrition in Iranian patients with primary antibody deficiency. 1730 13

Twenty-five years of experience with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have established that it is relatively difficult to transmit. The chance of medical personnel acquiring this virus by needlestick injury is only 0.3%. Similarly, the odds of an HIV-positive male infecting a female partner during one unprotected sexual encounter is 9 in 10,000. Furthermore, the per-act risk of infection from penal-anal intercourse with an HIV-positive male partner is established at 82 in 10,000. Since those who are not infected by such exposures do not develop antibodies against HIV, there must be an earlier line of defense. The global diffusion pattern of HIV/AIDS is strongly suggestive of a protective role for the trace element selenium. It is hypothesized here that the body's antioxidant defense system, especially the selenoenzyme glutathione peroxidase, acts as an initial defense against viral infection, preceding the formation of antibodies. For this reason, HIV is having its greatest difficulty in infecting those with diets elevated in amino acids and the trace element selenium which, when eaten together, stimulate the body's production of glutathione peroxidase.
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PMID:A role for the antioxidant defense system in preventing the transmission of HIV. 1751 22


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