Morrone A, Bartoli F, Travaglino C, Passi S, Ippolito F; International Conference on AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 674 (abstract no. PO-C07-2741).
San Gallicano Dermatological Inst., Rome, Italy.
Plasma levels of Vitamin E (Vit. E), Polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids (PL-PUFA) as well as erythrocyte reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px) were evaluated in 214 migrants (age 17-28 years) just arrived in Rome from sub-saharian African countries, which are at very high risk for serious infective diseases and in 100 healthy age matched controls. HIV-1, siphylis, gonorrhoea, donovanosis and leprosy infection were also evaluated. 176 migrants (82%, A group) had levels of Vit E, GSH, GSH-Px and PL-PUFA significantly lower than controls (p < 0.001-0.005). In contrast the above blood parameters were normal enough in the remaining 38 migrants (18%, B group). In A group, 6 migrants were found to be HIV-1 positive, 4 positive for siphylis, 3 for gonorrhoea, 2 for donovanosis and 2 for leprosy. These results show that factors such as widespread poverty, inadeguate housing, malnutrition, insufficient access to medical care, psychological stress are strictly related to the reduction of blood parameters which are critical for the normal cell function of mammalian cells. PL-PUFA deficiency may cause lesions likely due to faulty cellular membranes, where the initiation of the immune response is known to occur. Vit. E, GSH, GSH Px are considered major protective molecules against lipoperoxidative damage in vivo and are required for optimal immune function. We suggest that low blood levels of Vit. E, GSH, GSH-Px and PL-PUFA may play a pathogenetic role in the onset and development of AIDS and other infective diseases.
Publication Types:
Keywords:
- Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
- Antioxidants
- Case-Control Studies
- Erythrocytes
- Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
- Glutathione
- Glutathione Peroxidase
- Glutathione Reductase
- HIV Seropositivity
- Phospholipids
- Rome
- Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
- Vitamin E
Other ID:
UI: 102206041
From Meeting Abstracts