Ancarani F, Veccia S, Giacometti A, Mocchegiani E, Marcellini M, Scalise G; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1993 Jun 6-11; 9: 493 (abstract no. PO-B28-2150).

Inst. of Infectious Diseases, University of Ancona, Italy.

Seric zinc and active thymic hormone++ ++thymulin (FTS) reduction was shown in advanced HIV infection. We studied the short term effects of oral zinc administration in asymptomatic HIV infected subjects. 25 subjects with CD4 < 500/ml treated with AZT longer than 3 months, were evaluated. 15 of them were randomized to assume 200 mg/die of zinc sulphate per os for 1 month (Group A), the other 10 were considered as controls (Group B). Seric zinc and FTS were evaluated monthly for 3 times before and after randomization. RESULTS: medium seric zinc before randomization was 72.7 mcg/dl (SD +/- 14.5). Group A subjects showed a statistically significative improvement of seric zinc: 89.1 (SD +/- 21) and 88.2 (SD +/- 36.3) mcg/dl 15 and 30 days after therapy respectively. Basal seric FTS had a low saturation: 1/4.5 ratio of active/total thymulin (log -2). After 1 month of zinc therapy there was an improvement of active thymulin to 3 (log -2). Group A subjects showed also an increase of total lymphocytes. CD4 and CD8 cells. All these effects disappeared 1, 2 months after therapy discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: asymptomatic HIV infected subjects with CD4 < 500/ml have low levels of seric zinc and active FTS. Oral administration of 200 mg/die of zinc sulphate improves these parameters, yet below physiologic levels, and mildly increases total lymphocytes and T subpopulations. Our results confirm the immunostimulant effect in T cells of oral zinc administration in HIV infected people. It seems reasonable to propose a zinc therapy for longer periods and in different doses to evaluate middle and long term effects.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• AIDS Vaccines
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• T-Lymphocytes
• Thymic Factor, Circulating
• Zidovudine
• Zinc
• Zinc Compounds
• drug therapy
• therapy

Other ID:

• 93335768

UI: 102205146

From Meeting Abstracts