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Hepatitis C (HCV) and antioxidant deficiency in HIV+ drug users in Miami
Author(s) -
Baum Marianna K,
Duan Rui,
Sales Sabrina,
Rafie Carlin,
Carroll Linda Ann,
Campa Adriana
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a145
Subject(s) - medicine , oxidative stress , viral load , hepatitis c , gastroenterology , zinc deficiency (plant disorder) , vitamin c , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , albumin , antioxidant , hepatitis c virus , immunology , chemistry , micronutrient , virus , pathology , biochemistry
Objective Increased oxidative stress is common in HIV and HCV infections, complicated by secondary malnutrition which may heighten oxidative stress. We examined antioxidant status in HIV/HCV co‐infection in HIV+ drug users. Method After consenting 207 HIV+ drug users, demographic, nutritional, medical and treatment questionnaires and anthropometries were completed. Blood was drawn for CD4 cell counts, HIV viral load, serum chemistry and plasma zinc and selenium. Results Of the 207 participants, 37.2% were HCV coinfected,72.5% were males; mean age was 42. In the co‐infected group, as compared to HIV+, mean plasma zinc (0.61±0.13 vs. 0.67 ±0.15 mg/L), and median serum albumin [4.0 (0.4–5.1) vs. 3.9 (2.7–4.8) g/dL, p=0.04)] were significantly lower, while mean values of liver enzymes (AST: 55.3 ±42 vs. 35 ±30 IU/L, p<0.001; ALT: 50.2 ±50 vs. 33 ±44 IU/L, p=0.003; LDH: 209 ±53 vs. 197 ±44 IU/L, p=0.02) were higher, after adjusting for age, gender, CD4 count, viral load and HAART. Lower % of participants with plasma selenium >100 mg/dL, (85.7 vs. 94.4, p=0.056), and lower intake of vitamin E (1.5±2.4 vs. 2.3 ±2.8 mg, p=0.05) and thiamin (1.5±1.3 vs. 1.8 ±1.2 mg, p=0.04) was observed in the co‐infected group. No significant differences were found in BMI, calories, macronutrients and beta‐carotene between the 2 groups. Conclusion HIV/HCV co‐infected persons are in a poorer antioxidant status than those who are HIV+, as suggested by lower plasma zinc and selenium, and lower intake of vitamin E and thiamin. Coinfection is strongly associated with liver dysfunction as shown by lower albumin and higher ALT, AST and LDH. Studies on association of antioxidants and HIV/HCV co‐infection are needed. Funded by NIDA