Open AccessNeuroprotection in HIV-Positive Drug Users: Implications for Antioxidant Therapy
Author(s) -
Gail ShorPosner,
Robert Lecusay,
Guillermo Morales,
Adriana Campa,
Maria José MíguezBurbano
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.162
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1944-7884
pISSN - 1525-4135
DOI - 10.1097/00126334-200210012-00009
Subject(s) - neuroprotection , oxidative stress , neurodegeneration , proinflammatory cytokine , medicine , antioxidant , dementia , pharmacology , disease , neuroscience , inflammation , immunology , biology , biochemistry
Impaired neuroprotection resulting from oxidative stress has been implicated in neurodegeneration in a number of pathologic conditions of the brain, including both subcortical and cortical type dementias. Production of excessive oxidative stress, moreover, can lead to elevated levels of certain proinflammatory cytokines that are considered to be contributing factors to neuronal injury and are evident in HIV-related dementia as well as in other neurodegenerative conditions. Inhibitors of oxidative damage could thus be promising therapeutic agents for preventing progressive nerve cell death and slowing the advance of neurodegenerative disease. The potential of antioxidant therapy to provide neuroprotection is substantiated by studies demonstrating reduced oxidative stress with supplementation and lower risk for cognitive impairment with higher plasma antioxidant levels.