Mantero-Atienza E, Sotomayor MC, Shor-Posner G, Fletcher MA, Beach R, Basit A, Cabrejos C, Baum MK; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1991 Jun 16-21; 7: 329 (abstract no. M.C.3126).

Biopsychological Center for Studies of AIDS, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA

OBJECTIVE: To characterize selenium status during the early stages of HIV-1 infection and determine the impact of selenium status on the immune system. METHODS: Subjects were 70 HIV-1 seropositive homosexual males, (CDC stage III). Plasma selenium levels were determined by a standardized fluorometric method. Immunological assessment included natural killer cell (NK) cytotoxicity, quantitative immunoglobulin determination (IgG, IgM, IgA), lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4, CD8) and lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed (PWM). RESULTS: Alterations in plasma selenium levels were demonstrated in a large proportion of the HIV-1 seropositive subjects. High levels (greater than 120 mcg/L) occurred in 23% (n=16) of the group, and low levels (less than 85 mcg/L) were documented in 11% (n=8) of the men. These alterations appeared to affect some aspects of immune function. Subjects with low levels of selenium showed a significantly reduced NK cytotoxicity (9.6 +/- 4%) compared to individuals with high selenium levels (17.1 +/- 9%, p less than 0.05). HIV-1 infected individuals who had high levels of selenium, however, demonstrated significantly lower levels of IgM (92 +/- 37 mg/dl), relative to those with normal (125 +/- 50 mg/dl, p less than 0.02) or low levels of selenium (138 +/- 46 mg/dl, p less than 0.02). Moreover, IgG titers were significantly reduced (p less than 0.05) in subjects with high selenium levels as compared to subjects from the normal 1715 +/-565 mg/dl) or low selenium level groups (1594 +/- 425 mg/ld). Lymphocyte response to PHA was also lower in the high selenium level group (40,134 +/- 30,908 cpm) and the low-selenium subjects (47,445 +/- 27, 14) as compared to those with adequate selenium status (67,806 +/- 50,346). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that abnormal selenium levels are prevalent during the early stages of HIV-1 infection. The altered (high/low) levels appear to be associated with immune dysregulation indicating that normal selenium levels may be optimal for maintaining immune function.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Communicable Diseases
• HIV Infections
• HIV-1
• Homosexuality, Male
• Humans
• Immunoglobulins
• Lymphocyte Activation
• Male
• Selenium
• immunology

Other ID:

• 1312691

UI: 102183515

From Meeting Abstracts