β-carotene in HIV infection

Gregg O. Coodley, Heidi D. Nelson, Mark O. Loveless, Cathi Folk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

94 Scopus citations

Abstract

β-Carotene has been reported to have an immunostimulatory effect. Recent studies suggest that β-carotene supplementation can increase CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients. Our double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was designed to test the efficacy of β-carotene in raising CD4 counts in HIV-infected patients. Twenty-one HIV-seropositive patients were randomized to receive either β-carotene. 180 mg/day or placebo for 4 weeks, and then crossed over to receive the alternative treatment for the following 4 weeks. β-Carotene resulted in a statistically significant increase in total WBC count (p = 0.01), % change in CD4 count (p = 0.02), and % change in CD4/CD8 ratios (p = 0.02) compared to placebo. The absolute CD4 count, absolute CD4/CD8 ratio, and total and B-lymphocytes all increased on carotene and fell during placebo, but these differences did not reach statistical significance. No toxicity was observed on either treatment. β-Carotene appears to have an immunostimulatory effect in HIV-infected patients. Further studies are needed to demonstrate whether β-carotene has a role as adjunct therapy in treatment of HIV-infected patients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)270-271
Number of pages2
JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Volume6
Issue number3
StatePublished - Mar 1993

Keywords

  • HIV
  • Immunostimulation
  • T-helper cell
  • Vitamin A
  • β-Carotene

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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