Glutathione Deficiency Predicts Poor Survival In HIV Subjects

Glutathione (GSH) deficiency in patients with HIV infection is a strong predictor of poor survival,according to a report published in today's issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Stanford University researchers have also discovered that, when used in combination with CD4 cell counts, Glutathione levels can provide a more accurate means of tracking the progression of HIV disease.

Dr. Leonard A. Herzenberg and colleagues in Stanford, California, report the results of in vitro studies in which they evaluated blood samples from 204 HIV-positive patients. They found subjects with Glutathione deficiency had a markedly decreased survival 2-3 years after baseline data collectionwhen compared with subjects without Glutathione deficiency.

Patients with CD4 T cell counts below 200 per microliter also had lower Glutathione levels compared with subjects in earlier stages of HIV infection.

According to Dr. Herzenberg, this study shows for the first time that people with HIV who have lower Glutathione levels have a much lower probability of surviving over the course of three years than do people with normal Glutathione levels. He has presented preliminary reports of these findings at recent meetings.

Dr. Herzenberg also found that Glutathione levels were replenished following oral administration of the glutathione, which suggests a potential intervention to relieve this impairment. If these findings can be replicated, Dr. Herzenberg writes, "...they will provide the foundation for the use of N-acetylcysteine as an inexpensive, nontoxic adjunct therapy for HIV/AIDS, potentially valuable even in remote locations where only minimal medical supervision is available."

Dr. Herzenberg's group believes that HIV-positive subjects should avoid excessive exposure to UV irradiation, alcohol and drugs, such as acetaminophen, which are known to deplete Glutathione levels. And, based on these findings, Dr. Herzenberg and others have asked the FDA to require drug companies to include labeling on products known to deplete Glutathione because of the potential hazard to HIV-positive patient.

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Glutathione and HIV

Studies have shown that reduced levels of Glutathione and its precursor cysteine play a role in HIV’s progression to AIDS.

In one study, researchers analyzed blood samples from healthy volunteers and HIV positive patients undergoing different antiretroviral regimens.

The study authors then determined the viral load in the HIV patients and levels of cysteine and Glutathione. The results indicated that a decrease in Glutathione and cysteine levels was associated with disease progress.

In fact, the greater the viral load, the lower the level of Glutathione and cysteine. Glutathione also can protect against the free radical damage that occurs as the result of standard treatments used in AIDS patients. By Kimberly Pryor

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