Linked Life Data

9573019

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/9573019

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
10
pubmed:dateCreated
1998-6-12
pubmed:abstractText
The Fas/Fas ligand system is involved in uncontrolled apoptosis, which ultimately leads to the loss of T lymphocytes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. The signal transduced by Fas receptor involves the activation of an acidic sphingomyelinase, sphingomyelin breakdown, and ceramide production. Our recent reports have shown that L-carnitine inhibits Fas-induced apoptosis and ceramide production both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to study, in a preliminary fashion, the impact of long-term L-carnitine administration on CD4 and CD8 absolute counts, rate, and apoptosis in HIV-1-infected subjects. The generation of cell-associated ceramide and HIV-1 viremia was also investigated. Eleven, asymptomatic, HIV-1-infected subjects, who refused any antiretroviral treatment despite experiencing a progressive decline of CD4 counts, were treated with daily infusions of L-carnitine (6 g) for 4 months. Immunologic and virologic measures and safety were monitored at the start of the treatment and then on days 15, 30, 90, and 150. L-carnitine therapy resulted in an increase of absolute CD4 counts, which was statistically significant on day 90 and 150 (P = . 010 and P = .019, respectively). A positive, not significant trend was also observed even in the change in absolute counts of CD8 lymphocytes. L-carnitine therapy also led to a drop in the frequency of apoptotic CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes. This reduction occurred gradually, but changes in actual values between each time point and baseline were strongly significant (P = .001 at the end of the study compared with the baseline). A strong reduction (P = .001) in cell-associated ceramide levels was found at the end of the study. In general, HIV-1 viremia increased slightly. No toxicity related to L-carnitine therapy was observed and dose reductions were not necessary. In HIV-1-infected subjects, long-term infusions of L-carnitine produced substantial increases in the rate and absolute counts of CD4 and, to a lesser degree, of CD8 lymphocytes. This was paralleled by a reduced frequency of apoptotic cells of both subgroups and a decline in the levels of ceramide. No clinically relevant change of HIV-1 viremia was observed.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
AIM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
May
pubmed:issn
0006-4971
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
91
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
3817-24
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Adult, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Antigens, CD95, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Apoptosis, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Carnitine, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Ceramides, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Fas Ligand Protein, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-HIV Infections, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-HIV-1, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Humans, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Lymphocyte Count, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Male, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Membrane Glycoproteins, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Pilot Projects, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Safety, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Signal Transduction, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Substance Abuse, Intravenous, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Treatment Outcome, pubmed-meshheading:9573019-Viremia
pubmed:year
1998
pubmed:articleTitle
Effect of L-carnitine on human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection-associated apoptosis: a pilot study.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Infectious Diseases, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Clinical Trial