An evaluation of antiretroviral therapy associated with alpha-tocopherol supplementation in HIV-infected patients.

In HIV-infected patients, an increase in the production of oxygen-reactive species (ROS) is observed, with a consequent reduction of plasma levels of antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol. The nuclear transcription factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is activated by a prooxidant state in the infected T cells through the release of its inhibitory subunit I-kappaB. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the behavior of hematological parameters and markers of anemia in HIV-infected patients who underwent antiretroviral therapy associated with 800 mg/day alpha-tocopherol supplementation. Blood samples were collected from supplemented (n=9) and not-supplemented (n=9) HIV-seropositive patients (n=18). We observed a decreased viral load in the alpha-tocopherol-supplemented group (p<0.05); other changes, such as an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio, in the hematocrit and in the hemoglobin concentration were also observed, though lacking statistical significance. We conclude that antiretroviral therapy in association with alpha-tocopherol (800 mg/day) supplementation is more effective in reducing viral load levels and also, possibly, in recovering other hematological parameters after a 60-day period of use.