ABSTRACT
In recent years a considerable amount of information on the spectrum of clinical consequences of HIV infection has been accumulated. The most striking characteristics of this disease include severe malnutrition and wasting syndrome. 1–3 Such malnutrition involves both changes in overall body composition as well as deficiencies of specific nutrients. Since, as yet, there is only available palliative antiviral chemotherapy, alternative interventions are sought in order to prevent or alter the course and / or the progression of the disease. It has been shown that the course of infection is influenced by different factors including genetic susceptibility, age, environmental conditions, opportunistic infections, biological properties of HIV itself, therapy, metabolic changes, and nutritional status. 4–7 Among these latter, there is considerable evidence to suggest important links between trace minerals, oxidative stress, and HIV infection. 8 Indeed, alterations in trace element metabolism and increased oxidative stress associated with inadequate antioxidant capacities have been observed in HIV-infected subjects. As they constitute some of the factors which may influence immunological functions, viral replication, carcinogenesis, development of cardiomyopathy, and resistance to infections, they are, therefore, of considerable interest. Although the role of trace elements and free radicals in clinical manifestations of the disease is only partially elucidated, different observations have focused on their potential effects on the morbidity and mortality of the retrovirus infection. These substances represent a growing area of investigation in HIV infection. This review summarizes the current knowledge on trace element status and oxidative stress in HIV infection, their potential implication on pathogenesis and disease progression as well as the effects of various supplementations.
