Those findings come from a small pilot study of 10 patients who had the
HIV-related fat-redistribution syndrome known as lipodystrophy, or continuously
high blood levels of lactic acid. All were on stable treatment with standard
antiretroviral drugs.
The two women and eight men were given supplements of vitamin E (800 IU per
day), vitamin C (1000 milligrams daily), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (600
milligrams twice daily). Dr. Grace McComsey and a team at Case Western Reserve
University in Cleveland, Ohio, report the results in the Journal of Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndromes.
After 24 weeks, body measurements showed no significant change in
circumferences or skinfold thickness, except for a "modest" decrease in
waist-to-hip ratio. Triglycerides and total and HDL ("good") cholesterol did not
change markedly, but there was a trend toward lower LDL ("bad") levels.
"Even with the small study sample size, we were able to show some improvement
of LDL cholesterol and waist-to-hip ratio, both being very promising findings,"
Dr. McComsey told Reuters Health.
However, the patients' metabolism showed worsening resistance to insulin
during the study, and fasting glucose levels increased significantly.
This is "very concerning," McComsey told Reuters Health, "and reminds us that
we should always investigate vitamins/herbals supplements prior to their use in
HIV-infected subjects. We should never assume that high doses of vitamins are
safe. They are not safe until clinical studies prove them to be safe."
SOURCE: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, August 15, 2003.
