REFERENCE: Chenal H, Davit-Spraul A, Brevet JF, et al. Restored antioxidant circulating capacities in AIDS West African patients receiving an antioxidant nutraceutical Cucumis melo extract rich in superoxide dismutase activity (GliSODin®). 2004 [Unpublished]
Abstract: Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) present a variety of pathologic alterations that are related to oxidative stress. Previous studies have reported a reduction in the circulating antioxidant status in these patients associated with a higher production of free radicals. In the present double blind clinical . investigation, the effect of the oral supplementation by a plant superoxide dismutase extract embedded (GliSODin®) or not with gliadin was evaluated in 35 patients with AIDS (< 250/mm3 CD4+ T lymphocytes) that did not received any anti-retroviral therapy. The control group consisted in 30 non HIV-I-infected patients. Compared to the control group, circulating erythrocytes Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SODl) activity and total antioxidant status were significantly (p < 0.01) decreased in AIDS patients and correlated with the increased plasmatic concentration of lh-microglobulin that reflect the activation state of macrophages. Patients receiving the GliSODin® supplementation during 21 days normalized their circulating SODI activity and total antioxidant status and reduced their circulating levels in /32-microglobulin indicating a correlation between the reduction of oxidative stress and the reduction of macrophage activation. Even whether this antioxidant restoration is not associated to an improvement of the immune status or a reduction of viral load this study demonstrate that the GliSODin® supplementation could regulate the activation state of macrophages and down-regulate the oxidative stress caused by the infectious process. In addition, by improving the antioxidant defenses in AIDS patients we prepare them to a better compliance and possibly to efficacy of the anti-retro viral therapy.