[Frontiers in Bioscience E4, 2442-2456, June 1, 2012]

The role of micronutrients in the diet of HIV-1-infected individuals

Giuseppe Nunnari1,2, Christian Coco1, Marilia Rita Pinzone1, Piero Pavone3, Massimiliano Berretta4, Michelino Di Rosa5, Matthias Schnell2, Giorgio Calabrese6, Bruno Cacopardo1

1Department of Clinical and Molecular Biomedicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy, 2Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, USA, 3Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria OVE-Policlinico, University of Catania, Catania, Italy, 4Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Aviano, PN, Italy, 5Department of Biomedical Science, University of Catania, Via Androne 83, Catania, Italy, 6Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Via Emilia Parmense 84, Piacenza, Italy

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Oxidative stress, selenium and zinc in HIV infection
3.1. Oxidative stress
3.2 .Selenium
3.3. Zinc
4. Vitamins
4.1. Vitamin D
5. Micronutrients, pregnancy and child growth
6. Conclusions
7. References

1. ABSTRACT

Vitamins, zinc and selenium are important micronutrients that play crucial functions at the cellular and molecular level. Immune response of several different cell types can be modulated by these micronutrients. Deficiency in micronutrients has been extensively reported in HIV-1-infected individuals and further correlated with CD4+ T-cell count, HIV-1 plasma viral load, disease progression and mortality. Supplementation by micronutrients has had controversial effects. Thorough future investigations and trials are certainly needed to strategically plan evidence-based interventions. Here, we review the available data on use of micronutrients during the course of HIV-1 infection.