Summary This study investigated the effects of the drug iloprost and vitamin C after ischemia-reperfusion (tissue damage caused by the restoration of blood supply to the tissue), which is an important cause of liver damage. The experiments were performed with 34 rats. The researchers discovered that both iloprost and vitamin C decreased kidney damage after…
Summary FK506 is a drug used to fight rejection after organ transplantation. This study examined the protective effect of green tea compounds (polyphenols) against FK506-induced kidney damage. The experiments were performed with cells. The results showed that tea polyphenols exerted a strong protection against FK506-induced cell death. Further details can be found in the study.…
Summary The present study was performed to investigate whether the chronic administration of antioxidant vitamin C provided protection against kidney damage induced by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin. This study was performed with rats. The results suggested that the chronic administration of vitamin C can be beneficial against cisplatin-induced kidney damage. Further details can be found…
Summary Arginine is the precursor for nitric oxide, a compound involved in many vascular functions such as dilation of the endothelium (inner lining of blood vessels). This review collected scientific studies to evaluate the relationship between blood levels of arginine, inflammation and cardiovascular disease. The results showed that reduced blood levels of arginine and increased…
Summary This study investigated the effects of a natural tetrapeptide (a molecule consisting of 4 amino acids), Ac-SDKP, on kidney damage. This study was performed in mice with diabetes. The results suggested that Ac-SDKP ameliorates kidney insufficiency and kidney damage. Further details can be found in the study. References Kazuyuki Shibuya, Keizo Kanasaki, Motohide Isono, Haruhisa Sato, Mitsugu Omata, Toshiro…
Summary This study investigated the association between blood levels of the antioxidant lycopene, painkillers use and the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Blood levels of antioxidants were measured in 201 patients with CKD and in 313 persons without the disease. The results showed that higher blood levels of lycopene were associated with lower risk…
Summary This study investigated the relationship between oxidative stress (damage caused by free radicals) and chronic kidney failure in patients undergoing dialysis (process of blood purification in patients with kidney failure). Blood levels of vitamin C were measured before and after vitamin C administration. It was found that vitamin C supplementation had beneficial effects in…
Summary Dialysis is the process of blood purification used to treat kidney failure. Research has shown that requirements for vitamin C are increased in patients undergoing dialysis. In this study, 45 dialysis patients were tested for vitamin C insufficiency and deficiency. The results showed that vitamin C deficiency is a common finding in dialysis patients.…
Summary This study investigated whether epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound, can be protective against kidney stones. The experiments were performed with cells and rats. The results showed that EGCG inhibited kidney stone formation. Further details can be found in the study. References Byong Chang Jeong, Bong Sub Kim, Jung In Kim, Hyeon Hoe Kim Link…
Summary This study investigated the protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea extract, on kidneys when treated with the drug cyclosporine (CsA). The study was carried out with rodents. The authors found that EGCG treatment significantly protected kidney function. Furthermore, the plant compound was effective against CsA-induced oxidative stress (imbalance between the production…
Summary This study investigated the relationship between dietary zinc supplementation and the development of IgA nephropathy, a disease of the kidney. The study was conducted with 7-week-old IgA nephropathy-prone mice with low, normal or high zinc levels. The results showed that zinc deficiency was associated with kidney disease progression. Moreover, zinc supplementation was found to…
Summary This study was carried out to investigate whether a micronutrient mixture, containing lysine, proline, vitamin C, N-acetylcysteine, green tea extract and other micronutrients, had protective effects on paracetamol-induced damage to the liver and kidneys. Four groups of mice (A, B, C, and D) were investigated. Groups A and C were fed a regular diet…
Summary This study evaluated blood levels of vitamin B12 in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 11 patients with AIDS and vitamin B12 malabsorption (poor intestinal absorption of vitamin B12) were investigated. In addition, 15% of 121 patients with AIDS and 7% of 27 patients without AIDS who were HIV-positive had low vitamin B12 levels.…
Summary This study assessed blood levels of vitamin B12 in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. Blood levels of vitamin B12 were evaluated in 60 patients with HIV infection. The results showed that low blood levels of vitamin B12 are often found in HIV-infected patients. More details can be found in the study. References A F…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of vitamin A supplementation in children born to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women. 118 offspring of HIV-infected women were included in this investigation. The results showed that vitamin A supplementation for children of HIV-infected women appeared to be beneficial, particularly for diarrhea among HIV-infected children. More details can be…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of vitamin A on the gut function of infants of HIV-infected mothers. 238 infants of HIV-infected women who were administered vitamin A during pregnancy were included. When infants were 1, 6 and 14 weeks of age intestinal function tests were performed. The results showed that vitamin A supplementation of…
Summary This study determined blood levels of vitamin A and beta-carotene in pregnant women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Blood concentrations of vitamin A and beta-carotene were measured in 74 pregnant women tested positive for HIV and in 148 pregnant women without HIV in the first trimester. Comparisons were made among the two groups.…
Summary Decreased blood levels of vitamin B12 often occur in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and can contribute to nervous system disorders that are frequently attributed to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study evaluated the effect of vitamin B12 administration in a patient with AIDS and dementia. As it turned out, treatment…
Summary Growth failure is common in children infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study evaluated the relationship among growth, death rate and nutrition. Blood levels of vitamin A, carotenoids and vitamin E were investigated in 194 HIV-infected infants. The results showed that vitamin A and low blood levels of carotenoids were associated with decreased…
Summary This study assessed the correlation between micronutrient intakes and immune system function in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients. CD4 cells were counted in 119 patients. CD4 cells are white blood cells that boost the immune system. Their number is reduced in HIV-infected patients. The results showed that higher intakes of vitamin A and D…
Summary This study determined the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), one of the components of green tea, on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. HIV-infected cells were treated with EGCG. The results showed that EGCG strongly inhibited the replication of the virus. More details can be found in the study. References Gianfranco Fassina, Anna Buffa, Roberto Benelli, Oliviero E Varnier, Douglas…
Summary This review collected scientific studies on the efficacy of micronutrients against HIV. The results were as follows: N-acetylcysteine and alpha-lipoic acid interrupted the virus activation, glutamine improved glutathione (antioxidant) levels and carnitine was effective in the (nutritional) treatment of HIV. More details can be found in the publication. References L Patrick Link to…
Summary People infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) suffer from inflammation and depleted glutathione (antioxidant) levels. Inflammation itself can lead to decreased levels of glutathione. This study evaluated the ability of N-acetylcysteine to interfere with these mechanisms. The results showed that N-acetylcysteine was able to inhibit inflammation and replenish depleted glutathione levels. The researchers suggested…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between blood levels of nutrients and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) progression. Proteins, zinc, iron and vitamins B1, B2, B6, B12, A, E, C and folate were measured in the blood of 108 HIV-positive men. The results showed that micronutrient deficiencies were associated with HIV progression. Further details can be…
Summary This study investigated the effect of vitamin C on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The experiments were performed with cells. The results showed that vitamin C inhibits HIV by interfering with specific enzymes that allow the virus to spread. Further details can be found in the study. References S Harakeh, A Niedzwiecki, R J Jariwalla Link…
Summary Studies show that around 10-40% of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) positive women will give birth to children who are also infected. This study evaluated the vitamin A status in pregnant women as a risk factor for mother-to-child transmission of HIV. Blood levels of vitamin A were measured in 338 HIV-positive mothers. In 74 mothers…
Summary Conventional drugs used to treat human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) infection can increase the activation of the virus. This review analyzed studies on the effect of the natural amino acid arginine in fighting AIDS/HIV infection. The results showed that arginine did not increase HIV activation. The researchers concluded that these observations, together…
Summary This study evaluated the effect of vitamin A deficiency in mothers infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 474 HIV-infected mothers and their infants were followed from pregnancy through the infants’ 12th month of life. Of the 474 HIV-infected pregnant women, 63% were deficient in vitamin A. The mothers were divided into six groups according…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of vitamin C uptake on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The experiments were performed with HIV-infected and uninfected cells. The results showed that exposure to high concentrations of vitamin C decreased the growth (proliferation) and survival of the HIV-infected cells. Further details can be found in the study. References C…
Summary This study evaluated the effectiveness of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound, against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The experiments confirmed that EGCG is effective in inhibiting CD4-gp120 binding, which is the initial step of HIV entry into the cells. In the first stage of infection HIV attacks CD4 cells that normally support…
Summary This study evaluated the effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a green tea compound, on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In the first stage of infection HIV attacks CD4 cells that normally support the immune system function. The interaction between HIV and CD4 cells is made possible by the so called gp120 molecule that is…
Summary Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients suffer from oxidative stress, which is characterized by an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract their harmful effects. This study assessed the effect of an antioxidant vitamin supplementation on HIV-infected persons. 49 HIV-positive patients were given either vitamin E and…
Summary This study examined the effects of multivitamin and vitamin A supplements on the body weight of immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected pregnant women. 1075 pregnant, HIV-positive women were given multivitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, and vitamins B-6, B-12, C, and E), vitamin A, multivitamins including vitamin A, or no supplementation on a daily basis. Weight…
Summary This study investigated whether a specific micronutrient supplementation is effective and safe in delaying the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. 878 HIV-infected adults were investigated. Over the period of 2 years, the study participants took a single supplement containing multivitamins and selenium. The supplement was found to be effective in reducing the…
Summary This study investigated the effects of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and its calcium salt (Ca-ascorbate), glutathione (GSH) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The experiments were performed with cells. The results showed that continuous presence of vitamin C was necessary for HIV suppression. Furthermore, NAC conferred a synergistic effect when tested simultaneously…
Summary This study evaluated the blood levels of vitamin B12 in HIV patients who were treated with the anti-viral drug zidovudine. 200 HIV-infected persons were investigated. The results showed that decreased vitamin B12 levels were frequently found in HIV patients treated with the anti-viral therapy. Further details can be found in the study. References O…
Summary Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a pro-inflammatory factor whose levels are elevated in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study evaluated the effect of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on virus activation following treatment with inflammatory factors. The experiments were performed with cells. The results showed that vitamin C reduced…
Summary It has been reported that vitamin B12 deficiency is common among patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Based on this observation, the present scientific publication focused on the relationship between vitamin B12 deficiency and nervous system disorders in HIV-infected patients. The authors found that vitamin B12 deficiency may be a frequent and…
Summary This study determined whether vitamin A supplements reduce the number of deaths among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and uninfected children. 687 children with pneumonia were given vitamin A or a placebo. Their blood was then tested for HIV. Among HIV-infected children, vitamin A supplements reduced deaths – regardless of their cause – by 63%.Among…
Summary This study examined the effects of a daily intake of micronutrient supplements containing vitamin A, multivitamins (vitamins B, C, and E) or both on progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). 1078 pregnant women infected with HIV were investigated. The results showed that multivitamin supplements delayed the virus progression and the initiation of antiretroviral therapy…
Summary This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of supplemental arginine in persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). 11 HIV-infected adults received either arginine or a placebo for 14 days. The results showed that short-term arginine supplementation is safe for persons with HIV/AIDS. Further details can be found in the…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between vitamin C deficiency and Alzheimer´s disease. The experiments were performed with mice. The results suggested that even moderate vitamin C deficiencies inside the cells play an important role in accelerating the progression of the disease, particularly during early stages. More details can be found in the study. References…
Summary This study evaluated the effect of vitamin D on mental function in elderly people. 80 participants were included and divided into two groups (group A and group B). Group A received a vitamin D supplementation and the participants of group B functioned as controls. Subsequently, dementia and vitamin D levels were assessed. The results…
Summary The present study evaluated the protective action of resveratrol on oxidative stress (i.e. the imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body´s antioxidant defenses) and memory loss induced by amyloid β peptide (Aβ). Aβ is believed to play a key role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease because of its ability to…
Summary Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and the most common neurodegenerative disease in the elderly. This review analyzed epidemiological, dietary intervention and supplementation studies on Alzheimer’s disease. According to the review, the studies supported the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention or delay of mental decline (reduction of brain function)…
Summary Research has found that B vitamin treatment slows the decline of brain functions. On this basis, the present study evaluated whether blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids interact with the effects of B vitamin treatment in patients with mental impairment. 266 participants aged 70 years or older were given B vitamins (folic acid, vitamins…
Summary This study evaluated the relationship between diet and Alzheimer’s disease in normal individuals at risk for this disease. Data from 52 people were analyzed. The association between nutrients and brain function was assessed by means of a questionnaire. The researchers found that higher intakes of fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, fish and low-fat…
Summary Neuroinflammation, an inflammation of the nervous system, is a characteristic of a multitude of nervous system disorders. This review summarized 61 studies that tested the effect of omega-3 on neuroinflammation in various diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The results showed that omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can fight neuroinflammation in this brain disease.…
Summary Seizures, a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, are able to accelerate brain dysfunction. According to research, vitamin C deficiency is an important cause of seizures. This study tested the susceptibility to seizures in mice with Alzheimer´s disease and low concentrations of vitamin C in the brain. The researchers found that low vitamin C concentrations increased…
Summary The present study examined the effect of a micronutrient combination on brain function. The supplement consisted of curcumin, piperine, epigallocatechin gallate, α-lipoic acid, N-acetylcysteine, B vitamins, vitamin C and folate and was administered for 6 months to mice affected by Alzheimer´s disease. The results of this examination revealed that the micronutrient combination improved brain…