Scientists Explain How Selenium Fights HIV

The argument for increasing selenium intake. Margaret P. Rayman, Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 2002; 61:203-215

“Selenium seems to be a crucial nutrient for HIV-infected subjects. It is a potent inhibitor of HIV replication.”

“Good selenium status may protect against HIV progression by maintaining host immune competence.”

“selenium appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting certain viral infections; thus, in a selenium-deficient host….HIV infection progresses more rapidly to Aids.”

“in a selenium-deficient host, harmless viruses can become virulent.”

“plasma selenium is a strong predictor of the outcome in HIV infection.”

“More than twenty [scientific] papers report a progressive decline in plasma selenium paralleling the ongoing loss of CD4+T-cells in HIV-1.”

“low levels of plasma selenium were significantly and independently related to mortality and faster [HIV] disease progression.”

“viruses may be capable of hijacking the selenium supply of the host by incorporating selenium into viral selenoproteins, thereby reducing the ability of the host to mount an effective immune response.”

 

Impact of selenium status on the pathogenesis of mycobacterial disease in HIV-1-infected drug users during the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Gail Shor-Posner et.al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2002;29:169-173

“selenium status may have a profound impact on the pathogenesis of mycobacterial disease (tuberculosis).”

“selenium appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and progression to  Aids.”

“lower levels of selenium significantly increased the relative risk of developing mycobacterial disease [by 13 times].”

“selenium therapy may contribute to the successful elimination and/or decreased dissemination of           mycobacterial diseases.”

“Our findings indicate a potential critical role for selenium in reducing the risk of development of active  mycobacterial disease in HIV-1…”

Neuroprotection in HIV-positive drug users: implications for antioxidant therapy. Gail Shor-Posner et.al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2002;31:S84-88 

“an improvement in general health has been reported after selenium treatment in HIV-1-infected individuals, and an inhibition of mental deterioration has also been reported…”

“Antioxidant [selenium] therapy may help prevent neuronal damage, maintain cognitive function, and promote well-being in HIV-1-infected men and women.”

“Selenium may enhance neuronal survival [in HIV/Aids] through an antioxidant action…”

“a role for selenium in neuropsychologic function is supported by our preliminary studies in HIV-1-infected drug users…”

Antioxidants and viral infections: Host immune response and viral pathogenicity. (review) Melinda A. Beck. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2001;20:5:384S-388S

“A deficiency in selenium leads to increased susceptibility to influenza virus-induced pneumonitis.”

“A host deficiency in selenium leads to alterations in the immune response of the infected host…”

“it would be important to consider the host nutritional status as a driving force for viral mutation.”

 

Selenium deficiency is associated with shedding of HIV-1-infected cells in the female genital tract. Jared M. Baeten et.al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2001;26: 360-364. 

“We found selenium deficiency to be associated with a nearly threefold higher likelihood of genital mucosa shedding of HIV-1-infected cells, suggesting that deficiency may increase the infectiousness of women with HIV-1.”

“genital tract shedding is a risk factor for mother-to-child transmission of HIV-1 and….women who shed HIV-1 in the genital tract are likely to be more infectious to sexual partners as well.”

“vaginal shedding [of HIV] was significantly more common in women who were deficient in selenium…”

“Evidence that HIV-1 encodes viral selenoproteins has led to speculation that HIV-1 regulates its own   replication based on selenium levels, with greater replication occurring when selenium concentrations   are low.”

“Micronutrient supplementation may have the greatest potential impact in the developing world, where  wasting is a common manifestation of HIV-1 infection, the prevalence of micronutrient deficiency is high, and antiretroviral therapy is generally not available.”

 

Nutrition, HIV, and drug abuse: the molecular basis of a unique role for selenium.  E. Will Taylor et.al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2000;25:S53-S61

“oxidative stress is a hallmark of Aids, and an activator of HIV-1 replication…”

“Selenium, although classified as a mineral is a potent dietary antioxidant, and its cellular actions are intimately linked to the….redox regulation of genes that are important for various immune cell functions.”

“Selenium deficiency….is commonly associated with impaired immune function.”

“Selenium also potentiates the action of the cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2) by upregulating the IL-2 receptor.”

“HIV-1 transcription is activated by oxidative stress through the transcription factor NF-kB.”

“NF-kB [Nuclear-factor kappa-binding] acts as a transcription factor of a number of immune-related genes…”

“HIV has evolved so that it can be activated by the same cellular factor that stimulates these various immune – related functions.”

 

The importance of selenium to human health. (review) Margaret P. Rayman, The Lancet 2000;356:233-241

“selenium...appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of virulence and inhibiting HIV progression to Aids.”

“Numerous studies suggest that deficiency of selenium is accompanied by loss of immunocompetence, probably not unconnected with the fact that selenium is normally found in significant amounts in immune tissues such as liver, spleen and lymph nodes.”

“Even at so-called replete levels of plasma selenium...supplementation with 200mcg selenium per day has considerable immunoenhancing effects.”

“cells of the immune system may have an important functional need for selenium.”

“Selenium deficiency is linked to the occurrence, virulence, or disease progression of some viral infections.”

“in a selenium-deficient host, harmless viruses can become virulent….”

“If these findings were to be applicable to other RNA viruses, such as poliovirus, hepatitis, influenza, or HIV, there would be considerable public-health implications.”

“More than twenty [scientific] papers report a progressive decline in plasma selenium in parallel with the on-going loss of CD4 T cells in HIV-1 infection.”

“low plasma selenium is a significantly greater risk factor for mortality than low helper-T-cell count, by a factor of 16…”

“Selenium also appears to be protective in individuals infected with hepatitis virus (B or C) against the  progression of the condition to liver cancer.”

“Viruses may be capable of hijacking the selenium supply of the host by incorporating selenium into viral selenoproteins, thereby reducing the ability of the host to mount an effective immune response.”

“as long as there is enough selenium around, cellular immunity will be high….”

“low selenium status was associated with a significantly greater incidence of depression and other negative mood states such as anxiety, confusion, and hostility.”

“supplementation with selenium appears to improve mood.”

“Selenium may be protective against cardiovascular disease.”

“Any condition associated with increased oxidative stress or inflammation might be expected to be influenced by selenium levels, [including]...rheumatoid arthritis, pancreatitis, and asthma.”

“Many people rarely eat foods that are good sources of selenium.”

“the previously-unsuspected role of host selenium status in the emergence of viral disease promises some new strategies for prevention and treatment.”

 

Selenium and interleukins in persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus type-1. Marianna K. Baum et.al., Journal of Infectious Diseases 2000:182(suppl. 1):S69-73

“selenium supplementation may down-regulate the abnormally high levels of IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-a observed in HIV disease, which has been associated with neurologic damage, Kaposi’s sarcoma, wasting syndrome, and increased viral replication.”

“selenium regulates levels of IL-2, the cytokine responsible for the earliest and most rapid expansion of T-lymphocytes.”

“TNF appears to play a major role in the pathogenesis of Kaposi’s sarcoma”

“TNF also seems to have a prominent role in the pathogenesis of anorexia and cachexia….”

“Selenium supplementation may therefore reduce TNF receptors and prevent some of the deleterious effects of high TNF circulating levels such as wasting and Kaposi’s sarcoma.”

“There is substantial evidence of an important role for selenium in ameliorating the physiopathologic process of HIV-1 infection.”

“selenium supplementation may be immunorestorative and of therapeutic benefit in persons with HIV infection or Aids, particularly when antiretroviral treatments are not readily available.”

 

Levels of major selenoproteins in T cells decrease during HIV infection and low molecular mass selenium compounds increase. Vadim Gladyshev et.al., Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA) 1999;96:835-839

“Dietary supplementation with selenium offers a potentially effective and inexpensive means of ameliorating [HIV disease and some cancers] and many other disorders.”

“there is a direct correlation between a low dietary selenium intake and a 20-fold increase in risk of developing Aids in HIV-infected individuals. This negative correlation between selenium status and progression of Aids noted in a number of studies supports a beneficial role of selenium for HIV-infected individuals.”

HIV-1 encodes a sequence with functional glutathione peroxidase activity: implications for the link between a selenium deficiency and Aids. (abstract) L. Zhao et.al., Forth Dresden Selenium Symposium 1999. 

“Low plasma selenium has been linked not only to increased risk of disease progression and mortality, but also with specific symptoms such as myopathy of both heart and skeletal muscle.”

“the role of selenium in Aids, and the rationale for why HIV might benefit from encoding a selenoprotein, can now be better understood in the light of recent demonstrations of the involvement of selenoproteins like GPx and thioredoxin reductase in redox regulation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB, which is the primary cellular factor involved in the activation of HIV transcription.”

 

Mortality risk in selenium-deficient HIV-positive children. Adriana Campa et.al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology. 1999;20:508-513

“In pediatric HIV-infection, low plasma level of selenium is an independent predictor of mortality, and appears to be associated with faster disease progression.”

“survival time for the selenium-deficient children was 356 days compared with 1020 days in the selenium-adequate group.”

“Supplementation with selenium has been shown to promote…essential parts of the antioxidant defense against viral peroxidative damage.”

“Thus, supplementation with selenium in HIV infection may offer the potential to moderate oxidative stress and immunosuppression.”

“The relationship between selenium deficiency and early death may be explained not only by selenium’s role in preventing oxidative stress, but also by its proposed role within an infected cell in maintaining latency.”

 

Micronutrients and neuropsychological function in HIV/Aids. (abstract) Gail Shor-Posner

“selenium may decrease neuropathogenesis through suppression of TNF-alpha and IL-8 induced HIV-1 replication, neuronal apoptosis, and blood-brain barrier damage.”

 

Sodium selenite and N-acetylcysteine in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected patients: a randomized, controlled pilot study. Marcus P. Look et.al., European Journal of Clinical Investigation 1998;28:389-397

“a certain threshold of serum selenium should be maintained in HIV infection to prevent uncontrolled viral propagation that occurs through NF-kB activation….”

“Selenium has immune modulating effects and was shown to suppress HIV propagation….”

“NAC/selenium treatment seems to improve the CD4/CD8 ratio, particularly by decreasing the absolute number as well as the relative proportion of CD8-positive suppressor cells.”

Serum selenium versus lymphocytes subsets and markers of disease progression and inflammatory response in human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection. Marcus P. Look et.al., Biological Trace Element Research 1997;56:31-41

“the progressive deprivation of selenium in HIV-infection is associated with loss of CD4 cells and with increasing levels of markers od disease progression and inflammatory response.

“selenium deficiency is dramatically exaggerated in the presence of an acute opportunistic infection and/or Aids-defining tumor disease.”

“serum selenium levels were positively correlated with CD4 count, CD4/CD8 ratio and inversely with….TNF.…”

“inadequate selenium levels….might be considered to be potent promoters of HIV disease progression.”

Selenium supplementation suppresses tumor necrosis factor-alpha induced human immunodeficiency virus type-1 replication in vitro. Kotaro Hori et.al., Aids Research and Human Retroviruses 1997;13:15:1325-1332 

“selenium supplementation may prove beneficial as an adjuvant therapy for Aids through …. antioxidative systems.”

“selenium has a beneficial effect in the treatment of HIV-1 infection.”

“selenium supplementation partially suppressed the TNF-alpha-mediated enhancement of HIV-1….”

“selenium supplementation is important to aids patients….”

“high-dose selenium intake results in clinical improvement in ARC and Aids patients.”

 

Effect of selenium supplementation on mice infected with LP-BM5 MuLV a murine Aids model. Chunying Chen et.al., Biological Trace Element research 1997;59:187-193

“Selenium is required for lymphocyte proliferation….and natural killer cell activity.”

“selenium appears to stimulate the recognition and signaling function of lymphocytes and IL-2 secretion.”

Serum selenium, plasma glutathione (GHS) and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)-    levels in asymptomatic versus symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Marcus P. Look et.al., European Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1997;51:266-272

“adequate concentrations of selenium are essential for optimal functioning of the GHS-PX-system in infected cells. This might aid the suppression of viral transcription.”

“studies have supported a link between low selenium concentrations, low GHS-Px-activity and increased NF-kB activation and viral transcription.”

“decrease of serum selenium is augmented in the presence of an underlying opportunistic infection (OI) and/or HIV-associated neoplasms.”

“Selenium deficiency is common in advanced HIV-disease and should be corrected.”

 

Muscle involvement in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients is associated with marked selenium deficiency. Patrick Chariot et.al., Muscle and Nerve 1997;20:386-389 

“Selenium-deficient patients can develop a congestive cardiomyopathy or skeletal muscle involvement  manifesting by pain and proximal weakness.”

“The documented involvement of selenium deficiency in the pathogenesis of myopathic syndromes…suggests that it could be regarded as a possible cofactor of muscle involvement in HIV-infected patients.”

“selenium-responsive cardiomyopathies have been documented in HIV infection.”

“selenium supplementation may be associated with clinical improvement of muscular symptoms in selenium-deficient patients.”

 

High risk of HIV-related mortality is associated with selenium deficiency. Marianna K. Baum et.al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology1997;15: 370-374

“selenium deficiency…[is] associated with HIV-1-related mortality independent of CD4 cell count….”

“selenium inhibits viral cytotoxic effects and the reactivation of HIV by hydrogen peroxide and it protects against activation of HIV-1 by tumor necrosis factor.”

“Selenium status may have an important role in modulating viral expression, with adequate selenium preventing the replication of HIV and slowing the progression of HIV-1 disease. A decline in selenium levels would be expected to increase viral replication and accelerate disease progression.”

 

Selenium-mediated inhibition of transcription factor NF-kB and HIV-1 LTR promoter activity. Vassili Makropoupos et.al., Archives of Toxicology 1996;70:277-283

“selenium supplementation may be used to modulate the expression of NF-kB target genes and HIV-1.”

“oxidative stress is implicated in the progression of Aids.”

“Selenium suppresses HIV-LTR promoter activity.”

“Selenium administration may provide beneficial effects in the treatment of HIV-infected subjects.”

“adjuvant therapy with selenium may prove to be efficient not only in inhibiting HIV replication but also in enhancing the resistance of T lymphocytes toward oxidative stress and apoptosis.”

 

The enzymatic antioxidant system in blood and glutathione status in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients: effects of supplementation with selenium or Beta-carotene-1,2. Marie-Christine Delmas-Beauvieux et.al., American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1996;64:101-107 

“ROS [reactive oxygen species] can stimulate HIV replication through the activation of (NF-kB)….”

“HIV-infected patients have deficiencies in their antioxidant systems….”

“Supplementation with selenium seemed to be pertinent not only because of its role in GPX activity, but also because ultimate depletion of selenium within an infected cell might be a signal of unrestrained    expression of viral genes.”

 

Relationship of trace element, immunological markers, and HIV-1 infection progression. C. Allavena et.al., Biological Trace Element Research 1995;47:133-138

“These results confirm the prevalence of abnormalities in selenium….in more advanced HIV disease.”

“patients with short survival…exhibited significantly lower selenium values….”

“in response to selenium oral supplementation, blood selenium levels quickly increased.”

“the measurement ...of selenium may be a useful marker to predict HIV infection progression.”

 

Serum selenium predicts outcome in HIV infection. (letter) Joel Constans et.al., Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retroviruses                                     1995;10:3:392

“Serum selenium correlated with CD4 cell count and with p24 antigenemia.”

“Death and OIs [opportunistic infections] correlated with CD4 cell count and serum selenium.”

“selenium is required for immune functions: lymphocyte proliferation. macrophage function, and natural killer cell activity.”

Stimulation of glutathione peroxidase activity decreases HIV type-1 activation after oxidative stress. Christine Sappey et.al., Aids Research and Human Retroviruses 1994;10(11):1451-1461 

“an HIV-1-mediated antioxidant imbalance [is] an important factor in the progressive depletion of CD4 T cells in Aids.”

“Selenium deficiency could have numerous implications for the progression and the pathogenesis of Aids.”

“NF-kB activation is also decreased by selenium supplementation….”

“After selenium supplementation, HIV-1 activation by H2O2 was strongly diminished.”

“These results justified interest in….antioxidants [like selenium] as plausible means of extending the HIV latency period or, perhaps a new approach to anti-HIV therapy.”

 

Selenium deficiency in HIV infection and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids). Brad M. Dworkin, Chemico-Biological Interactions 1994;91:181-186

“selenium deficiency may be associated with myopathy, cardiomyopathy and immune dysfunction including oral candidiasis, impaired phagocytic function and decreased CD4 T-cells.”

“A variety of other problems which affect Aids patients could also be modified or influenced by selenium deficiency.”

“Selenium supplementation in Aids has been shown to improve cardiac dysfunction.”

“Clearly, selenium status….must be addressed in the nutritional therapy of Aids patients.”

 

Selenium in the maintenance and therapy of HIV-infected patients. Gerhard N. Schrauzer and Juliane Sacher, Chemico-Biological Interactions 1994;91:199-205

“Due to its antiviral effects and its importance for all immunological functions, the administration of selenium is suggested as a supportive measure in early as well as in advanced stages of HIV-induced disease.”

“the protective effects of selenium against viral pathogens….occur at supplemental levels above the [normal] physiological requirements.”

“selenium inhibits reverse transcriptase activity.”

“supplemental selenium could be regarded as a Sine qua non of the practical management of HIV infected subjects.”

“Selenium administration is well tolerated and does not produce undesirable effects.”

“Selenium could influence the course of the HIV-induced disease process at all stages and in a manner  depending on dosage.”

“in patients with HIV-related diseases….higher doses will be required in order to replenish body stores of selenium as rapidly as possible and to utilize its pharmacological effects. For these applications, selenium doses of 400mcg may be employed….However, for continuous administration, the dosage should not exceed 1mg/day.”

Serum selenium concentration and disease progress in patients with HIV infection. Augusto Cirelli et.al., Clinical Biochemistry 1991;24:211-214 

“Selenium deficiency….is associated with a decrease in resistance to microbial and viral infections.”

“[HIV] patients who received selenium supplementation showed a clear improvement of their general health as evaluated by the Karnofski performance status.”

“our data show that it is useful to provide early administration of selenium to Aids patients.”

 

Serum trace element levels in HIV-infected subjects. Karl W. Beck et.al., Biological Trace Element Research 1990;25:89-95

“Selenium was significantly lower in the HIV-infected subjects.”

“[in] HIV…iron supplementation is not advised….”

“Selenium deficiency...weakens the immune system in its entirety….and increases the susceptibility to Candida albicans infections [thrush].”

 

Selenium supplementation of symptomatic human immunodeficiency virus infected patients. Luke Olmsted, Gerhard N. Schrauzer et.al., Biological Trace Element Research 1989;20:59-65

“A rationale for adjuvant selenium supplementation of symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV carriers is             proposed.”

“selenium deficiency has important implications for the progression and pathogenesis of HIV disease.”

“lymphocytes require comparatively high levels of selenium for optimal function….”

“selenium reduces the pathogenicity and tumorigenicity of viral agents.” 

“Adjuvant selenium supplementation could be of considerable benefit….and could prolong the [HIV] disease free interval.”

 

Selenium and immune responses. (review) L. Kiremidjian-Schumacher and G. Stotkzy, Environmental Research 1987;42:277-303

“The manipulation of cellular levels of selenium may be significant for the maintenance of general health and for the control of immunodeficiency disorders and the chemoprevention of cancer.”

“Selenium significantly affects the function of all components of the immune system, i.e., non-specific, humoral, and cell-mediated responses.”

“The effect of selenium on the ability of T and B lymphocytes to respond to mitogen stimulation by proliferation provided further evidence for the ability of selenium to modulate cellular immunity.”

“a deficiency of selenium results in immunosuppression, whereas supplementation with low doses of selenium results in augmentation and/or restoration of immune functions.”

Sodium selenite inhibition of the reproduction of some oncogenic RNA-viruses. R.M. Balansky and R.M. Argirova, Experientia 1981;37:1194-1195

“sodium selenite...markedly depressed reverse transcriptase activity.”

“The suppressive effect of selenite on the reverse transcriptase activity may well account for its inhibition of carcinogenesis….”