A randomized placebo-controlled trial of the impact of multiple micronutrient supplementation on HIV-1 genital shedding among Thai subjects
Jiamto, S.; Chaisilwattana, P.; Pepin, J.; Suttent, R.; Mahakkanukrauh, B.; Filteau, S.; Suthipinittharm, P.; Jaffar, S.
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 37(1): 1216-1218
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 1525-4135 PMID: 15319683 DOI: 10.1097/01.qai.0000136092.79153.acDocument Number: 235202
The impact of multiple micronutrient (MN) supplementation on HIV genital shedding and plasma viral load was assessed. A total of seventy-one HIV-infected subjects, recruited from around Bangkok, Thailand, were allocated to MNs; 69 were allocated to placebo. The subjects received their treatments for a period of 48 weeks, and it consisted of daily doses of retinol (3000 micro g), beta -carotene (6 mg), vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, 20 micro g), vitamin E (80 mg), vitamin K (180 micro g), ascorbic acid (400 mg), thiamin (24 mg), riboflavin (15 mg), pyridoxine (40 mg), vitamin B12 (30 micro g), folic acid (100 micro g), pantothenic acid (40 mg), iron (10 mg), magnesium (200 mg), manganese (8 mg), zinc (30 mg), iodine (300 micro g), copper (3 mg), selenium (400 micro g), chromium (150 micro g) and cystine (66 mg). The results of the trial showed that the death rate was significantly lower in the MN group among subjects whose CD4 counts at baseline were <200 CD4/ micro l; however, no impact on hospital admissions or CD4 cell count was observed. Moreover, at 48 weeks, the median CD4 count, mean log viral load in plasma, semen and cervicovaginal secretions did not differ significantly between patients in the MN and placebo groups. The differences (95% confidence interval) in mean log viral load copies per ml (MN vs. placebo) were -0.15 (-0.53 vs. 0.23) for plasma; -0.07 (-0.62 vs. 0.48) for seminal shedding; and -0.11 (-0.50 vs. 0.27) for cervicovaginal shedding.