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The effect of antioxidant supplementation on the viral load of HIV
by
R D van Gaalen
Dept. of Applied Mathematics, University of Western Ontario
Coauthors: L M Wahl
A byproduct of cellular respiration, small highly reactive molecules called reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a crucial role in cell signalling and infection control. However, high levels of ROS can cause significant damage to cell structure and function. Under normal conditions, a healthy diet supplying adequate quantities of antioxidants helps to maintain a safe level of ROS. Studies have shown that infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) results in an increase in oxidative stress. Acting like a catalyst in nuclear factor kB activation, ROS in turn lead to faster progression of HIV infection, and cause CD4+ T-cell apoptosis. Clinical studies have explored the possibility of raising antioxidant levels with mixed results. In this talk, a mathematical model is used to explore this contested therapy.
Date received: May 13, 2008
Copyright © 2008 by the author(s). The author(s) of this document and the organizers of the conference have granted their consent to include this abstract in Atlas Conferences Inc. Document # cawd-91.