Page 22 - pest-POSTEN nr 4,1996

-pest-POSTEN Side 22

expression of p75 was actually significantly lower
than in the controls. Similar patterns were found
when monocytes and lymphocytes were analyzed
separately. In plasma, elevated levels of soluble
TNF, p55, and p75 were found in the HIV
patients, the highest levels being in CDC group G
The plasma HIV RNA level correlated positively
with soluble p75 (r=0.69) and negatively with p75
expression on MNC (r=0.56). As the cellular
expression of p75 has been associated with the
ability to kill intracellular microorganisms, our
findings of low p75 expression on MNC from
patients with the most advanced
immunodeficiency may contribute to their
impaired capacity to kill intracellular
microorganisms.

DECREASED SERUM LEVELS OF 1,25
DIHYDROXYVITAMIN D (1,25 D) IN HIV
INFECTION MAY REFLECT ENDOCRINE
DYSFUNCTION ASSOCIATED WITH
INCREASED TNF ACTVITY can be summarised as follows: 1. In contrast to the
significant decrease in 1,25 D levels, we could not
Haug CJ, Aukrust P, Müller F, Frøland SS.
Section of Clinical Immunology and Infectious demonstrate any significant decrease in 25
Diseases, Medical Department A, Rikshospitalet, hydroxyvitamin D levels among HIV-infected
Oslo, Norway. patients and importantly, there was no significant
correlation between these two vitamin D
We have previously demonstrated low serum metabolites. II. None of the parameters reflecting
levels of 1,25 D in HIV-infected individuals with malabsorption or weight loss were significantly
lowest levels in the AIDS group Particularly low correlated with low serum levels of 1,25 D III.
levels were found in HIV-infected patients with Although the HIV-infected patients had decreased
systemic infection with Mycobacterium avium 1,25 D levels, there was no increase in serum PTH
complex. Furthermore, low serum levels of 1,25 D levels; on the contrary, HIV-infected patients
in HIV-infected patients were significantly tended to have low circulating PTH levels,
correlated with low numbers of CD4+ particularly in the AIDS group IV. The low serum
lymphocytes, raised serum levels of neopterin and levels of 1,25 D were significantly correlated with
short-time survival, suggesting a possible raised serum levels of TNF Thus, the decreased
immunopathogenic role for dysregulated 1,25 D serum levels of 1,25 D in HIV infection does not
metabolism in HIV infection. To further analyse seem to reflect malabsorption, malnutrition or 25
the mechanisms leading to 1,25 D deficiency we D deficiency. The association between 1,25 D
studied 31 HIV-infected patients and asked if: 1. deficiency and both low PTH levels and increased
there were any relationships between 1,25 D TNF levels may indicate that the 1,25 D
deficiency and malabsorption and weight loss 2. deficiency in HIV infection reflects an endocrine
there were any relationships between 1,25 D levels dysfunction possibly mediated by increased TNF
and other metabolic factors known to be involved activity. This and previous reports should promote
in vitamin D metabolism such as Ca, phosphate, clinical studies evaluating 1,25 D supplementation
PTH and vitamin D binding protein 3. if there as an immunomodulating agent in HIV infection
were any relationships between 1,25 D levels and opportunistic infections.
increased TNF“ activity which is known to
influence several endocrine functions. The results _____ ***** _____