Lymphocyte homeostasis in HIV-infected northern Thais

Cross-sectional laboratory data were used to model the patterns of total lymphocyte count and lymphocyte subpopulation counts among persons with chronic HIV-1 subtype E (CRF01_AE) infection during the 6.5 years preceding death. The data cover 331 HIV-infected decedents from a heterosexual HIV transmission study of 590 northern Thai couples enrolled in 1992-1998. From blood collected at enrollment, the lymphocyte phenotypes (CD3, CD8, CD4, natural killer, and B cells) were stained using two-color monoclonal antibody combinations and quantified by flow cytometry. Piecewise linear splines modeled the associations between lymphocyte levels and time before death. Mean CD3, CD8, and B cell levels showed no temporal associations from 6.5 to 2 years before death, but each declined significantly during the 2 years before death. CD3 levels declined 31.0% [95% confidence interval (-40.3%, -19.8%)] and CD8 levels declined 24.6% (-35.4%, -13.5%) annually in the 2 years prior to death. In contrast, CD4 and NK cell levels declined little from 6.5 to 4.5 years before death but declined significantly over the 4.5 years prior to death. CD4 levels declined 22.1% (-29.2%, -12.0%) annually from 4.5 to 2 years prior to death and 63.7% (-72.3%, -53.6%) annually over the remaining 2 years. Similar lymphocyte patterns have been reported in U. S. and European populations with HIV-1 subtype B infection.     

Hematological alterations and thymic function in newborns of HIV-infected mothers receiving antiretroviral drugs

Objectives

To investigate the effects of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs on hematological parameters and thymic function in HIVuninfected newborns of HIV-infected mothers.

Study design

Cross sectional study.

Setting

Chiang-Mai University Hospital, Chiang-Mai, Thailand.

Participants/Patients

49 HIV-uninfected and 26 HIV-infected pregnancies.

Methods

Cord blood samples of newborns from HIV-uninfected and HIV-infected mothers were collected. Hematological parameters were measured using automatic blood cell count. T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) levels in cord blood mononuclear cells (CBMCs), CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cells were quantified using real-time PCR.

Main Outcome Measures

Hemotological parameters and thymic function.

Results

Newborn of HIV-infected mother tended to have lower mean levels of hemoglobin than those of HIV-uninfected mother (137 ± 22 vs 146 ± 17 g/L, P = 0.05). Furthermore, mean of red blood cell (RBC) counts and hematocrit and median of TRECs in CD4+ T-cells in the newborns of the former were significantly lower than those of the latter [3.6 ± 0.7 vs 4.8 ± 0.6 × 10₁₂ cells/L, P <0.001; 0.40 ± 0.07 vs 0.46 ± 0.05 L/L, P <0.001 and 0.53 (IQR: 0.03–5.76) vs 13.20 (IQR: 2.77–27.51) × 10^?3 pg/μL, P = 0.02, respectively].

Conclusion

ARV drugs altered hematological parameters and thymic function (TRECs CD4⁺ T-cells) in HIV-uninfected newborns of HIV-infected mothers.     

Male viral load and heterosexual transmission of HIV-1 subtype E in northern Thailand

We evaluated the association between HIV-1 RNA copies/mL in men and heterosexual transmission to their female partners among 493 couples in Thailand. Husbands were identified as HIV-positive when they were screened as blood donors; nearly all were infected with HIV subtype E. Wives had no known risks for HIV infection other than sex with their husbands. In multivariate analysis, each log10 increment of HIV RNA in the man was associated with an 81% increased rate of HIV transmission to his wife (odds ratio = 1.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.33-2.48). No transmission occurred at viral loads below 1094 copies/mL, and a dose-response effect was seen with increasing viral load in the man. In multivariate analysis, a history of a sexually transmitted disease in the man or woman, longer duration of hormonal contraceptive use, and the woman's onset of sexual activity at less than 20 years of age were also associated with increased seropositivity of the wife.     

Molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of Pluchea indica leaves in macrophages RAW 264.7 and its action in animal models ofinflammation

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Pluchea indica Less.

(Asteraceae) is a Thai medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of hemorrhoids, lumbago, leucorrhoea and inflammation. This study investigated the molecular mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity of Pluchea indica leaf extract in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and also determined its action in acute inflammation animal models.

Materials and methods

The inhibitory effect of Pluchea indica leaf extract on LPS-induced nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated by Griess reaction. Protein and mRNA expressions were determined by real time RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis, respectively. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) promoter activity was evaluated by iNOS promoter based reporter gene assay. In vivo anti-inflammatory effect was examined in ethylphenylpropiolate (EPP)-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rat models.

Results

Ethyl acetate fraction of ethanol extract of Pluchea indica leaves (EFPI) exhibited the potent inhibitory effect on NO production in LPS-induced macrophages and also inhibited PGE₂ release. EFPI reduced iNOS mRNA and protein expression through suppressed iNOS promoter activity and nuclear translocation of subunit p65 of nuclear factor-κB, but did not inhibit phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Moreover, EFPI possessed anti-inflammatory activities on acute phase of inflammation as seen in EPP-induced ear edema and carrageenan-induced paw edema inrats.

Conclusions

These data support the pharmacological basis of Pluchea indica plant as a traditional herbal medicine for treatment of inflammation.