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    AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 1997 Nov 20;13(17):1533-7.

    Effects of tapering doses of oral prednisone on viral load among HIV-infected patients with unexplained weight loss.

    Source

    Center for AIDS Research, Department of Pathology, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine, 35294, USA.

    Abstract

    In an exploratory study of virologic and immunomodulatory effects of corticosteroid therapy for wasting syndrome, four HIV-infected adults with recent unexplained weight loss were given tapering doses of prednisone over a 2-month period. Serum neopterin and TNF receptor II levels decreased from baseline after 7 days. An antiretroviral effect was observed initially, peaking on days 14-21 (mean change in HIV-1 branched chain DNA assay on day 21 of -0.52 log10; mean change, from baseline to nadir for each individual, of -0.63 log10); subsequent bDNA levels returned toward baseline as prednisone was tapered. No patient lost weight and there was a mean weight gain of 3.5 kg. Anecdotal reports of corticosteroid benefits in the wasting syndrome may result in part from decreased T cell activation leading to decreased HIV replication, an effect that may be self-limited or that may occur only at higher prednisone doses. Studies involving more targeted immunomodulatory agents for wasting syndrome are warranted.

    PMID:
    9390753
    [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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