Acetyl-l-carnitine administration increases insulin-like growth factor 1 levels in asymptomatic HIV-1-infected subjects : Correlation with its suppressive effect on lymphocyte apoptosis and ceramide generation

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of long-term acetyl-L-carnitine administration on CD4 and CD8 absolute counts, apoptosis, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) serum levels in HIV-1-infected subjects. The generation of cell-associated ceramide and HIV-1 viremia were also inves...

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Published in:Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.) Fla.), 1999-07, Vol.92 (1), p.103-110
Main Authors: DI MARZIO, L, MORETTI, S, D'ALO, S, ZAZZERONI, F, MARCELLINI, S, SMACCHIA, C, ALESSE, E, CIFONE, M. G, DE SIMONE, C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetylcarnitine - administration & dosage
Acetylcarnitine - therapeutic use
Acetylcarnitine - toxicity
Adult
Apoptosis - drug effects
Biological and medical sciences
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - cytology
Ceramides - biosynthesis
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Growth Hormone - blood
HIV Infections - blood
HIV Infections - drug therapy
HIV Seropositivity - drug therapy
HIV-1
Human immunodeficiency virus 1
Humans
Immunomodulators
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 - blood
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I - metabolism
Lymphocytes - cytology
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Serum Albumin - analysis
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Summary:The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of long-term acetyl-L-carnitine administration on CD4 and CD8 absolute counts, apoptosis, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) serum levels in HIV-1-infected subjects. The generation of cell-associated ceramide and HIV-1 viremia were also investigated. Eleven asymptomatic, HIV-1-infected subjects were treated daily with acetyl-L-carnitine (3 g) for 5 months. Immunologic and virologic measures and safety were monitored at the start of the treatment and then on days 90 and 150. Altogether our findings suggest that acetyl-L-carnitine administration has a substantial impact on the main immunologic abnormality associated with HIV infection, the loss of CD4 cells, by reducing the rate of apoptotic lymphocyte death. The reduction of ceramide generation and the increase of the serum levels of IGF-1, a major survival factor able to protect cells from apoptosis by different stimuli and conditions, could represent two important mechanisms underlying the observed anti-apoptotic effects of acetyl-L-carnitine.
ISSN:1521-6616
1521-7035
DOI:10.1006/clim.1999.4727