Importance of trace elements in the immunometabolic health of people living with HIV/AIDS: a literature review

• Published in: Molecular biology reports 2025-12, Vol.52 (1), p.71
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Sara Souza, Bocchi, Mayara, de Oliveira, David Michel, Fernandes, Eduardo Vignoto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; AIDS; Animal Anatomy; Animal Biochemistry; Antiretroviral therapy; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cell activation; Histology; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Immune response; Immunomodulation; Immunosuppression; Leukocytes (neutrophilic); Life Sciences; Literature reviews; Lymphocytes; Macrophages; Magnesium; Manganese; Morphology; Oxidative stress; Review; Selenium; Trace elements; Trace elements (nutrients)
• ISSN: 0301-4851; 1573-4978; 1573-4978
• DOI: 10.1007/s11033-024-10186-4

Trace elements (TEs) are essential for human health and for maintaining immune responses against potentially aggressive pathogens, such as the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). During the infectious process, the body needs greater amounts of TEs in order to coordinate an efficient immune response to combat the invading agent, a condition that reflects in lymphocyte proliferation and activation of the antioxidant defense system of neutrophils and macrophages. Thus, during the progression phase of a viral infection, immunomodulation of TEs such as iron, zinc, chromium, magnesium, selenium, copper, calcium, and manganese occurs, can lead to immunosuppression and increased oxidative stress. Furthermore, the adverse effects caused by the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) trigger nutritional disorders and metabolic alterations that contribute to deficiencies in TEs, associated with compromised immune function. Therefore, this narrative literature review aims to contribute as a teaching tool on the TEs involved in the pathogenesis of HIV, by reviewing the role of TEs in the immunometabolic health of people living with HIV/AIDS.