HIV treatment and traditional risk factors causing hardening of the arteries

HIV treatment and traditional risk factors causing hardening of the arteries American Journal of Hypertension, online edition.

Treatment with antiretroviral drugs can cause hardening of the arteries, Greek investigators report. Traditional risk factors for hardening of the arteries, also known as arteriosclerosis, such as cholesterol and high blood pressure were also shown to be important. The Schick Foundation is embarking on a study using blue green algae supplement in HIV+ patients virologically suppressed on antiretroviral drugs. We have put forth theories why an anti inflammatory agent such as blue green algae which releases bone marrow stem cells into the circulation of up to 30 % higher than normal.

These theories include the algae can get into the reservoirs, the blue green algae can extend the life span of infected memory t cells, the blue green algae can block absorption of the virus from entering the GI tract and starting immune activation by microbial translocation, and finally with residual HIV present in suppressed patients the stem cell which is the center of the immune system might be able to regulate the eradication of the last virus present by an active immune system. There may be another benefit of the blue green algae and that is by its anti inflammatory manner it may stop many of the side effects of antiretroviral treatment such as vascular disease, and hypertension.