Abacavir a NRTI has been shown to impair endothelial function, providing a possible explanation for the drugs association with an increased risk of heart attack.
Abacavir toxicity has been the subject of intense debate whether it does or does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
What is interesting is that we are studying Blue Green Algae, or Alpha Sun, a bone marrow stem cell stimulator which decreases inflammation in many settings. Endothelial function impairment is caused by inflammation. It seems logical that Blue green algae, as proposed as a possible solution to toxicity for HIV medication, could be used in Abacavir patients not only to stop the virus, but to decrease the side effects namely cardiovascular disease caused by inflammation of the endothelium of the arteries.
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Breast Tenderness After Starting Combination Hormone Therapy May Indicate Higher Breast Cancer Risk. Archives of Internal Medicine October 14,2009
Postmenopausal women who experience new-onset breast tenderness after starting combination hormone therapy may face increased risk for breast cancer,. Researchers examined data on l7,000 Women's Health Initiative participants who were randomized to receive estrogen-progestin or placebo daily. In the hormone group, women with new onset breast tenderness t 12 months were about 50% more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer during 5.5 years follow-up, relative to those without tenderness. There was no such association among placebo recipients.
The sensitivity and specificity of breast tenderness for predicting cancer risk were 41% and 64% respectively--which, the authors say, are similar to values for the Gail model.
The authors note that hormone-induced elevations in serum estrone and estrone sulfate might lead to increased breast tenderness and heightened rsk. They futher state that these findings should be considered by prescribing physicians to inform decisons regarding continued combined hormone therapy.
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Topical treatment for pre-cancerous anal cell changes safe and moderately effective Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
A course of treatment with topical trichloracetic acid appears to provide a safe and effective treatment for pre-cancerous cell change in the anus, US investigators report in a study published in the online edition of the Journal of acquired Immune deficiency syndromes. The treatment was equally effective in HIV-Positive and HIV-negative men.
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Food insecurity increases risk of death for patients taking HIV-treatment in Canada J.Acq. Def. Synd. October 2009
Patients taking HIV treatment in Vancouver, Canada, who are food insecure have an increased risk of death, researchers report in the online edition of the Journal of acquired Immune deficiency Syndromes. The risk of death was especially hligh for food=insecure individuals who were of low weight.
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CD 4-cell-count below 400 increases cancer risk for patients with HIV October 9th Lancet Oncology
Maintaining a CD 4 cell count above 500 will protect HIV+ patients from a range of AIDS-defining and non-AIDS defining caners. this study was performed by french investigators and is presented in a paper published online on October 8th in The lancet Oncology.
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FDA committee recommends approval of maraviroc for first-line treatment in US
People with HIV in the United States are likely to get a further option for use in first-line drug combinations within the next few weeks, following the decision by the US FDA administration antiviral Drugs Advisory Committee to recommend marketing approval for maraviroc, the CCR5 inhibitor. CCR5 inhibitors work at the entry receptor level of the virus, T-cell interface.
Alpha sun with the preliminary finding that it may block entry of the virus into the T-cell may act in the same way.
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Four million now receiving Antiretroviral therapy, 6 million still in need. United Nations Agencies.
Although 4 million people are now receiving antiretroviral therapy in low and middle income countries, another 5 million adults and children lack access to treatment in low and middle income countries.
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