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Selenium supplements can slow the rise in virus levels in HIV-positive patients, which allows the number of beneficial CD4 immune cell to increase, according to results of a clinical trial supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

Low blood levels of selenium have been linked to high HIV virulence and more opportunistic infections, Dr. Barry E. Hurwitz and associates at the University of Miami in Florida report in the Archives of Internal Medicine. In lab experiments, the element suppresses HIV-1 replication.

Even when antiretroviral therapy (ART) is widely available, failure to keep the virus suppressed "is relatively common, due to the complexity and toxicity of the drugs," Hurwitz told Reuters Health. "Something like selenium is stable in the blood stream and may prevent 'viral escape'."

In their study, Hurwitz's team randomly assigned some 260 HIV-infected adults with no other major diagnosis to take 200-milligram capsules of inactive yeast (placebo) daily or 200-milligram capsules of high-selenium yeast. The researchers used selenium-enriched yeast (Selenomax, Nutrition 21 Inc.) because it contains high concentrations of organic, bioavailable forms of selenium.

After 9 months, viral load had increased by 10,000 to 20,000 copies/milliliter in the placebo group. Viral load was unchanged in the group on selenium supplementation, Hurwitz said, and CD4 cell counts increased.

The researchers identified 50 "selenium responders," whose blood levels of selenium rose significantly more than the average.

These responders tended to have greater adherence as determined by computerized electronic medication-monitoring caps compared with nonresponders, although some subjects with excellent compliance failed to absorb selenium.

Considering just the 50 selenium responders, their viral load actually decreased on average by 10,000 copies/milliliters, Hurwitz noted. Levels among nonresponders did not differ significantly from those in the plain yeast group.

The investigators conclude that selenium supplementation may represent "a simple, inexpensive, and safe adjunct therapy" to antiretroviral medications for HIV.

Hurwitz added that some stores sell the selenium-enriched yeast, with a 2-month supply costing about $15. However, consumers must be careful, he added, because many forms of selenium that are sold are not absorbed into the blood stream.

He also remarked on the potential impact that selenium supplementation could have in parts of world where soil is deficient in selenium, and people generally can't get enough from their food. "Selenium supplements could have very rapid and beneficial effects on HIV-infected individuals in those circumstances," he said.

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, January 22, 2007.