Micronutrient Supplemented Probiotic Yogurt for HIV/AIDS and Other Immunodeficiencies: A Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial

Drs. Reid and Hekmat have recently developed a fermented milk product (yogurt) containing Lactobacillus GR-1 and RC-14 and concluded that such dairy products are suitable vehicles for these beneficial microorganisms [Hekmat, S. & Reid, G. 2006].

The strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 have a proven efficacy to treat and protect against gastrointestinal and urogenital infections [Anukam, K. et. al. 2006; 2007]. In one study, the supplementation of yogurt with these probiotics was shown to eradicate diahrea and increase the CD4 T-lymphocyte counts in HIV subjects [Anukam, K. et.al. 2006]. HIV infected subjects often suffer diarrheal episodes, and consequently experience malabsorption of certain nutrients [Cunningham-Rundles, 2000]. A study conducted by Cunningham et. al [2000] found that probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299 had a positive impact on the immunity of 10/17 children and on the growth of all of the children who were HIV-positive.

It is estimated that 75 percent of immune function is localized in the gastrointestinal tract, which may explain why oral administration of probiotics is an excellent tool for immunomodulation [Olah, A. et. al. 2002]. In a study of 45 patients with acute pancreatitis, 22 were given probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 299 and 10g of oat fibre with regular enteral nutrition; and 23 were given a placebo in the form of regular enteral nutrition. Significantly fewer (n=1 versus n=7) patients in the probiotic/fibre group experienced septic complications requiring surgery, highlighting the safety and potential hospitalized benefits that could be accrued for critical care nutrition.

A study has recently shown in 40 HIV-infected patients taking a stavudine and/or didanosine-based HAART regimen plus micronutrients twice daily for twelve weeks, that the absolute CD4 count increased by an average of 24% versus 0% in the placebo group (p=0.01). The mean HIV-1 RNA decreased in the micronutrient supplementation group [Kaiser, et.al. 2006]. This is significant for the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Africa and for the many people in Canada living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, this may be related to other immunodeficiencies in hospitalized patients from chemotherapeutic and radiological treatments, organ transplantation, controlling diabetes, and other chronic ailments.

Clinical malnutrition is a heterogenous group of disorders including macronutrient deficiencies that lead to body cell mass depletion and micronutrient deficiencies, and these often coexist with infectious and inflammatory processes [Hughes,S. & Kelly, P. 2006]. Diverse factors affect bioavailability, such as the nutritional status of individuals, the presence in the diet of substances which facilitate or inhibit its absorption, interactions among micronutrients, illnesses, and chemical characteristics of the compound used for fortification. There is good evidence that specific micronutrients, particularly zinc and vitamin A, influence immunity, while iron supplementation is often not effective in Africa [Hughes, S. & Kelly, P. 2006].