Selenium could slow advance of Aids

The infection from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (Aids) can be slowed through the use of selenium proteins, it has been discovered.

A new study has show that a reduction in viral replication of at least tenfold can be achieved by increasing the rate of production of selenium-based proteins within the body.

It is believed that these proteins bind to the reproductory proteins of the HIV virus and thereby slow its rate of development, news which could be of interest to suffers looking to get a health insurance quote in the near future.

K Sandeep Prabhu, Penn State assistant professor of immunology and molecular toxicology, commented on the research: "Since HIV targets the selenoproteins, we thought that the logical way to deal with the virus is to increase the expression of such proteins in the body.

"Once we fully understand the function of these selenium proteins, it will give us a handle to come up with more effective drugs," he noted.

According to NHS Direct, HIV is a virus that is transmitted via the transfer of bodily fluids.

The virus infects individuals killing white blood cells and weakening their immune system.

Furthermore, the website noted that Aids is the term for advanced HIV infection, where the immune response has stopped working altogether and individuals can become very ill from relatively small infections which a healthy individual would be able to combat.
 

Adfero Ltd provides live and tailored breaking industry news for Chartis Direct. All industry news is prepared by Adfero Ltd and as such does not represent the views or opinions of Chartis Direct a trading name of UNAT Direct Insurance Management Limited.

© Adfero Ltd 2008