Document 0654
 DOCN  M95A0654
 TI    Sulfasalazine: arthritis drug increases CD4 count? 
 DT    9510
 AU    Smith D
 SO    AIDS Treat News. 1995 Mar 3;(no 218):6-7. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       AIDS/95700354
 AB    Sulfasalazine, a drug commonly used to treat arthritis, has been shown
       to increase CD4 counts in people with HIV, substantially in some
       patients. Researchers published their findings in April's Journal of
       Rheumatology (vol. 21, no. 4). Sulfasalazine has been known to suppress
       certain inflammatory responses of the immune system, including the
       production of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukins 1
       and 2; and to be a scavenger of superoxide radicals thought to provoke
       HIV by affecting the long terminal repeat of the virus. If sulfasalazine
       lowers oxidative stress, or pacifies certain overactive components of
       the immune response, it would be consistent with some current directions
       in HIV research. Side effects of the drug have been a sulfa-like
       reaction in some patients, bone marrow suppression with long-term use,
       and immunosuppression affecting cytokine production. CD4 counts are
       considered poor markers for HIV activity. There are tests, however, that
       bypass these markers to identify the impact of treatments like
       sulfasalazine on viral load. A sulfasalazine control trial headed by Dr.
       Eddys Disla began recruiting March 1st in the New York area (212)
       955-6996. Those with anecdotal experience using sulfasalazine are asked
       to call Denny Smith or John James at (415) 255-0588.
 DE    Adjuvants, Immunologic/PHARMACOLOGY/*THERAPEUTIC USE  *CD4 Lymphocyte
       Count  Cytokines/BIOSYNTHESIS  Free Radical Scavengers  HIV/PHYSIOLOGY
       HIV Infections/BLOOD/*DRUG THERAPY  Human
       Sulfasalazine/PHARMACOLOGY/*THERAPEUTIC USE  Superoxides  Virus
       Replication  NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).