Effect of propolis on immunological, inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) following antiretroviral treatment

• Grant number: 17/14846-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: April 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Ethnopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: José Maurício Sforcin
• Grantee: Karen Ingrid Tasca
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

One of the current challenges in the study of HIV/aids is a better understanding of the chronic inflammation that infected-people present, because the immune activation persists even using antiretroviral therapy (cART), and patients suffer not only with immunodeficiency, but mainly with immunesenescence. These mechanisms contribute to the development of non-aids comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, renal or hepatic impairment, bone abnormalities, cancer, among others diseases which indeed reflect the major causes of death in this population. Despite the undoubted benefits of cART, its prolonged use and start earlier and earlier, indicates the need of interventions that could reduce its harmful effects, such as toxicity, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia, which accelerate the onset of non-aids comorbidities. Propolis is a bee product exhibiting several properties - immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. In this clinical trial we aim to verify the immune and metabolic profiles of HIV-infected individuals using cART therapy, simultaneously or not with propolis intake daily for three months. Some inflammatory, microbial translocation and oxidative stress biomarkers will be also evaluated in such patients. If our hypothesis about the beneficial effects of propolis is confirmed, this will be an important step for implementing new approaches with the "Unified Health System", to a better quality of life and survival of this population.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CONTE, FERNANDA LOPES; TASCA, KAREN INGRID; SANTIAGO, KARINA BASSO; CARDOSO, ELIZA DE OLIVEIRA; ROMAGNOLI, GRAZIELA GORETE; GOLIM, MARJORIE DE ASSIS; MARQUES BRAZ, ALINE MARCIA; BERRETTA, ANDRESA APARECIDA; DE SOUZA, LENICE DO ROSARIO; SFORCIN, JOSE MAURICIO. Propolis increases Foxp(3) expression and lymphocyte proliferation in HIV-infected people: A randomized, double blind, parallel-group and placebo-controlled study. BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY, v. 142, OCT 2021. (17/14846-0, 16/24591-6, 18/04297-1)

TASCA, KAREN INGRID; CONTE, FERNANDA LOPES; CORREA, CAMILA RENATA; SANTIAGO, KARINA BASSO; CARDOSO, ELIZA DE OLIVEIRA; MANFIO, VANESSA MARTINEZ; GARCIA, JESSICA LEITE; BERRETTA, ANDRESA APARECIDA; SARTORI, ARTHUR ALVES; HONORIO, MARIANA DA SILVA; et al. Propolis consumption by asymptomatic HIV-individuals: Better redox state? A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY, v. 162, p. 7-pg., 2023-06-01. (17/14846-0, 18/04297-1)