Evaluation of immunological, inflammatory and biochemical parameters in HIV-infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy in association with propolis

• Grant number: 16/24591-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: March 01, 2018
• End date: December 31, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Pharmacology - Ethnopharmacology
• Principal Investigator: José Maurício Sforcin
• Grantee: Fernanda Lopes Conte
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IBB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

HIV infection represents one of the major public health problems due to its pandemic feature and severity. The therapy combining different antiretroviral drugs (cART) has resulted in increased survival of vírus-infected patients but also led to side effects such as cytotoxicity, metabolic disorders, persistent immune activation and inflammation. The goal of this work is to investigate whether propolis - a natural product with many therapeutic properties - may improve the health of such patients, attenuating the impact of the infection and the side effects of therapy. A standardized extract of propolis developed and standardized by Apis Flora Indl. Coml. Ltda. will be used, showing safety and efficacy. HIV-infected patients under therapy and proper viral suppression will take capsules of propolis for three months. Before and after propolis treatment, the lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol and fractions), concentration of inflammation markers (IL-6, TNF-±, IL-10, PCR and CPK), cytokines related to different T cell profiles (IFN-³, IL-4, IL-17 and TGF-²) and inflammassoma (IL-18, IL-1² and IL-33) in PBMC, phenotyping of T lymphocyte (expression of T-bet, GATA-3, ROR³t and Foxp3) and lymphocyte proliferation will be evaluated. Data may provide bases for propolis use in order to improve the patient quality of life and delay the appearance of comorbidities. (AU)

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)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

CONTE, Fernanda Lopes. Evaluation of immunological, inflammatory and biochemical parameters in HIV-positive patients using antiretroviral therapy in combination with propolis. 2021. Doctoral Thesis - Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp). Faculdade de Medicina. Botucatu Botucatu.