Reduced micronutrient intake accentuates premature death caused by immune dysfunction in leukemia retrovirus-infected C57BL/6 mice

We investigated the effect of micronutrient deficiency on the survival and immune dysfunction of C57BL/6 mice during progression to murine AIDS. Survival of retrovirus-infected mice has been influenced by micronutrient deficiency although it alone could significantly reduce the median survival time. The premature death could be explained by dysregulation of the immune system and generation of free radicals. Dysfunction of T-cell and B-cell mitogenesis from primary cultured splenocytes has been observed with retrovirus infection and micronutrient deficiency in synergism. There was an abnormal shift of cytokine pattern that was designated by the decreased secretion of Th1 cytokines and increased secretion of Th2 cytokines. The hepatic vitamin E level was significantly decreased by retrovirus infection and micronutrient deficiency, in accordance with the increased hepatic lipid peroxidation level. This study suggests that micronutrient deficiency may accelerate premature death during progression to murine AIDS, implying that nutritional application would be the first line to consider for retarding the progression from HIV infection to AIDS.