Health Report

by Tony Maynard, Positive Living Victoria & Author Unknown

(The Gender Centre advise that this article may not be current and as such certain content, including but not limited to persons, contact details and dates may not apply. Where legal authority or medical related matters are cited, responsibility lies with the reader to obtain the most current relevant legal authority and/or medical publication.)

Hydroxyurea (new option)

Hydroxyurea (HU), a drug which has been approved for the treatment of leukemia for years, may have an important new role to play as an anti-H.I.V. agent. Unlike agents which target enzymes in HIV itself, HU may not be especially potent against H.I.V., but in combination with ddl there is mounting evidence of synergism. That is, the effect of the drugs is enhanced when they are used together; HU may lessen the problems associated with drug resistance. Because it targets a cellular enzyme rather than the virus, no viral mutations occur even after repeated exposures to the drug. Combined with ddl, HU decreases viral replication so dramatically that there is less virus to mutate.

The use of HU, however, is associated with serious side effects. Its use can cause bone marrow suppression. Careful and continued monitoring by your doctor, then, is strongly advised if you are thinking of taking up this option. People with low C.D.4 counts and depressed white cell counts should not take it.

A study of 12 patients reported a median C.D.4 improvement of no over 90 days. All patients were asymptomatic starting with a median C.D.4 count of 343 - Viral load declined by 98% in 6 of the 12 patients, and in the other 6, viral load fell to undetectable levels.

The good news is that HU is not an experimental drug as it's already available in this country, the brand name being Hydrea. All you need to get it is a prescription from your doctor. It is hoped that doctors will no longer rely on single drug use therapy, but begin to combine, such as HU with ddl, in an effort to benefit the patient,

Herbal Trial

A Sydney trial will evaluate the effectiveness of a herbal combination called K.M.1 as an immune booster in people with H.I.V. The herbal mix is a fluid made up of Echinacea, St. John Wart, Eleuthrococcus and Huang Qi.

The trial, coordinated by Sydney naturopath Jan Kneen-McDaid, spans six months. 100 participants will receive the herbal formulation and 100 will receive a placebo. The trial coordinators are keen to involve a diverse range of people with H.I.V., particularly women, indigenous and ethnic groups and injecting drug users. Participants are required to attend a monthly visit and have three monthly blood tests. The trial organizers hope that the simple structure of the trial will make involvement easy. Country and interstate participants have been made welcome.

Echinacea is commonly used in herbal therapies due to its immune enhancing properties. The benefits of echinacea in people with H.I.V. have not been demonstrated in scientific trials to date.

Elenthrococcus senticosus is a herbaceous shrub native to eastern Russia, China, Korea, and Japan. Research has shown that it increases resistance to stress and fatigue and the body's resistance to the effects of viruses and bacteria.

St John's Wart contains hypericum and pseudohyperium which have antiviral properties. Studies with this herb in people with H.I.V. have so far proved inconclusive.

The fourth ingredient to the K.M.1 mixture is Huang Qi or astrogalus membranosus. This herb is used to treat excessive sweating and promote healing and tissue repair. Chinese research indicates that it stimulates some immune system cells.

For more information: Jan Kneen-McDaid phone (02) 9552 2243

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