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Background: Over the past few years a series of research projects has shown that the scant or deficient immune response in HIV infection may be secondary to reduced cell resistance and/or the uncontrolled formation of free radicals. In line with these findings, subjects with HIV infection present a deficit of polyunsaturated fatty acids (the principal components of cell membranes) and many antioxidating substances, like Vitamin E and glutathione peroxidase. The high incidence of heterosexual transmission of HIV has now shown the close correlation between HIV infection and HPV infection. By analogy, we wanted to ascertain whether these deficits were also present in subjects with HPV infection and dysplastic and neoplastic lesions of the uterine cervix. Published data confirm that a HPV-positive subject has an increased risk, ranging from 40 to 200%, of contracting HIV infection., Methods: Eighty women with HPV infection of the genital tract, at various stages. Blood levels of vitamin E and polyunsaturated fatty acids were measured using gas-chromatography; glutathione was assayed using the spectrophotometric technique., Results: The alternation of the aforesaid parameters is correlated to the progress of infection and increases with the severity of lesions; Statistically significant data were recorded by comparing the group with condylomatosis with patients diagnosed with cervical carcinoma (p<0.001)., Conclusions: The increased possibility that some patients are affected by an association of HPV and HIV depends on the anomalous or scarce function of many immunocompetent cells, as well the quantitative immune deficiency induced by the initial virus and the presence of various mechanisms that facilitate the development of the infection.

Plasma levels of vitamin E (Vit E), polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids (PUFA-PL), lipoperoxides as well as erythrocytes glutathione peroxidase activity (GSH-Px), were evaluated in 200 migrants coming from developing countries, some of which at high risk for serious infective diseases. HIV-1 and syphilis infections were also investigated. 114 subjects (57%) had blood levels of Vit E, PUFA-PL and GSH-Px significantly lower (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.01) than those of normal healthy individuals (n = 30), while lipoperoxides values were unchanged. 8 from this group were found to be HIV-1 positive, and 5 TPHA positive. In contrast, the remaining 86 migrants did not show any signs of infections and their blood parameters were normal enough. These results show that factors such as widespread poverty, inadequate housing, malnutrition, insufficient access to medical care, psychological stress are strictly correlated to the reduction of blood parameters which are critical for the normal cell function of mammalian cells. PUFA-PL deficiency may cause lesions likely due to faulty cellular membranes. The lack of Vit E and GSH-Px, which are considered major protective molecules against lipoperoxidation damage in vivo, has been involved in several human diseases. We suggest that low blood levels of Vit E, GSH-Px and particularly PUFA-PL may play a pathogenetic role in the onset and development of AIDS and other infections. In this connection, we have found that a deficiency of these blood parameters occurs in patients with AIDS (n = 50) and in 32% of HIV seronegative intravenous drug abusers (n = 100).

Plasma levels of vitamin E (vit E) and polyunsatured fatty acids of phospholipids (PUFA-PL) as well as erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity are significantly lower (p less than 0.001) in patients HIV sero-positive (AIDS and ARC cases) both affected and not affected with seborrheic dermatitis and in 32% of HIV sero-negative intravenous drug abusers (IVDA, A subgroup) than in controls. The deficiency of PUFA-PL (mainly C20:3 n-6, C20:4 n-6 and C22:6 n-3) which is associated with a significant increase (p less than 0.001) of saturated palmitic and stearic acids and monounsaturated oleic acid, cannot be correlated to an active lipoperoxidative process. In fact the levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive materials (TBA-RM) are not increased in the plasma of HIV sero-positive patients and A subgroup of IVDA. It is likely that the reduction of PUFA-PL is due to an inhibition of hepatic microsomal desaturase enzymes (delta 6 desaturase, delta 5 desaturase, delta 4 desaturase) which are involved in both n-6 and n-3 pathways. Since IVDA represent, and not only in Italy, a major risk category for HIV infection, we suggest that reduced blood levels of vit E, GSH-Px and particularly PUFA-PL may be added to the list of risk factors favouring the onset and the development of AIDS.

The biochemical features of lipid metabolism in multiple sclerosis are discussed and the contribution made by work on the aetiopathogenesis of the disease is illustrated. Reference is made to diagnostic tests (E-UFA and MEM tests), whose premisses are based on lipid metabolism. A link between biochemical and immunological research in this field is put forward.