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New Compound May Fight HIV

Study in mice finds added benefit from cholesterol-reducing agent

THURSDAY, April 30 (HealthDay News) -- Drugs that stimulate
cells to release cholesterol might prove effective in fighting the
HIV virus, which causes AIDS, a new study suggests.

George Washington University researchers tested a compound
called TO-901317 in mice and found that the treatment restored
cholesterol outflow from HIV-infected scavenger cells (macrophages)
and white blood cells (lymphocytes). Release of cholesterol from
these cells had been greatly inhibited by HIV.

The study also found that the compound "potently suppressed
HIV-1 in both cell types," and this anti-HIV effect led to
significant reductions of HIV levels in the mice.

The findings were to be presented Thursday at the American Heart
Association's conference in Washington, D.C., on
arteriosclerosis, thrombosis and vascular biology.

People with HIV face an increased risk of atherosclerosis, which
leads to coronary artery disease and heart attack, according to
background information in a news release from the Heart
Association. The researchers said that the findings suggest a new
approach to reducing infectivity and lowering cholesterol levels in
people with HIV.

Drugs such as TO-901317 "may provide a double benefit to
HIV-infected patients by reducing HIV replication and preventing
the development of atherosclerosis with HIV infection," they
said.

More information

The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
has more about HIV treatment.

LINK: http://www.forbes.com/feeds/hscout/2009/04/30/hscout626491.html