New evidence for role of glutathione in HIV infection

Abstract

Glutathione may be one of the keys to a strong immune system in patients with AIDS. This finding has many clinical implications for patients, as it suggests that certain glutathione-depleting drugs should be avoided, and that the glutathione prodrug acetylcysteine may be able to boost the immune system of particular patient groups. The latest evidence supporting such a role for glutathione was presented at the Joint Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, the American Association of Immunologists and the Clinical Immunology Society [ San Francisco, US; February 1997 ].