"We evaluated microbial translocation, immune activation and recovery in a cohort of HIV+ children in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia pre and post supplementation with an aloe enriched whey protein drink. One hundred and twenty HIV+ children between the ages of four and eleven were enrolled into this twelve-week randomized and blinded clinical trial. Intestinal mucosal barrier integrity was assessed using intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and soluble CD14 (sCD14). Flow cytometry was used to identify T-cell subsets and quantify markers of immune activation and cellular proliferation. Other outcome measures included anthropometric measurements (weights, heights, mid upper arm circumference (MUAC), CD4 counts, viral loads, liver panels and creatinine levels. Results - Gains in height and weight were noted in both the intervention and iso-caloric control groups but did not reach significance in between group analysis. Both groups noted significant decreases in levels of sCD14 (p = 0.0009 in control vs 0.0001 in Aloe/Whey group) and significant increases in proliferating naïve CD4 T-cells (p = 0.003 in control vs 0.007 in the Aloe/Whey group). The interventions were well tolerated, and no significant adverse events reported."--Page ii.
Read
