Restored Antioxidant Capacity Parallels the Immunologic and Virologic Improvement in Children with Perinatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy

CD3+CD4+ T-lymphocyte numbers, viral load, and serum antioxidant capacity were evaluated in 20 children with perinatal human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection one month (T = −1) and one day (T = 0) before and one month (T = 1) and two months (T = 2) after a treatment switch to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Antioxidant capacity (μmol/L) was evaluated by measuring the cuprous ion deriving from a known amount of cupric ion. Compared to control values (998 ± 113 μmol/L), values in HIV-infected children were lower before HAART (T = −1, 848 ± 211 μmol/L, P = 0.008; T = 0, 732 ± 131 μmol/L, P < 0.0001), but similar during HAART (T = 1, 914 ± 121 μmol/L, P = 0.089; T = 2; 957 ± 155 μmol/L, P = 0.528; T = 1 and T = 2 vs T = 0, P < 0.0001). Immunologic and virologic improvement paralleled the restored antioxidant capacity. HAART may restore antioxidant capacity suppressing HIV, which inhibits antioxidant capacity. A positive feedback may be triggered since restored antioxidant capacity counterbalances the oxidative stress, which enhances lymphocyte apoptosis and HIV replication.