SUNLIGHT-INDUCED PROGRESSION OF AIDS

Authors
Citation
V. Vincek, SUNLIGHT-INDUCED PROGRESSION OF AIDS, Medical hypotheses, 44(2), 1995, pp. 119-123
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Journal title
ISSN journal
03069877
Volume
44
Issue
2
Year of publication
1995
Pages
119 - 123
Database
ISI
SICI code
0306-9877(1995)44:2<119:SPOA>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation in sunlight damages the cutaneous immune system of individuals primarily by converting trans-urocanic acid (UC A) to its cis isoform which in turn instigates excessive local, and ev entually systemic, levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha). UVB radiation and TNF alpha have been found to activate HIV from the l atent state, and TNF alpha has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several manifestations of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AID S). We hypothesize that the immunosuppressant properties of TNF alpha and cis-UCA, released by intense sun exposure, can accelerate the onse t and progression of AIDS in HIV-infected individuals.