Oxandrolone and HGH prevent HIV to improve performance

Chronic wasting syndrome, defined by a significant and unintentional weight loss, can occur in people with HIV/AIDS. There are many reasons why it happens including reactions to medications, lack of appetite, nausea, diarrhea and oral sores that make gaining or maintaining weight difficult. Whatever the cause, however, it's vitally important to help reverse the effects for the life of the patient.

People who suffer from chronic wasting often experience an increased progression of the infection and often a decrease in quality of life. Wasting is a form of malnutrition and it leaves the body more susceptible to the effects of the HIV/AIDS, infections and other complications because is can weaken the immune system. If left untreated it can often lead to a quicker death.

Often the first steps used to help reverse or at least stop the loss of lean body mass include nutritional programs, appetite stimulants and exercise programs. The problem is that they don't always work for HIV/AIDS patients. That's when HIV/AIDS patients and their physicians can turn to anabolic steroids for help.

Oxandrolone has been approved by the FDA to help counteract chronic wasting caused by other illnesses, so it's a logical leap to use it for AIDS-related chronic wasting as well. Right now, it's not a mainstream treatment because studies have shown that the most effective dosages for AIDS-related chronic wasting are higher than the FDA approved dosages, but it is beginning to show great benefits to its users.

Here's how anabolic steroids do the job needed to counteract the effects of wasting: One of the natural effects of anabolic steroids is its promotion of cell growth and tissues. People suffering from chronic wasting experience substantial loss of body tissues including both muscle and fat. When used properly, anabolic steroids can help increase the re-growth of muscle tissues and therefore, an overall increase in lean body mass.

Another effect of HIV/AIDS which is related to chronic wasting is lipodystrophy. Lipodystrophy is not necessarily a loss of weight, but rather a redistribution of fat in the body. Often what happens is that fat gathers at the back of the neck and around the abdomen and fat is often lost in the face, arms and legs. It can also lead to diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia and liver problems.

Anabolic steroids do not directly treat lipodystrophy. In fact, there aren't many treatment options for it. Steroids do, however, tend to help with the physical effects by reducing the fatty deposits caused by lipodystrophy.

Growth hormone therapy in adults:
The syndrome of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD) is characterized by abnormal fat and muscle mass composition, dyslipidemia, decreased bone mineral density, exercise capacity, and quality of life. AGHD can be a continuation of childhood GHD or result from hypothalamic or pituitary damage. An increase in mortality is seen in these patients attributed to cardiovascular risk factors. It is unclear if these risk factors are exclusively due to GHD or a result of reduced quality of life and sedentary lifestyle. Daily HGH injections to treat AGHD are associated with improvements in body composition, muscle strength, bone density, cardiovascular markers, and quality of life. Fluid retention is an adverse effect of GH therapy in adults and may cause symptoms of edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthralgias, and myalgias. Glucose intolerance and possibly Type 2 DM may also develop during treatment.

HIV-associated wasting is linked to alterations in the GH-IGF-1 axis and can be improved with GH treatment. HIV wasting is defined as unintentional loss of body weight and lean body mass in patients infected with HIV. Other treatments for HIV-associated wasting include testosterone and anabolic steroids which increase fat mass but not lean body mass. Increases in lean body mass correlate with improved survival. Clinical trials have shown improvements in weight, lean body mass, and decreases in fat mass when patients are treated for 12 weeks with HGH.

HGH is often abused in combination with anabolic steroids to increase muscle strength and athletic performance. The illicit use of androgen's is seen not only in athletes, but is now being used by a significant number of adults between the ages of 35 and 60 to get rid of love handles and build muscle as they try to stay young, as prescriptions for human growth hormone have become more frequent from "anti-aging" clinics. Adolescent boys feeling pressure from society to increase muscle mass and do better at sports are also increasing their use, and competitive athletes who might be tested for steroid use often turn to HGH to improve performance.

How to Stop Weight Loss While HIV Positive people

HIV-positive people often experience rapid weight loss, commonly referred to as wasting. Wasting happens to people both on and off HIV medications. People experiencing wasting can lose 5 to 10 percent or more of their total body weight in just six months. Not all of the weight lost is body fat. In fact, large portions of lost mass can come from tissue and muscle. Keep in mind that each person's body responds differently to HIV and some will still experience weight loss despite their best efforts to prevent it. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) by destroying CD4+ "helper T cells". In healthy individuals, helper T cells organize immune responses that protect the body from infection. When HIV invades the human system, it binds to co-receptors (typically CXCR4 or CCR5) on the surfaces of CD4+ cells and macrophages and introduces viral genetic material into these cells.

Once HIV has gained entry into the host cell, viral RNA is reverse transcribed into viral DNA and combines with the DNA of the host cell—so as the infected cell replicates, so, too, does the virus. Reverse transcription from viral RNA to viral DNA is a target for some antiviral drugs. As CD4+ cell levels become depleted with advancing HIV infection, viral replication within macrophages, dendritic cells and other cell types sustains viral load. HIV can be categorized based on its interaction with surface co-receptors during attachment and entry into host cells. Three primary entry methods comprise a large percentage of HIV cases – R5, which utilizes the receptor CCR5 to gain entry, X4, which uses the CXCR4 co-receptor, and X4R5, which uses both.

Given the dependency upon these cell-surface co-receptors for entry, some strains of HIV are unable to infect individuals who harbor mutations in the gene encoding the co-receptor. These people are resistant to the subtype(s) of HIV that would normally utilize a wild-type receptor to gain entry into host cells.

Make sure you're eating, at minimum, enough calories to maintain your weight. Also take into account additional calories you burn through exercise. Talk to your doctor about appetite-enhancing drugs that can counter the appetite-suppressing effects of many HIV medications. Try multiple small meals and snacks throughout the day if you have trouble finishing the regular three meals. Work with your doctor to find the right HIV medication regimen. Opt for one that controls your disease progression with the fewest side effects. HIV medications, and HIV itself, can cause diarrhea, vomiting, mouth sores and side effects that limit your ability to eat foods or absorb nutrients. Sometimes tweaking medications or adding new ones to your treatment plan can help with side effects.

Weight lift or do strength-training exercises at least two to three times per week. These activities will help build up muscle tissue and prevent muscle loss associated with wasting. Work each major muscle group, including your arms, legs, back, chest, shoulders and abdominal muscles. Never work the same muscle group two days in a row to help prevent muscle injury. Even lifting very small weights at home can help. Talk to a counselor or therapist about your feelings associated with your illness. HIV patients often experience depression, which can contribute to a loss of appetite or disinterest in taking good care of yourself. Work with your therapist to develop a treatment plan that may include medications, coping strategies, group therapy and support groups.
Consider prescription treatments that build up muscle strength and tissue. Ideal medications will also prevent muscle and tissue loss, according to the Tufts University School of Medicine. Treatments include steroids, testosterone injections and human growth hormone. Talk to your doctor to see if one or more of these treatments has benefits that outweigh their risks.

AIDS wasting, which leads to significant weight loss in people with HIV, causes severe loss of weight and muscle and can lead to muscle weakness, organ failure and shortened lifespan. Researchers have long sought to reverse this common, destructive effect of HIV with mixed success. The wasting stems from loss of the body’s ability to grow muscle and from low levels of testosterone. Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances similar to the male sex hormone testosterone that promote growth of skeletal muscle and the development of male sexual characteristics.

Although most recently in the news for their misuse by professional athletes, anabolic steroids have legitimate medical application for men with low testosterone and people with certain types of anemia. Two anabolic steroids available in the United States, Nandrolone Decanoate and Oxandrolone, have been used to help increase weight and muscle mass in small studies of people with wasting.  Conversely, anabolic steroid use has been associated with increased rates of HIV in those who share needles or use non sterile needles when they inject steroids.

In the review studies, anabolic steroids were administered to patients either orally or by injection. The main side effects were mild and included abnormal liver function tests; acne; mild increase in body hair; breast tenderness; increased libido, aggressiveness and irritability; and mood swings — all common side effect of anabolic steroid use. “The risks and side effects of taking anabolic steroids long-term are certainly of concern,” Johns said. “We were unable to assess these risks in our review due to the short duration of treatment in the studies.”

Wayne Dodge, the HIV/AIDS program director at the Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, suggests that clinicians should obtain blood testosterone levels, “if an HIV-infected individual has had significant weight loss, significant fatigue or muscle wasting, and particularly if associated with a significant decrease in libido and erections. If testosterone is in the low or low-normal range then a trial of steroids could be tried. The individual and the clinician should decide what result would constitute a successful trial: weight gain of 15 pounds, a 30 percent improvement in sense of well-being or a successful erection once a week.”

Use of Anabolic Steroids in Patients Who Have HIV/AIDS

Of the 3 orally active anabolic steroids, Oxandrolone has been studied in HIV-infected patients more extensively than has Oxymetholone. Stanozolol is used for the treatment of hereditary angioedema and has not been used for its anabolic effect in this patient population to any great extent. Use of the steroid oxandrolone is associated with significant gains in weight and body cell mass in HIV-positive men who had experienced HIV-related wasting, according to an American study published in the March edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes. However, although the steroid increased muscle mass, it did not improve endurance and caused side-effects, including an increase in levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and elevations in liver enzymes. Unintentional loss of just 3% of body weight has been associated with poorer survival in HIV-positive individuals. Although the use of antiretroviral therapy has led to a significant decrease in the prevalence of unintended weight loss, it is still common, even amongst people taking HIV treatment.

One of the earlier studies of Oxandrolone in HIV-infected patients was begun before the introduction of the PIs. Sixty-three HIV-infected men with a loss of body weight greater than 10% were randomized to receive placebo; Oxandrolone, 5 mg/d or Oxandrolone, 15 mg/d. The patients who received 15 mg/d of oxandrolone gained weight throughout the 16-week period, whereas those who received 5 mg/d of Oxandrolone maintained their weight. In contrast, the patients who received placebo continued to lose weight.

In a follow-up study, which has not yet been published, patients were randomized to placebo or to 1 of 3 dosages of Oxandrolone - 20 mg/d, 40 mg/d or 80 mg/d (C. Grunfeld, unpublished data, 1998). The patients in the group who received 40 mg/d had the most statistically significant weight gain. However, both the patients in this group and those who received 80 mg/d showed significant increases in serum levels of liver transaminases.

A study published in 1999 sought to determine whether a regimen of supra physiologic doses of androgen (testosterone) plus an anabolic steroid (Oxandrolone) would improve the LBM and strength gains achieved with progressive resistance exercise in HIV-infected men who had experienced weight loss. A second objective of the study was to determine whether antiretroviral therapy with a PI prevented lean body anabolism.

All subjects in the study participated in supervised progressive resistance exercise for 8 weeks. At the same time, they received testosterone, 100 mg/wk, by intramuscular injection. Twenty-four eugonadal men were then randomized to either placebo or Oxandrolone, 20 mg/d. Twenty-two patients completed the study. The results indicated that compared with patients who received placebo, those who received Oxandrolone experienced improved nitrogen balance (P = .05); increased LBM (P = .005); and increased muscle strength, as judged by either maximum weight lifted (P = .02 to .05) or dynamometry (P = .01 to .05). The results were similar regardless of whether the patients were taking a PI. However, compared with placebo, Oxandrolone was associated with a statistically significant decrease in blood levels of high-den-sity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P < .001).

Because all patients in the study participated in progressive resistance training and received testosterone, only an additive effect of Oxandrolone versus placebo was being determined. Therefore, the study appears to be valid even though the number of patients enrolled was small. On the other hand, had the design of the study called for dividing the patients into multiple groups, so that not all patients received testosterone or participated in progressive resistance exercise, the number of patients required to reach statistical significance would have been much higher.

The conclusions that can be drawn from the study are that Oxandrolone  20 mg/d, added to a program consisting of both progressive resistance exercise and physiologic doses of testosterone improved the anabolic and functional responses in patients who showed HIV-related weight loss.

Only 1 study of Oxymetholone in HIV-infected patients has been reported. This study was a nonblinded pilot trial that was completed in Germany and reported in 1996. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either Oxymetholone (14 patients) or Oxymetholone plus ketotifen (16 patients). Ketotifen is an H1-receptor antagonist (ie, antihista- mine) that has been shown to block tumor necrosis factor a. The patients receiving the medications under study were compared with 30 matched control patients who met the same inclusion criteria, such as advanced HIV infection and chronic cachexia. On completion of the twelve-week double-blind phase of the study, all the patients were offered the option of remaining on the study for a further twelve weeks and receiving an open label 20mg Oxandrolone dose a day. By the end of this period, there were no differences in weight between patients and liver function ceased to be significantly different from baseline.

Although the investigators note that treatment with the steroid was generally “well tolerated” they note that over 5% of patients had moderate or severe increases in levels of liver enzymes and that “LDL levels decreased and HDL levels increased.”

Human growth hormone to the treatment of the wasting syndrome of HIV/AIDS

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a naturally occurring polypeptide hormone secreted by the pituitary gland and is essential for body growth. Daily secretion of HGH increases throughout childhood, peaking during adolescence, and steadily declining thereafter. In 1985, synthetic HGH was developed and approved by the FDA for specific uses. However, it is commonly abused by athletes, bodybuilders, and aging adults for its ability increase muscle mass and decrease body fat, as well as its purported potential to improve athletic performance and reverse the effects of aging.

Several FDA-approved injectable HGH preparations are available by prescription from a supervising physician for clearly and narrowly defined indications. In children, HGH is approved for the treatment of poor growth due to Turner’s syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and chronic renal insufficiency, HGH insufficiency/deficiency, for children born small for gestational age, and for idiopathic short stature. Accepted medical uses in adults include but are not limited to the treatment of the wasting syndrome of HIV/AIDS and HGH deficiency. Dependent on the clinical presentation, pediatric dosages range from 24-100 microgram/kilogram/day and adult dosages from 0.9-25 microgram/kilogram/day, dependent on product. The FDA-approved injectable formulations are available as liquid preparations, or as powder with a diluent for reconstitution.

Using recombinant DNA technology, two forms of synthetic HGH were developed, Somatropin and Somatrem. Somatropin is identical to the endogenous pituitary-derived HGH, whereas Somatrem has an extra amino acid on the N-terminus. Both synthetic forms have similar biological actions and potencies as the endogenous HGH polypeptide. Synthetic HGH also is chemically indistinguishable from the naturally occurring hormone in blood and urine tests.

HGH binds to growth hormone receptors present on cells throughout the body. HGH functions to regulate body composition, fluid homeostasis, glucose and lipid metabolism, skeletal muscle and bone growth, and possibly cardiac functioning. Sleep, exercise, and stress all increase the secretion of HGH.

The use of HGH is associated with several adverse effects including edema, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain, muscle pain, and abnormal skin sensations (e.g., numbness and tingling). It may also increase the growth of preexisting malignant cells, and increase the possibility of developing diabetes.

HGH is administered by subcutaneous or intramuscular injection. The circulating half-life of HGH is relatively short half-life (20-30 minutes), while its biological half-life is much longer (9-17 hours) due to its indirect effects.

Human growth hormone is illicitly used as an anti-aging agent, to improve athletic performance, and for bodybuilding purposes. It is marketed, distributed, and illegally prescribed off-label to aging adults to replenish declining hGH levels and reverse age-related bodily deterioration. It is also abused for its ability to alter body composition by reducing body fat and increasing skeletal muscle mass. It is often used in combination with other performance enhancing drugs, such as anabolic steroids. Athletes also use it to improve their athletic performance, although the ability of HGH to increase athletic performance is debatable.

Athletes, bodybuilders, and aging adults are the primary abusers of HGH. Because the illicit use of synthetic HGH is difficult to detect, its use in sports is believed to be widespread. Over the past few years, numerous professional athletes have admitted to using HGH. Bodybuilders, as well as celebrities also purportedly use it for its ability to alter body composition. Aging adults looking to reverse the effects of aging are increasingly using synthetic HGH.

Muscle Pain or Myositis in HIV-infected persons

HIV-infected patients may present with muscle pains. It is important to examine

Muscle problems in HIV-infected persons include idiopathic polymyositis, polymyositis secondary to AZT toxicity, and pyomyositis. Weakness in the shoulder or hip girdle muscles, along with an elevated level of creatine phosphokinase (CPK) or aldolase or both, suggests polymyositis. AZT-induced polymyositis is similar to the idiopathic form, with muscle weakness, elevated CPK levels, and on muscle biopsy, myofibril necrosis with scant inflammation. In most cases, the patient improves gradually when AZT is discontinued, and the CPK level returns to normal.

Pyomyositis refers to solitary or multiple muscle abscesses that are not formed by local extension from superficial subcutaneous tissue. Although originally reported only in tropical climates, a number of cases were more recently described recently in North America, usually in healthy subjects but also in immune compromised hosts. The quadriceps muscle is most commonly involved, and 75% of patients have a single abscess.

Patients present initially with fever, and localized muscle pain. If the abscess is not deep in the muscle, redness, swelling, and a gradually developing woody induration may occur. If a painful area is found in a muscle during a physical examination, ultrasound, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging is helpful in identifying and localizing the abscess or abscesses and in providing guidance during needle aspiration for identification of the pathogenic organism. S. aureus is responsible for the infection in the majority of cases, although a number of other bacteria have been recovered, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis. After the area of the infection is defined, a diagnostic aspiration of the mass can be done under ultrasonic guidance. Systemic antibiotics usually cure a single small abscess, but large or multiple loculated abscesses often require surgical incision and drainage. Psoriatic arthritis with or without psoriasis occurs in HIV-infected persons. The prevalence of psoriasiform skin changes and psoriatic arthritis in HIV-infected persons probably is the same as that in non-HIV infected persons (1 to 2%), but the severity of the HIV-associated psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis tends to be worse. The foot and ankle are the most common, as well as the most severe, sites of inflammation in HIV-infected patients with psoriatic-like arthritis. Intense enthesopathy and dactylitis, especially in the feet, usually accompany the arthritis. The enthesopathy can be a major cause of disability. Frank synovitis and synovial effusions are less common, but can occur at the ankle and subtalar, metatarsal phalangeal, and interphalangeal joints of the feet. Sacroiliac and spine involvement may also occur. The radiologic appearance of these joints may mimic classic psoriatic arthritis, with "pencil and cup" deformities and osteolysis, even in the absence of frank psoriasis.

Nail involvement is a common presenting symptom of arthritis, especially in the distal interphalangeal joints of the hands and feet. Many patients with psoriatic skin manifestations or onycholysis have only these musculoskeletal findings and do not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis. Nail involvement occurs in most patients who present with inflammatory articular symptoms. There is a high clinical correlation between skin and joint involvement, and joints may develop erosive changes and crippling deformities. Patients with HIV infection and psoriatic arthritis fall into one of two patterns of disease: either the articular disease is sustained and aggressive, progressing to joint erosions, or it is characterized by mild and intermittent joint involvement.
It is unknown whether HIV-associated psoriatic syndromes are strictly analogous to idiopathic psoriatic arthritis in non-HIV infected patients. Evidence against this possibility is that none of the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles found in patients with idiopathic (non-HIV) psoriasis vulgaris or psoriatic arthritis (such as Cw6, B13, or B17) occur with greater frequency among HIV-infected patients with psoriatic-like arthritis.
The treatment of spondyloarthropathy in HIV-infected patients is similar to that for non-HIV infected patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as indomethacin (75 to 150 mg per day), can be used initially for the joint symptoms, but results have been disappointing. There are few data on second-line agents such as gold, methotrexate, and azathioprine. There are reports that phenylbutazone (100 mg 3 times per day) is an effective drug for this arthritis, and neutropenia has not been a problem even in patients receiving AZT concurrently.

Patients in whom psoriatic skin or joint disease does not respond to NSAIDs may be treated with phenylbutazone (100 mg 3 times a day) or sulfasalazine (1 to 2 g per day). Etretinate may also be helpful. The use of psoralen and pulsed UV actinotherapy (PUVA) has helped the skin and joints of some HIV-infected individuals with psoriatic arthritis.

At our institution, treatment of patients with severe arthritis with low doses of methotrexate (5 to 10 mg per week) has led to rapid (< 4 weeks) improvement in inflammatory joint symptoms as well as improvement in skin lesions. Methotrexate can be given until the skin and joint disease is under control, then slowly tapered by 2.5 mg per month, aiming for a maintenance dose of 5 mg per week. Patients must be monitored closely, because there are anecdotal reports of progressive immunodeficiency and opportunistic infections in HIV-infected individuals with Reiter's syndrome who are treated with methotrexate. Systemic glucocorticoid use is generally discouraged because of increased risk of infection, but intra-articular steroid injection (every 4 to 6 months) may provide substantial relief to individual arthritic joints.
the patient to determine whether weakness accompanies the pain, and whether the pain is generalized or localized to one muscle group; localized pain may be a sign of polymyositis, whereas generalized pain suggests a systemic process. It is also important to determine whether the patient is taking zidovudine (AZT), and whether the muscle pain began soon after initiation of the drug therapy.

HIV Positive - This Bodybuilder is Positive about Life

As Schwarzenegger wannabes pit muscle against muscle to win India’s top bodybuilding prize, among these combatants will be one individual who is competing against life itself. This is an inspiring story of the can-do spirit. He is HIV+ but he is also positive about life. If you meet Khundrakpam Pradipkumar Singh you might feel a tinge of sympathy about a man who might soon come to the end of the road. But for Khundrakpam the journey is just beginning. Even today there might not be a cure for the dreaded virus but this inspiring individual busts the myth that HIV+ means a date with mortality and despair. Pradipkumar, tested positive for HIV seven years ago. Today, seven years down the line he is a bodybuilder and one of the contenders for the Mr. India title. "I was into drugs and that is how I contracted the virus. There was pain, anguish and a deep sense of guilt. That is when I decided to channelize all my emotions into body building and maintaining a fitness level."He began bodybuilding in 2003 and along with retroviral therapy he turned to the gym. He won the state title in the 60kg category. Medals and title came his way and soon he was competing at the national level. A runner-up at the Senior Mr. India Challenge Cup provided him further motivation to look at the bigger horizon. For the ultimate national title in the sport, he has had to mortgage his sister’s gold jewelry to make the trip to Kolkata.
Khundrakpam summarizes his gung-ho spirit by saying,"I want to prove that HIV is not the end of the world. I want to be a role model for such patients and tell the world that WE CAN."His motivational journey has been recognized by his state government which made him the face of their AIDS campaigns as a brand ambassador. Despite being a household name in his state of Manipur, financial help has been difficult to come by. Though that has hindered his diet and preparations, it hasn’t blocked his vision and attitude.
Even as he has his sights set on winning the national crown he dreams of contributing to society one day.

Things about HIV/AIDS you didn’t know:
2.3 million people were HIV positive in India. The disease was found to be most prevalent in southern and northern states with Andra Pradesh and Manipur having the highest number of cases. HIV was more prevalent men than in women and was seen in people between 15-49 years of age. The good news here is that the survey found that the number of people infected with HIV has decreased by 50% in 2011. This World AIDS day, the theme is ‘Getting to Zero’ – zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS-related deaths. So in order to help us all move towards that goal here are eleven things about HIV/AIDS that you might not have known. HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. A person is termed to be HIV positive when they are found to be infected by this virus. As the disease progresses it eventually eats away at the immune system of the patient, causing a number of opportunistic infections to take hold along the way.  AIDS or Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease is a host of conditions that are associated with the loss of one’s immune system – according to the CDC when a person’s CD4 count is below 200 cells/mm3.  This is the most severe stage of the infection. HIV and AIDS are different and a person who is HIV positive does not necessarily have AIDS.

You probably knew that HIV originated in monkeys. But did you know that there are actually two types of HIV strains? Labeled as HIV 1 and HIV 2, these two strains have been found in chimpanzees and small African monkeys. HIV 1 is the more potent of the two strains and is what most commonly causes HIV infection.

Once a person is infected with HIV it takes at least 10 years for it to progress into AIDS. AIDS is the final or most severe stage of the disease when the immune system of the patient’s body has been compromised greatly. 

The symptoms of HIV/AIDS very often mimic the symptoms of other very common diseases like the common cold or flu. While a person infected with the virus may experience symptoms within 2-3 weeks of being infected it may take up to three months. There are also some people who may be absolutely asymptomatic. The common symptoms of the condition are fever, rash, chills, sore throat, rash, night sweats, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, muscle aches and ulcers in the mouth.

The test for HIV involves either testing your blood or your saliva for the presence of the antigen against HIV. The problem with this test was that it could not pick up the presence of the antigen you a patient’s body until he/she started producing antibodies to the virus, which usually takes about 12 weeks.  Recently a new test has been devised that tests for the presence of antibodies against the virus. This is far more accurate and one can get the test done as soon as they think they have been infected. All you have to do is go to a nearby testing center and check if you have been infected by giving a simple blood test. The test is not painful and is completed in about 10 minutes. Many people believe that if an HIV positive person cooks for them or somehow their blood is ingested they can contract the disease. This is not possible, because the HIV virus – for all the havoc it creates in our body – is extremely fragile and cannot survive outside a host. More importantly it is essential that blood containing the virus enter a person’s blood stream, this requires a deep injection directly into the blood vessels. Another fact to consider is the HIV virus cannot stand excessive heat. Even the heat generated by the sun damages it, so if one were to bleed into your food and cook it, you are highly unlikely to contract HIV. And finally everybody has a mucosal lining on the inside of our mouth and nose. So when we eat the HIV virus will not be able to infect a person.

Screening Tests for HIV Diagnosis and Treatment

If you're worried that you might have been exposed to human immunodeficiency virus ( HIV),  the virus that causes AIDS - it's important to get tested as soon as possible. Although the prospect of being diagnosed with the disease can be scary, today you can live a long and full life with HIV, especially if you start treatment early. Knowing you are infected can also help you take precautions so that you don't pass the virus to other people.

Several different tests are used to diagnose HIV infection. Other tests are used to select and monitor treatments in people who are living with HIV. This article covers both types of HIV tests.

You are at risk for HIV infection and should be tested for it if:
    You’ve had several sexual partners.
    You had unprotected sex with someone who is or could be HIV-positive.
    You have used injected drugs or steroids or shared needles or other equipment during drug use.
    You have had any sexually transmitted disease, including herpes, hepatitis, or TB.
    You have had sex for drugs or money.
    You’ve had sex with someone who has a history of any of the above - or with someone whose sexual history you don’t know.

There are several types of tests that screen blood (and sometimes saliva)  to see if you are infected with HIV.

Newer tests can detect the presence of HIV antigen, a protein, up to 20 days earlier than standard tests. This helps prevent spread of the virus to others and means an earlier start for treatment. It is done with a pinprick to the finger.

Here's a look at available HIV tests:

Standard tests. These blood tests check for HIV antibodies. Your body makes antibodies in response to the HIV infection. These tests can't detect HIV in the blood soon after infection because it takes time for your body to make these antibodies. It generally takes two to 8 weeks for your body to produce antibodies, but in some cases it can take up to six months.

In standard tests, a small sample of your blood is drawn and sent to a lab for testing. Some of the standard tests use urine or fluids that are collected from the mouth to screen for antibodies.

Rapid antibody tests. Most of these are blood tests for HIV antibodies. Some can detect antibodies in saliva. Results are available in under 30 minutes and are as accurate as standard tests.

Antibody/antigen tests. These tests are recommended by the CDC and can detect HIV up to 20 days earlier than standard tests. They check for HIV antigen, a part of the virus that shows up 2-4 weeks after infection. These tests can also detect HIV antibodies. A positive result for the antigen allows treatment to begin earlier and the patient to avoid infecting others. These are blood tests only.
 Rapid antibody/antigen test. One antibody/antigen tests delivers results in 20 minutes.

In-home test kits. These kits there are two available in the U.S. screen blood and saliva for HIV antibodies. You can buy them at your local store. The Home Access HIV-1 Test System requires a small blood sample that is collected at home and sent to a lab. The user, who may remain anonymous, can get results by phone in three business days. The Ora Quick In-Home HIV Test can detect HIV antibodies in saliva, if the antibodies are present (which can take up to 6 months). The user swabs the upper and lower gums of their mouths, places the sample in a developer vial, and can get results in 20-40 minutes. A follow-up test should be done if the result is positive.

HIV Screening Tests After Diagnosis:

While being treated for HIV, your doctor will perform several tests to monitor your health, determine when you need to start treatment, and check how well treatment is working. These include:

CD4 count. CD4 is a protein that lives on the surface of infection-fighting white blood cells called T-helper cells. HIV targets these immune cells.

To monitor the health of your immune system, your doctor will check your CD4 count -- the number of CD4 cells in a sample of blood. You should have your CD4 count tested every three to six months during treatment.

A normal CD4 count is more than 500 cells per cubic millimeter (mm3) of blood. The lower the CD4 count, the less your immune system is functioning, and the more likely you are to get infections. Your doctor will probably start treatment by the time a CD4 count is under 500 cells/mm3. If your CD4 count drops to below 200/mm3, you are said to have full-blown AIDS.

Viral load test. A viral load test measures how much of the HIV virus is in the blood. You want to have a low viral load because it means treatment is helping to control the virus. If your treatment is working effectively, the viral load should drop to an undetectable level in your blood.

You'll have your viral load tested two to four weeks after starting treatment, then every four to eight weeks until the viral load is no longer detectable. An undetectable viral load doesn't mean you're not infected just that the amount of HIV in the blood is too low for the test to pick up.

Risk of invasive pneumococcal disease remains high for people living with HIV

The risk of cancer is increased twofold for people with HIV compared to individuals in the general population, Danish investigators report in the online edition of AIDS. But the increased risk was almost entirely due to higher incidence of smoking-related cancers and also malignancies caused by viral infections. The risk of other cancers did not differ between the people with HIV and people who did not have HIV.

“In the present study we found that the increased risk of non-AIDS cancer was largely confined to cancers associated with smoking and viral infections,” write the authors. “The risk of cancers that are not considered strongly related to smoking or viral infections did not differ between the HIV-infected and the background population, and the impact of immune deficiency was limited.”

Non-AIDS-related cancers are an increasingly important cause of serious illness and death among people with HIV. The exact causes are uncertain. However, possible explanations include high rates of smoking, a high burden of viral co-infections such as hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human papillomavirus and immune suppression caused by HIV.

Investigators from Denmark wanted to establish the proportions of cancers in people living with HIV attributable to smoking, viral infections, and HIV-related immune suppression.

They therefore compared the incidence of cancer between people with HIV and matched controls in the general population. Results were stratified according to smoking status and immune deficiency. Cancers were categorised as smoking-related, virus-related or 'other'.

The HIV-positive population consisted of 3503 individuals who received care between 1995 and 2011. Their average CD4 count at baseline was 450 cells/mm3. At the time of inclusion in the study, 77% were taking HIV therapy and, for 92% of follow-up time, the people with HIV were taking antiretroviral therapy.

The control population consisted of 12,979 individuals. There were 157 cancer diagnoses among the people living with HIV compared to 255 diagnoses among the controls. The overall incidence of cancer was twice as high in people with HIV compared to the controls (IRR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.6-2.5).

The incidence of cancers related to viral infections was almost twelvefold higher in the HIV-positive population than in the HIV-negative controls (IRR = 11.5; 95% CI, 6.5-20.5). Incidence of smoking-related cancers was almost threefold higher among people with HIV (IRR = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.6-4.9). The risk of other cancers did not differ between the people living with HIV and the HIV-negative controls.

Incidence of smoking-related cancers associated with current smoking was significantly higher among the people living with HIV (IRR = 21.35; 95% CI, 2.88-158.5) than the controls (IRR = 4.12; 95% CI, 1.74-9.78). For the people with HIV, a lowest-ever (nadir) CD4 count below 200 cells/mm3 was associated with a more than threefold increase in the risk of lung cancer (IRR = 3.54; 95% CI, 1.00-12.59). No patients with a nadir CD4 count above 200 cells/mm3 developed a smoking-related cancer.

Smoking-related and virus-associated malignancies accounted for 23% and 43% of cancers diagnosed in the HIV-positive population. Virological cancers were rare in the controls. The fractions of all cancers in the HIV-positive population attributable to smoking and viral infections were 27% and 49%, respectively.

For cancer types considered associated with smoking, the proportion attributed to smoking was 91%. The proportion of virus-related cancers attributed to having HIV was also 91%.

For cancers not strongly related to smoking or viral infections, the proportion attributable to being HIV positive and immune deficiency were 0%.

Pain in people with HIV

Pain is experienced through a complex set of interactions between parts of the body where pain is located,  the central nervous system in the spine; and the brain. These interactions occur via signals that travel back and forth between these parts of the body to make a person aware of pain, its location and its intensity.

Types and levels of pain vary by individual and the respective stage of HIV infection.  Almost all people in very advanced stages of infection experience pain.

 The various types of pain include:
- Neuropathic pain: Pain that attacks the nervous system is very common, and felt by around 30 percent of people with AIDS. It particularly affects the feet, hands and face, and has a tingling, burning or numbing effect.
- Headaches: These vary in intensity and can result from a wide range of factors including muscle tension, stress, sinusitis, migraine, and infection of the nervous system.
- Gastrointestinal pain: This affects all areas of the digestive system including the throat, stomach and intestines. Mouth ulcers and cold sores also affect the lips which can make eating difficult.
- Chest pain: This can be caused by opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis and bacterial pneumonia.

Aside from creating discomfort and distress, pain can also be a major hindrance to living a productive, fulfilled life. People with HIV who experience pain may not be able to earn a living, care for their families, or take part in social activities to the extent they would were they not in pain. Friends and family too may have to divert time from other activities to care for their loved-one in pain. Pain and its effect on life can also lead to emotional problems such as depression and anxiety.

Pain relief should be seen as a vital component of HIV treatment itself. If painful side effects of antiretroviral drugs can be averted through effective pain control, people will be more inclined to adhere to their treatment, and will be able to stop the replication of HIV far more effectively. Additionally, a USA-based study found that people living with HIV who experienced pain were 50 percent less likely to attend their medical appointments. Assessment of pain should be carried out before and during the treatment of pain in order to effectively control the pain and amend the treatment, if necessary. The various assessments include physical checks that may identify a particular symptom as the cause of the pain; having the patient describe how and when pain is at its worst or best; and examining the patient’s medical and psychosocial history and background, including a history of substance use and abuse, that may influence subsequent treatment.

No one besides the individual can more accurately say how much pain someone is in and therefore the patient should be at the center of pain assessment:

When being assessed, patients can be asked to describe their pain intensity on a variety of scales including a 0-10 range with “0” being “No pain” and “10” being “Worst possible pain”; a descriptive scale with, for example, the patient describing their pain as “moderate” or “severe”; or simply on a line, with pain increasing further along the scale. Children or speakers of other languages may convey their pain by selecting from a series of illustrations depicting different levels of happiness or sadness.

The Brief Pain Inventory is widely used to assess pain. It asks patients not only to explain the location and intensity of pain, but also to describe how it interferes in seven areas of life including work, walking, mood and relations with others.

Growth hormone reduces liver fat in HIV-infected patients

In a preliminary study, HIV-infected patients with excess abdominal fat who received the growth hormone-releasing hormone analog Tesamorelin for 6 months experienced modest reductions in liver fat a theme issue on HIV/AIDS. Patients infected with HIV demonstrate a high prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, estimated at 30 percent to 40 percent. The issue is being released early to coincide with the International AIDS Conference.

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, abdominal fat accumulation is associated with ectopic (out of place) fat accumulation in the liver. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may progress to end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. To date, there are no approved pharmacological strategies to reduce liver fat. Takara L. Stanley of Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, and colleagues randomly assigned 50 antiviral-treated HIV-infected men and women with abdominal fat accumulation to receive Tesamorelin (n=28), or placebo (n=22), subcutaneously daily for 6 months.

The researchers found a modest but statistically significant decrease in liver fat with Tesamorelin. Hepatic lipid to water percentage (a measure of liver fat), decreased in the Tesamorelin group (median, -2.0 percent) compared with placebo (median, 0.9 percent). In addition, there was a significant reduction in abdominal fat: the average change was -9.9 percent with Tesamorelin vs 6.6 percent with placebo.

"The decrease in liver fat in this study suggests that strategies to reduce visceral adiposity merit further investigation in HIV-infected patients with NAFLD, a condition for which there are no approved treatments. Importantly, NAFLD is associated with visceral adiposity and other metabolic abnormalities in HIV," the authors write. AIDS is the sixth leading cause of death among people aged 25 - 44 in the United States. This is an improvement since it was the number one killer in 1995. At the end of 2010, an estimated 91,500 people in the UK were living with HIV. Of these, around 1 in 4 (22,000 in total) did not know they were infected.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 34 million people in the world are living with HIV. The virus is particularly widespread in sub-Saharan African countries, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
AIDS is caused by HIV infection. The virus attacks the immune system leaving the individual susceptible to life-threatening infections and cancers. Common bacteria, yeast, parasites, and viruses that usually do not cause serious disease in people with healthy immune systems can turn deadly for AIDS patients. HIV is found in all the body fluids including saliva, nervous system tissue and spinal fluid, blood, semen, pre-seminal fluid, which is the liquid that comes out before ejaculation, vaginal secretions, tears and breast milk. Only blood, semen, and breast milk have been shown to transmit infection to others. The virus is transmitted by sexual contact including unprotected oral, vaginal, and anal sex and via transfusion of contaminated blood that contains HIV.

Another mode of transmission is sharing needles or injections with HIV infected individuals. A pregnant woman can transmit the virus to her unborn baby through their shared blood circulation, or a nursing mother can transmit it to her baby in her breast milk. HIV infection does not spread by casual contact, mosquitoes, touching or hugging.
Those at highest risk include injection drug users who share needles, babies born to mothers with HIV (especially if the mother had not received anti- HIV therapy during pregnancy), those engaging in unprotected vaginal or anal sex with HIV positive individuals, and those who received blood transfusions or clotting products between 1977 and 1985 (before screening for HIV became standard practice).

HIV infection may cause no symptoms for a decade or longer. At this stage carriers may transmit the infection to others unknowingly. If the infection is not detected and treated, the immune system gradually weakens and AIDS develops. Acute HIV infection takes a few weeks to months to become a non-symptomatic HIV infection. Then it becomes early symptomatic HIV infection and later it progresses to AIDS.

Deca Durabolin used effectively to treat muscle wasting associated with HIV

Deca Durabolin is the brand name for an injectable steroid originally produced by Organon in 1962. It contains the active hormone Nandrolone with the Decanoate ester. The Nandrolone hormone is highly anabolic and produces very few side effects when used in reasonable doses, the Decanoate ester is a fatty acid which slows its release into the body over several weeks.

Nandrolone is technically a derivative of testosterone but it is created by removing the carbon atom at the 19th position of the steran nucleus, which creates a completely different family of steroids (the 19nor-testosterone family). It is one of the most versatile steroids on the market today, and can be used successfully in both bulking and cutting cycles, while in the clinical setting it has been used effectively to treat muscle wasting associated with HIV and AIDS. Deca Durabolin doesn’t produce many estrogenic side effects due to its low rate of aromatization (metabolic conversion to estrogen via the aromatase enzyme). Its ability to improve collagen synthesis and bone mineral content  is highly prized by bodybuilders and athletes who may have nagging injuries or joint pains.

But it’s not just Deca’s healing attributes which have made it such a popular steroid; bodybuilders and athletes have found Deca Durabolin to be one of the best all-around steroids for gaining lean mass and we see this played out in various clinical studies also. Muscle gained with this product is very solid with minimal bloat, as long as dosages are kept reasonable.

Because Deca Durabolin is so popular, that it’s important to note that it is considered a very long acting steroid, but the research is very inconsistent regarding just how long lasting it is. In healthy, normal, men one study found an average half-life of 8 days (but the range was from 5 to 17 days) at a dose of 50 mg, while another study found an average half-life of 5.9 days at a dose of 200 mg, another found an average of 7.7 days at a dose of 100 mg, and a final study  looked at showed an average of 7.1, 11.7, and 11.8 days depending heavily on the dose being either 50 mg, 100mg, or 150 mg, respectively.

In a practical sense, people will still shoot Deca once a week, but I thought it was important to show that typical half-life charts don’t factor in every single dose or dose response.

And, to further complicate things, the milligram per milliliter concentration and location of injection site heavily determines the actual blood plasma concentration achieved by a single shot of Nandrolone Decanoate: gluteal shots of Nandrolone Decanoate give you higher blood plasma levels of the parent hormone, and more highly concentrated preperations (mg/ml) also give you a higher overall blood level – and will probably provide better results, all things being equal.

Practical Use: Deca-Durabolin is easily the most versatile anabolic steroid on the market today (testosterone just misses that mark by virtue of the fact that women need to avoid it). It can be used in cutting cycles as well as bulking cycles, depending on the other compounds (and diet) one chooses.

Deca Duaraoblin Side Effects: Deca is one of the most mild steroids on the market in terms of side effects. Men who are very prone to hair loss will sometimes experience this with Deca-Durabolin, and gynecomastia is possible with higher doses. The most common side effect experienced with Deca-Durabolin is sexual dysfunction, although most users simply stack it with testosterone and avoid this entirely.

Used By: Because it’s so versatile, Deca-Durabolin is used by athletes, bodybuilders, and powerlifters alike. Women have found it to be mild enough to use at low doses, and many champion physiques of both genders have been built with its use. The only people who would be well advised to avoid Deca are drug tested athletes, as Nandrolone metabolites are detectable in urine for up to 18 months after the last injection.

Deca Durabolin Dosage: For men, an average dose of Deca-Durabolin is in the range of 200-600 milligrams. In women, 50 milligrams is a much more reasonable dose, although I have seen women go up to 100 milligrams without experiencing intolerable side effects.

Deca Duraboline Cycle: Deca-Durabolin works well with virtually every steroid. A good cutting cycle could include Deca, Winstrol, and testosterone – while a good bulking cycle could include Deca, Testosterone, and Anadrol.

Drug for reduction of abdominal fat in HIV patients may also reduce fatty liver disease

The only drug to receive FDA approval for reduction of the abdominal fat deposits that develop in some patients receiving antiviral therapy for HIV infection may also reduce the incidence of fatty liver disease in such patients. The International AIDS Conference - Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators report that daily injections of Tesamorelin significantly reduced fat in the liver without affecting glucose metabolism.

"Tesamorelin's ability to reduce liver fat in conjunction with the reduction of abdominal fat may be clinically important for patients with HIV infection who have fatty liver disease along with increased abdominal fat," says Steven Grinspoon of the MGH Neuroendocrine Unit and Program in Nutrition Metabolism, the study's senior author. "While some patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease have a benign course, others may develop a more serious condition involving liver inflammation, cellular damage and fibrosis, which can progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease or to liver cancer."

Between 30 and 40 percent of HIV-infected patients develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), often but not always in conjunction with lipodystrophy, the abnormal abdominal fat accumulation that develops in 20 to 30 percent of patients receiving antiretroviral drugs. Tesamorelin stimulates the body's release of growth hormone, which is reduced in HIV lipodystrophy and several studies by Grinspoon's team and others led to the 2010 approval of the drug to treat the lipodystrophy.

In designing the current study, the MGH team originally planned to further investigate tesamorelin's effects on abdominal fat with a secondary focus on fat in the liver and muscle, and on markers of inflammation and cardiovascular risk. But since several studies suggested a significant incidence of NAFLD in HIV-infected patients, the study's goals were broadened to focus on Tesamorelin's ability to reduce fatty deposits in the liver as well as abdominal fat in general. The study enrolled 48 adult patients who were receiving antiretroviral treatment for HIV and had developed excessive abdominal fat deposits. Participants were first randomized to receive daily injections of either Tesamorelin or a placebo. In addition, since growth hormone treatment can lead to increased blood sugar levels and reduced insulin sensitivity, half of those in each group also had a procedure that analyzes insulin secretion and resistance at the study's outset and at assessment sessions conducted at three months and at the end of the six-month study. The assessments also included comprehensive measures of factors related to HIV infection, lipid and glucose metabolism, along with analysis of abdominal fat by CT scan and of liver fat by MR spectroscopy.

At the end of the study period, participants receiving Tesamorelin had a significant, modestly sized decrease in liver fat along with the expected reduction in overall abdominal fat. Those receiving placebo treatment had increases in both measures. Although Tesamorelin treatment did appear to have reduced insulin sensitivity and raised blood sugar levels at the three-month assessment, by six months both measures had returned to levels observed at the study's outset, implying that the drug's impact on glucose metabolism was only temporary.

"Tesamorelin's neutral long-term effects on insulin sensitivity and glucose are important, since HIV patients with abdominal fat accumulation may have underlying insulin resistance, so it's important to know that won't be worsened by this treatment," says Grinspoon, a professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. "Since we know that liver fat is associated with inflammation in the liver, reducing it may result in less inflammation. Indeed levels of AST, a marker of liver inflammation, were reduced in response to tesamorelin in our study.

One of Favorites Anabolic Steroids and immune system

Primobolan is generally advised in case of men suffering from the deficiency of a hormone known as androgen in men. In some rare instances this drug has also been advised to treat a condition known as aplastic anaemia which is mainly characterised by the deficiency of blood cells. In some other instances it has been advised to counter the abnormal weight loss associated with certain disorders or following major trauma. It is illegal to obtain and use Primobolan without being prescribed by the doctor.
Primobolan has been advised for women suffering with breast cancer in some instances as it has been believed to aid in the reduction of the tumor size. The anabolic steroids such as Primobolan reduce the excretion of nitrogen from the tissue. This retention of nitrogen within the muscle tissues aids in the building of muscle mass to a certain extent. The muscle building effect may be present to a certain extent while no clear evidence about enhancement in athletic performance has been observed with the use of Primobolan.

Primobolan supposedly burns fat thereby reducing its amount in the body. This effect of Primobolan has increased its popularity among athletes who look at building a lean mass with less fat in their body. Further it has been stated that Primobolan prevents wasting of muscles and reverses the effects of anaemia. Anabolic steroids may enhance the formation of blood cells in some instances. In case of individuals suffering from chronic immune disorders such as AIDS, Primobolan has been advised as immune booster drug.

Being described as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s favorite steroid, Primobolan is widely abused in sports and bodybuilding. It is considered that it Primobolan builds strength with adding bulk to the muscles. Primobolan is generally more favoured by athletes as it helps them to maintain a lean body mass while improving the ability of the muscles to contract. Also it has been proposed that it is not associated with the common side-effects of other steroids such as acne, water retention, infertility and others. In case of body builders, it is used during the bulking or cutting cycles.

Chronic abuse of Primobolan is associated with a number of adverse effects. Providing a constant supply of synthetic steroids to the body can have a multitude of side-effects on the normal functioning of various organs in the body. The body regularly requires steroids at a controlled level and is generally produced within our body. Loading up the body with steroids though may provide benefit to a certain extent, the harmful effects always have an upper hand. Some of the major effects have been discussed below.
Effect on heart

Prolonged use of Primobolan has been associated with a wide number of effects both directly and indirectly on the heart. An increase in the blood pressure is commonly noted. Other effects such as abnormal changes in the cells and tissues of the heart and premature onset of heart related disorders are also noted in chronic abusers of anabolic steroids. Occurrence of stroke has been reported in anabolic steroid abusers. Other neurological symptoms such as mania, hallucinations, mood swings and depression have also been associated with the abuse of Primobolan.

Ingestion of high doses of Primobolan within short interval periods can result in vomiting and gastric irritation. Primobolan can alter the normal functioning of the liver resulting in the elevation of certain enzyme levels that can often be harmful. At times, it results in the increased incidence of jaundice in chronic abusers. Excessive use of anabolic steroids such as Primobolan can result in a condition called peliosis hepatitis. This abnormal condition of the liver is generally characterized by the formation of cysts (fluid filled cavities) in the liver. These cysts affect the liver function and at times result in liver failure which may lead to life threatening situations. The incidence of liver tumors is also noted to be increased in individuals who abuse Primobolan. Increased occurrence of cancer of the prostate gland has been noticed in anabolic steroid abusers. Prolonged use of Primobolan is associated with increased proliferation of the cells and tissues of the prostate gland, a condition commonly referred to as prostate hypertrophy.

HIV-1 and immune system

Of the two major types of HIV, only one, HIV-1, typically causes AIDS in infected people who don't receive treatment. A study published by Cell Press November 21st in the journal Immunity reveals how HIV-1 escapes detection by essentially becoming invisible to a patient's immune system, whereas HIV-2 triggers protective immune responses in patients. This understanding of how HIV-1's "invisibility cloak" works could lead to the development of effective vaccines against HIV-1.

"Our study shows for the first time exactly how immune cells sense the virus and how the virus uses one of its proteins to tune its stealthiness and infectivity," says senior study author Nicolas Manel of the Institut Curie. "We also show how to modify the virus so that it is properly recognized and leads to a beneficial immune response."

Individuals who are infected with both HIV-1 and HIV-2 do better than those infected with HIV-1 alone, suggesting that the immune response against HIV-2 protects against the effects of HIV-1 infection. While searching for an explanation in previous studies, Manel and his collaborators found that HIV-2, but not HIV-1, naturally infects and activates dendritic cells, which play a major role in triggering protective immune responses. But until now, it was not known how HIV is detected in dendritic cells.

In the new study, Manel and his team focused on the capsid—the protein shell of a virus that encloses its genetic material. By mutating HIV-1 and HIV-2 capsids, they discovered that these viral proteins control the ability of dendritic cells to sense the viruses and activate immune responses.

The researchers found that the HIV-1 capsid allows the virus to escape detection by dendritic cells under normal conditions. But when they mutated the HIV-1 and HIV-2 capsids, the dendritic cells produced immune responses without getting infected by the viruses. These cells relied on a protein called cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) to sense the viral DNA in the cytosol before the foreign DNA became integrated into the host genome.

These findings open new avenues for the development of effective treatments against HIV-1. "By modifying the capsid of a virus, we could engineer a virus that is both better recognized by the immune system and that has also lost its ability to infect cells," Manel says. "Beyond capsid-mutated viruses, our results suggest that activating the cGAS pathway in dendritic cells could induce immunity against HIV-1.

Anabolic steroids for the treatment of weight loss in HIV-infected people

Individuals with HIV infection often lose weight during the course of their disease. Furthermore, low serum concentrations of testosterone are common in individuals with HIV infection, particularly those with weight loss. Treatment of weight loss with anabolic steroids in HIV-infected individuals may be beneficial. Randomized controlled trials that compared the use of an anabolic steroid to placebo to treat weight loss in adults with HIV were included. Randomized controlled trials that compared the use of anabolic steroids to placebo for the treatment of weight loss in adults with HIV were selected. Change from baseline in lean body mass or in body weight was reported as on outcome measure.

Two reviewers independently assessed the trials for quality of randomization, blinding, withdrawals and adequacy of allocation concealment. For continuous data, weighted mean differences (WMD) were calculated. For dichotomous outcomes, risk differences, were calculated. Because of uncertainty as to whether consistent true effects exist in such different populations and treatments, the authors decided a priori to use random effects models for all outcomes.

Thirteen trials met the inclusion criteria. Two hundred ninety-four individuals randomized to anabolic steroid therapy and 238 individuals randomized to placebo were included in the analysis of efficacy for change from baseline in lean body mass. Three hundred forty-three individuals randomized to anabolic steroid and 286 randomized to placebo were included in the analysis of efficacy for change from baseline in body weight. The mean methodological quality of the included studies was 4.1, of a maximum 5 points. Although significant heterogeneity was present for both outcomes, the average change in lean body mass was 1.3 kg (95% CI: 0.6, 2.0), while the average change in total body weight was 1.1 kg (95% CI: 0.3, 2.0). A total of eight deaths occurred during the treatment period; four in the anabolic steroid treatment groups and four in the placebo-treatment groups (risk difference 0.00, 95% CI -0.03, 0.03). The risk difference for withdrawals or discontinuations of study medication due to adverse events was 0.00 (95% CI: -0.02, 0.03).

Although the results of the trials were heterogeneous, on average, the administration of anabolic steroids appeared to result in a small increase in both lean body mass and body weight as compared with placebo. While these results suggest that anabolic steroids may be useful in the treatment of weight loss in HIV infected individuals, due to limitations, treatment recommendations cannot be made. Further information is required regarding the long-term benefit and adverse effects of anabolic steroid use, the specific populations for which anabolic steroid therapy may be most beneficial and the optimal regime. In addition, the correlation of improvement in lean body mass with more clinically relevant endpoints, such as physical functioning and survival, needs to be determined. Testosterone has been demonstrated to increase muscle mass and lean body mass in testosterone-deficient but otherwise healthy men.
Individuals with HIV infection often lose weight and have low blood levels of testosterone; thus, the use of anabolic steroids in the treatment of weight loss in individuals with HIV infection may be beneficial.

The purpose of this review was to evaluate anabolic steroids as a means of treatment of weight loss in individuals with HIV infection.
However, the results were not consistent among individual trials and the average increase was small and may not be clinically relevant.
Furthermore, the results need to be interpreted with caution as this meta-analysis was limited due to small sample sizes, short duration of treatment and of follow-up; and heterogeneity of the study populations, the anabolic interventions, and concomitant therapies.
Furthermore, low serum concentrations of testosterone are common in individuals with HIV infection, particularly those with weight loss. Our objectives were to assess the efficacy and safety of anabolic steroids for the treatment of weight loss in adults with HIV infection. Androgen deficiency is a common endocrine abnormality among men and women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Low testosterone concentrations are associated with lower CD4 cell count, advanced stage of illness, medication use, and weight loss. Signs and symptoms may be nonspecific. The most useful laboratory indicator is the serum bio available (free) testosterone concentration. A number of different testosterone preparations for treatment of androgen deficiency in HIV-infected men now exist. Administration of testosterone significantly increases weight and lean body mass, energy, quality of life, and depression scores in HIV-infected men with low testosterone levels. Newer trans dermal and gel preparations provide more-consistent steady-state dosing but are not as well tested, and sufficient testosterone concentrations may not be achieved with their use. Androgen deficiency is also common among HIV-infected women. Preliminary studies suggest that use of physiological testosterone administration, to achieve testosterone levels within the normal range, is of benefit in HIV-infected women, but further studies are necessary to define the therapeutic role of androgen therapy in this population.

HIV and nutrition are intimately linked

HIV infection can lead to malnutrition, while poor diet can in turn speed the infection’s progress. As HIV treatment becomes increasingly available in the poorest parts of the world, critical questions are emerging about how well the drugs work in people if they are short of food. Uncertainty also surrounds the role of vitamins and other supplements. And for those already receiving treatment, side effects such as body fat changes are a daily concern.

Understandably, HIV positive people and those who care for them are interested in whatever might benefit their health. This article looks at what is known about the relationships between HIV and nutrition.  HIV and AIDS is well known for causing severe weight loss known as wasting. In Africa, the illness was at first called “slim” because sufferers became like skeletons. Yet body changes are not only seen during AIDS less dramatic changes often occur in earlier stages of HIV infection. Whereas starving people tend to lose fat first, the weight lost during HIV infection tends to be in the form of lean tissue, such as muscle. This means there may be changes in the makeup of the body even if the overall weight stays the same.

In children, HIV is frequently linked to growth failure. One large European study found that children with HIV were on average around 7 kg (15 lbs) lighter and 7.5 cm (3 inches) shorter than uninfected children at ten years old. One factor behind HIV-related weight loss is increased energy expenditure. Though no one knows quite why, many studies have found that people with HIV tend to burn around 10% more calories while resting, compared to those who are uninfected. People with advanced infection or AIDS (particularly children) may expend far more energy.

But faster metabolism is not the only problem. In normal circumstances, a small rise in energy expenditure may be offset by eating slightly more food 4 or taking less exercise. There are two other important reasons why people with HIV may lose weight or suffer childhood growth failure.

The first factor is decreased energy intake or, to put it simply, eating less food. Once HIV has weakened the immune system, various infections can take hold, some of which can affect appetite and ability to eat. For example, sores in the mouth or throat may cause pain when swallowing, while diarrhea or nausea may disturb normal eating patterns. Someone who is ill may be less able to earn money, shop for food or prepare meals. Stress and psychological issues may also contribute.

Secondly, weight loss or growth failure can occur when the body is less able to absorb nutrients – particularly fat – from food, because HIV or another infection (such as cryptosporidium) has damaged the lining of the gut. Diarrhea is a common symptom of such malabsorption. Micronutrients are vitamins and minerals that the body needs to maintain good health. Researchers have found that people with HIV are more likely to show signs of micro nutrient deficiencies, compared to uninfected people. Specifically they have found low levels of vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin D, carotids, selenium, zinc and iron in the blood of various populations.

Nevertheless, it must be noted that the evidence is not entirely conclusive. It is possible that HIV might affect the markers used to measure micro nutrient levels more than it affects the actual amounts of micro-nutrients available in the body.  Some studies suggest that antiviral treatment improves micro nutrient status.

Oral anabolic steroids to maintain the health of AIDS patients

Oral anabolic steroids (no the injectable kind like nandrolone) can tax the liver and lower good cholesterol (HDL). You are planning to take dianabol, an oral anabolic not approved in the US and one known for its liver, blood pressure and lowering HDL issues. It is a 17 alpha alkylated anabolic that has been designed to slow down its destruction by the liver.

Only Nandrolone Decanoate (Deca durabolin) and Oxandrolone have been studied in HIV related unintentional weight loss. Oxandrolone is a mild oral anabolic but one that can also increase liver enzymes. Nandrolone does not have this issue (it is not a 17 alpha alkylated anabolic), but some men can have increases in hematocrit and blood viscosity (not good for the heart). All anabolic shut down your own body's testosterone production, so it is good to supplement with testosterone to ensure normal sex drive and function. Playing around with anabolic steroids without doing a lot of reading and research is foolish in my opinion. You should be monitored by a physician to follow hematocrit, PSA, blood pressure, estradiol related issues (like breast enlargement), liver enzymes, etc. Men with HIV that are going to use anabolic no matter what at least engage in some harm reduction by reading and informing themselves about these potent hormones that have helped us in the past survive by combating wasting syndrome. A good bodybuilder is a smart bodybuilder. Over eight studies have shown nandrolone to be effective for increasing lean body mass (LBM) and strength in men and women with HIV. A randomized, placebo controlled trial in 38 women conducted by the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) reported significant increases in weight and lean body mass after 12 weeks of Nandrolone therapy (100 mg every two weeks). There were no differences between the groups in fat increases or in clinical or laboratory adverse events. Hoarseness, hirsutism, and clitoral enlargement were noted rarely in the treated group.  A recent study by Wanke reported that as many as 29 percent of people with HIV in the era of HAART are still losing weight or lean body mass, despite undetectable viral loads.

Nandrolone decanoate is especially attractive because of its benign side effects profile compared to alternative steroids. According to Vergel, unlike oral steroids such as Oxandrin and Anadrol, nandrolone does not impact liver function lab markers at the low doses used in HIV a crucial issue for many people with overtaxed livers from HAART or HCV. One of the FDA approved products to treat HIV-wasting, Megace (megestrol acetate), tends to produce its weight gain due to increases in fat rather than lean body mass -- and adding fat during AIDS wasting has not been shown to improve survival. Megace, a female sex hormone, has also been associated with side effects such as diabetes, blood clots, impotence and the development of female sex characteristics. Another agent approved to treat HIV wasting, Serostim (recombinant human growth hormone), lacks evidence of benefit beyond 12 weeks. FDA-approved appetite stimulants such as Marinol contain the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana (THC), notes Brenda Lein of Project Inform, and "thus is not a preference for many people with HIV who are in recovery." Also, it's theorized that Marinol may simply owe its ability to increase weight to a side effect of the THC high that people get the munchies and tend to eat more.

Winstrol and Equipoise are both not good on the liver since they both are 17 alpha alkylated. Nandrolone is not liver toxic, not 17 alpha alkylated and it has been studied in doses up to 600 mg a week in HIV. Most HIV positive men who need help gaining lean body mass use it at conservative dose of 200 mg Nandrolone plus 200 mg of Testosterone Cypionate every two weeks for 12-16 weeks and most stay on testosterone replacement therapy after stopping the Nandrolone so that you do not lose muscle mass and quality of life.
The FDA and most people did not seem to care even after some of us tried to stop this.You can also gain lean body mass by weight training and consuming a balanced diet. Supplements like creatine, whey protein and others have been shown to help.

Abuse of Anadrol in Bodybuilding and Sport

Anadrol has been used to prevent loss of muscle tissues in chronic disorders such as AIDS and other disorders. It was noted that the use of Anadrol resulted in reduce in the muscle loss in individuals suffering from such disorders. However, the side-effects associated with prolonged use of Anadrol have restricted its use for severe cases.

An increase in the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids such as Anadrol by bodybuilders has been reported in Western Europe and the USA since the 1990s. Body builders and other sports athletes’ overuse (abuse) this drug for its ability to build lean muscle mass and reduction in body fat. The steroids are commonly used as faster way of losing fat and gaining muscle mass across various sports. Some of the bodybuilders even grow the dosage at abnormal levels to gain muscles at a much rapid rate. The dosage generally prescribed for medicinal purposes is about 1-5 mg/kg corpse weight per day which amounts to about 100-150mg per day in a standard adult single. However, bodybuilders have been reported to consume about 400-600mg/day which increases the risk of side-effects to a large extent. Abuse of Anadrol is associated with a wide range of side-effects that affects the functioning of organs such as liver and heart along with other effects. The adverse effects on the liver due to increased use of anadrol are sometimes considered living-threatening.


Anadrol cycle refers to the use of Anadrol in a routine manner by bodybuilders to construct muscle mass. The bodybuilders usually consume anadrol tablets once to thrice daily for a certain interval of period while building the muscle mass in their cadaver. Although Anadrol increases lean muscle mass initially, the effects do not keep increasing after a certain limit. Increasing the dosage of anadrol subsequently increases its side-effects that have dangerous effects on the corpse.

Side Effects of Anadrol: Abuse of Anadrol is associated with a great list of side-effects. The increased incidence of side-effects associated with its use has restricted the use of anadrol in the medical field. Anadrol is usually considered as the last line of treatment wherein it is advised only if the regular treatment modalities have failed to resolve the condition being treated. Abusers of Anadrol have an increased danger of being affected by the side-effects owing to the fact that they consume anadrol at very high doses.
Result on Liver: The most common and potent side-effect that can be life threatening at times is the result of Anadrol on the liver. Excessive use of anadrol results in a condition known as peliosis hepatis which is characterised by formation of cysts (fluid filled cavities) in the liver and at times also in the spleen. These cysts may effect in liver failure that is considered living threatening. Although withdrawal of anadrol results in complete reversal of symptoms, the liver failure generally remains asymptomatic until it reaches the living-threatening stage. Increased incidence of liver tumours has also been associated with Anadrol abuse.

Anabolic steroids and adverse effects

Anabolic steroids may cause many adverse effects, depending on the dosage and period of use. An increase in blood pressure is the most common side effect, especially when the user already has hypertension. Steroid users also experience an increase in total cholesterol level and a decrease in HDL cholesterol in many cases. Testosterone increases the risk of heart disease. Acne is also a relatively common side effect of anabolic steroids. Testosterone is metabolized into dihydrotestosterone, which can increase the rate of male pattern baldness in users with this genetic predisposition. Testosterone can also produce baldness by itself in female users. Skin conditions are among the earliest predictors of the presence of HIV in the body, and are often viewed as markers for the disease’s progression. Approximately 90 percent of all HIV-infected individuals will present rash-like symptoms during the course of their disease. HIV-related rashes generally fall into one of three categories: generalized dermatitis; bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections and skin tumors. Generalized skin rashes are the most commonly experienced symptom of HIV.

Among the primary types of generalized dermatitis seen among HIV infected patients:  

Xerosis: Approximately 20 percent of all HIV-infected individuals will experience xerosis, which can be described as general dryness of the skin. This form of skin dryness often affects the body’s extremities and presents with dry, itchy, and scaly skin patches. Treatment of xerosis includes topical moisturizers containing urea and topical steroids.
Atopic dermatitis: This chronic inflammatory condition, often characterized with red, scaly, and itchy rashes, is seen in approximately 30 to 50 percent of HIV-infected patients. Typical treatment involves the application of topical steroids.
Prurigo nodularis: Prurigo nodularis can be characterized as lumps on the skin that cause scab-like appearances and itchiness. This type of dermatitis is typically seen among patients with extremely compromised immune systems. Current treatment protocol includes topical steroids and antiviral drugs.
Eosinophillic folliculitis: Characterized typically by itchy, red bumps centered on hair follicles, this form of dermatitis presents most frequently in patients in later stages of the disease’s progression. While it can appear on any bodily surface, it tends to cluster on the upper body. Current treatments include antiretroviral drug regimens to help restore the patient’s immune system, topical steroids, and antihistamines.

Steroids can indeed be helpful for people with HIV

For people living with HIV, a good trip to the gym can do far more than just pump up those biceps. The infection can cause physical problems from insomnia and fatigue to "wasting" and fat redistribution while building up confidence and a positive body image. The benefits are more than physical. Several studies have proved what regular gym goers have always known: working out counters depression. The reason is that lifting weights releases endorphins, a substance your body produces that has a similar effect to mood-altering drugs. Research is disproving the commonly held assumption that running a few miles is better at burning body fat than weight lifting. Not only does this disprove the stereotype of the over sized gym rat, but according to a study done in Copenhagen, only strength training reduces total body fat in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy, that unsightly side effect of some HIV meds that causes pockets fat often at odd places and always unnatural looking. Of course, for many people with HIV, gaining too much weight and increasing body fat aren’t their principle concerns. Rather, it’s the exact opposite. In Africa, AIDS is widely known as "the wasting disease," because advanced HIV prevents the body from retaining body mass. Not everyone can use the meds that help ward off wasting. Many discovered that one of the best ways to counter wasting is the same "juice" that Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger used to bulk up. Back in the early ’90s, a few doctors realized that the same reason why bodybuilders take them to gain thick muscle mass quickly could be a lifesaver for patients who were rapidly losing weight. "Juice" not only helped HIV-positive patients live longer and fuller lives; as they bulked up, they helped change the look of HIV.

As administered by a doctor, steroids can indeed be helpful. But the negative side effects that dog bodybuilders are that much greater for people with compromised immune systems. Among many other things, they can inhibit Vitamin D metabolism and interfere with meds. Another reason why doctors may prescribe steroids is for those men whose testosterone level is dangerously low, another side effect of HIV. Vergel has used testosterone replacement effectively for years and has written a whole book about it.