Ways To Treat Mitochondrial Toxicity

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Mitochondrial Toxicity

Lactic acidosis can be fatal. See your health care provider immediately if you have these symptoms. MT may also cause nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy, see Fact Sheet 555 ). It has been linked to kidney damage and hearing loss. Some researchers believe it might also contribute to fat redistribution (lipodystrophy, see Fact Sheet 553 ) in people taking antiretroviral medications (ARVs). How Do ARVs Cause MT? Mitochondria have an enzyme...

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How is Mitochondrial Toxicity Ruled Out?

Dear Dr. Bob,I have been HIV+ for 17 years, and on Viracept, D4T, 3TC for the past three years. My viral load undetectable, CD4's averaging 900, but I have had severe fatigue for around 9 months. I am often so exhausted that I am afraid of...

Response from Robert J. Frascino, M.D.

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation

Hello Whipped in S.F.,Well, Ill stand by my previous statement, "we have much to learn about how to diagnose and treat mitochondrial toxicity." Is there a way to "conclusively rule it out?" Well, there are ways, but these types... Read more »

What can I do to prevent mitochondrial toxicity?

Nelson: I am taking Zerit+Kaletra+Epivir and am very aafraid of this thing I keep hearing about called mitochondrial toxicity. What are the symptoms and what supplements or things can I take to prevent it? I want to get off Zerit but my doctor does...

Response from Nelson Vergel, B.S.Ch.E., M.B.A.

Program for Wellness Restoration

I wish there was a clear answer to your question. As you probably remember from your biology class in school, the mitocondria are tiny cells within a cell that produce energy as ATP from sugars and fats. It seems that nucleoside analogs (NRTIs) not... Read more »

MITOCHONDRIAL TOXICITY

Anti-HIV drug side effects linked to mitochondrial toxicity have been around for years. It is obvious with the growing incidence and possible role of lipodystrophy. It's a fact that all nukes inhibit cellular DNA polymerase beta and gamma, thus...

Response from Graeme Moyle, M.D.

Chelsea and Westminster Hospital

This rather a long question so I hope I can respond to all of it.The risk factors for lipoatrophy inlcude disease characteristics (AIDS, low CD4), genetic characteristics (genes which promote the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF) and both nucs and PIs.... Read more »

thank you ! thank you!!! (Mitochondrial toxicity)

Thank you for your responses about mitochondrial toxcity and nukes.You have been so informative.I think alot of doctors don't take the time to explain in depth to their patients,because they think details may go over their heads,but I'm...

Response from Benjamin Young, M.D., Ph.D.

Rocky Mountain CARES

Thanks for your warm comments.As you point out, the only accurate test for mitochondrial injury currently is a lactic acid level. The test is promblematic (difficult to do reliably) and probably only picks up late injury.There are several groups... Read more »

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