Uridine treatment for mitochondrial toxicity

A possible treatment for nucleoside-related mitochondrial toxicity was suggested by Ulrich Walker form University of Freiburg. [24]

Human hepatocytes were exposed to NRTIs with or without uridine for 25 days. Severe depletion of mtDNA, reduction in cell proliferation and increase in lactate and steatosis developed with exposure to ddC and d4T (but not ddI) which was largely reversed in the presence of uridine. It also reversed cell toxicity and lactate of AZT and 3TC-exposed cells.

Interactions with nucleoside were not found and uridine did not affect RTI IC50 or IC90 of any of the nucleosides in resistance assays.

In humans, serum levels of uridine achieved protective levels in the in vitro model following a single 36g dose of a dietary supplement Mitocnol and studies of uridine therapy in HIV-positive patients are now underway. (A website with details if Uridine is at http://www.nucleomaxX.com - see also more detained article below in IAS report).

	HIV Treatment Bulletin Vol 4 No7 August / September 2003