Physical activity as antioxidant and palliative beneficial option in human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract

Lizette Gil del Valle, Rosario Gravier Hernandez

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is characterized by chronic activation of immune system as a consequence of persistent circulating virus. Evidences for in vivo oxidative stress, as an imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant status, were reported to arise during infection evolution. The high active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has impact on the decline of mortality and morbidity associated to HIV infection but clinical and basic evidences of toxicity are still reported. With increased longevity HAART is prolonged and due to resistance against antiretroviral therapy (ART) new aspects are developed in order to manage HIV infection. In this context, effective non-pharmacological measures, such as regular physical activity have been used. Updates on research confirm that physical activity could mitigate the deleterious oxidative damage by stimulating resistance to oxidative challenge. This paper briefly reviews the wide pathophysiological pathways related to HIV infection, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction and then discusses in detail the benefits of training schedule for infected HIV infected individuals. This constitutes a complementary strategy promoting beneficial pleiotropic effects.