regional medical center: Reduced Glycerin Anti-HIV Product For Both Vagina And Rectum

Reduced Glycerin Anti-HIV Product For Both Vagina And Rectum

Editor's Choice
Academic Journal
Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Article Date: 22 May 2012 - 9:00 PDT

email to a friend Â

printer friendly Â

opinions Â <!--

rate article
Patient / Public: not yet rated

Healthcare Prof: not yet rated

An anti-HIV gel developed for vaginal use has been reformulated to make it safer to use in the rectum. Researchers from the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) found that tenofovir gel was less harmful to the lining of the rectum and just as effective in protecting cells against HIV. The study is published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Charlene Dezzutti, Ph.D., associate professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and lead researcher of the MTN Network Laboratory, explained:

"The lining of the rectum is much more fragile than the vaginal epithelium, so we can't be certain a product like tenofovir gel that is safe for vaginal use will be completely safe to use in the rectum.
We are very encouraged by our laboratory data that suggests the reformulated gel could be safer for rectal use, and serve as a dual compartment gel for use in both the vagina and rectum."

Individuals who have unprotected anal sex are 10 to 20 times more likely to contract HIV than those who have unprotected vaginal intercourse. Even though the gel has shown promise in reducing HIV risk in women through vaginal sex, the gel may not be safe to use rectally, as rectal lining (rectal epithelium) is considerably thinner than vaginal lining.

Tenofovir gel is hyperosmolar, meaning it contains a higher concentration of sugars and salts relative to cells. As a result, epithelial cells achieve balance by loosing water, which results in shrinkage, which in turn could make the rectal epithelium less efficient in protecting against HIV.

Therefore, researchers from CONRAD reformulated the gel by reducing the amount of glycerin in order to make it more amenable to rectal use. MTN researchers then tested the reformulated gel and found that it was three times less likely to cause cells in rectal tissue to release water and that it was just as effective at protecting against HIV as the vaginal formulation.

Results from an early phase clinical trial that involved 65 HIV-negative men and women who used the gel rectally once a day for one week, indicated that it was safe and acceptable in the participants. Results from this study, as well as future ones will be vital for the development of a rectal microbicide that could help protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections during anal sex.

The team are currently planning a Phase II, multi-site trial at clinical sites in the U.S., Peru, Thailand and South Africa. The trial will involve 186 men who have sex with men, and transgender women. Participants in the United States will undergo three regimens:

reduced glycerin tenofovir gel used daily
reduced glycerin tenofovir gel used before and after anal sex
daily use of the antiretroviral tablet Truvada

Although the vaginal formulation of the gel was found to be safe and effective in reducing the risk of HIV in women who used it before and after vaginal sex, a recent review of study data concluded that, while safe, it was not effective at preventing HIV among the female participants who were asked to apply it vaginally every day. As a result, the researchers are currently assessing the vaginal formulation of tenofovir gel.

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Additional

References

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

MLA

APA

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

Add Your Opinion On This Article

'Reduced Glycerin Anti-HIV Product For Both Vagina And Rectum - Tenofovir Vaginal Gel'

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form.

Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

regional medical center

Selasa, 22 Mei 2012

Reduced Glycerin Anti-HIV Product For Both Vagina And Rectum

Add Your Opinion On This Article

Tidak ada komentar:

Posting Komentar