Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Colette Smith

Publications

• Research Article
  A Prospective, Double Blind, Randomised, Placebo Controlled Trial Evaluating Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) for the Prevention of Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy in HIV Infected Individuals
  Author(s): Christian Herzmann, Colette Smith, Margaret A Johnson, Patrick Byrne, Giorgio Terenghi, Yasotha Duraisamy and Mike YouleChristian Herzmann, Colette Smith, Margaret A Johnson, Patrick Byrne, Giorgio Terenghi, Yasotha Duraisamy and Mike Youle
  
  Background: Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are currently an essential part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of HIV. However, the use of some dideoxynucleotide analogues may be limited by mitochondrial toxicity leading to distal symmetric polyneuropathy (DSP). Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALCAR) has been investigated for the treatment of existing DSP but the potential for ALCAR to prevent DSP is unknown. Methods: In this double blind, placebo controlled trial 43 HIV infected, antiretroviral naïve individuals were randomised to receive either ALCAR or placebo in addition to stavudine (as stavudine-XR, a sustained release formulation), tenofovir and efavirenz for 48 weeks. Development of DSP was assessed clinically and histologically by Protein Gene Product .. Read More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.1000108

  Abstract PDF