Penn State University research shows that the micronutrient selenium can be used to slow down the progress of the AIDS virus in humans.

K. Sandeep Prabhu, Penn State assistant professor of immunology and molecular toxicology, said today his team's research shows the selenium, which the body needs to maintain normal metabolism, becomes incorporated into a selenoprotein that reduces the stress caused by the AIDS virus and slows down its replication by at least tenfold.

It's long been known that people with HIV/AIDS show lower levels of selenium in their systems. Dr. Prabhu said his research now shows why that happens. The selenoprotein blocks the virus but breaks down in the process. That reduces the amount of selenium in the patient's system, which makes it difficult to combat the disease naturally.

"We have found that increasing the expression of proteins that contain selenium negatively affects the replication of HIV," Dr. Prabhu said. "Our results suggest a reduction in viral replication by at least tenfold."

His study describing the process has been published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

Dr. Prabhu said decreasing the viral load in the system boosts the immune system and increases the longevity of the individual.

"We hope this will be incorporated into the clinic, and this research will lead to new therapeutic interventions with selenium and selenium-dependent compounds," Dr. Prabhu said. "It could lead to a new line of research."

The micronutrient, available over the counter in drug stores and grocery stores, could provide a cheap way to combat HIV/AIDS in the United States, but more so for the impoverished in Africa and elsewhere in the world.

"Most of the HIV population lives below the poverty line and most can't afford drugs," Dr. Prabhu said. "Selenium and selenium compounds are less expensive but still provide protection by decreasing the viral load."