Green tea may help improve awareness in HIV patients

According to one study, green tea and chocolate may help reduce HIV-related neurological complications, paving the way for treatments for HIV-related brain disorders.

Research by Joseph Steiner and colleagues from Johns Hopkins University shows that a group of plants containing polyphenols such as green tea or cocoa beans can help prevent neurological complications and are published in the Journal. NeuroVirology.

Scientists say that drug therapy for HIV-infected patients cannot control the replication of viruses in the brain. Therefore, this measure will not be effective in treating complications associated with cognitive impairment in HIV-infected patients.

Previous studies have shown the important role of a brain-derived neurologic protein (BDNF), which supports neuronal growth.

This protein works in the brain region and plays an important role such as helping people learn, remember and think.

And according to previous studies, HIV-infected patients have lower levels of BDNF in the brain than normal people, suggesting that cognitive decline in HIV patients is significantly related to BDNF.

In the study, Steiner and colleagues analyzed the effects of 2,000 compounds, including natural substances and drugs approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on internal brain cells. laboratory.

They identified a range of compounds that have the potential to help protect brain neurons and nine of these involve 'epicatechin' , the substance found in cocoa beans and green tea leaves.

Researchers continue to test and compare 'resveratrol' , antioxidants found in red wine, and have identified two 'epicatechin' and 'epigallocatechin gallate' (EGCG) as effective. Best results help protect nerve cells by supporting the production of BDNF.

According to the scientists, this new finding will increase the potential for treatment for HIV patients, since most of the previous measures have trouble treating therapy directly into the brain.

At the same time, will increase the hope for HIV patients with regard to cognitive impairment issues.