Although patients treated with HIV protease inhibitor (PI) containing regimens manifest increases in naïve T cell number, it is unclear whether this is due to reduction in viral replication or a direct drug effect. We questioned whether Nelfinavir monotherapy directly impacted naïve T-cell number in HIV-negative individuals. HIV-negative volunteers received Nelfinavir, 1250 mg orally, BID for 3 weeks, and T-cell receptor recombination excision circles (TREC) content in peripheral blood were assessed. Whereas TREC copies did not change over 3 weeks in untreated controls, TREC copies/copies CCR5 increased following Nelfinavir monotherapy in 8 patients (p < 0.02), and did not change in 7 patients (p = NS). Those patients who responded were younger than those who did not with a median age of 55 years for responders and 71 years for non-responders (p < 0.03). The increase in TREC was most pronounced in those patients less than 40-years old (p < 0.01). Moreover, the patients who did not increase TREC levels were more likely to have suffered a medical illness previously shown to reduce thymic function. In HIV-negative patients, monotherapy with the HIV PI Nelfinavir for 21 days increases TREC-positive naïve T cell number, particularly in individuals who are healthy and young.

Background: Individuals with Barth syndrome (BTHS) present with decreased activity tolerance and high fatigability. Recent evidence suggests that differences in metabolic function in BTHS negatively impact the production of aerobic energy for activity and maintenance of muscle mass. Recommendations on a metabolically beneficial diet are complicated by selective eating behaviors often seen in individuals with BTHS. While known to be selective eaters with a preference for salty foods, there is limited evidence documenting sodium liking or discrimination in the BTHS population. The purpose of the current study was to 1) Quantify and compare food "liking" across six food categories, 2) Quantify and compare the frequency with which food was eaten in each category in males with and without BTHS, and 3) Conduct a taste test to compare ratings of hedonic liking and intensity of sodium infused liquids and compare the results between males with and without BTHS.Methods: A non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed which compared the BTHS group (n = 34) to age-matched controls (n = 34). A Food Behaviors and Preferences Inventory was completed by all participants. A structured Chicken Soup Taste Test was conducted to compare ratings of hedonic liking and intensity of sodium infused liquids and compare results between males with and without BTHS.Results: Males with BTHS were less likely to "like" or eat foods in the fruit, vegetable, protein, and grains & carbohydrate categories of the food inventory. Sodium liking and frequency of consumption was comparable between groups, however sodium infused foods appeared to make up a larger portion of the BTHS diet compared to controls. Results of the taste test suggested that the BTHS group had a slightly higher preference for sodium infused broths compared to the control group, but discrimination abilities were not significantly different. Conclusions:The study suggests that males with BTHS are able to discriminate sodium levels accurately and have a slightly higher hedonic preference for sodium infused foods compared to their age-matched peers. More research is needed to determine the health implications of a sodium rich diet for individuals with BTHS.