Drug findings spark controversy
The recreational use of illicit substances may not have direct negative effects on the immune system of HIV positive men, according to new research from the highly regarded Baltimore-based Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS).
The MACS study, an ongoing research project into the effects of treatment on men with HIV-1, involving a total of 6,973 men enrolled since 1984, has produced a number of respected research papers including a recent study into the effects of recreational drug use on the CD4 and CD8 T-cells of the immune system.
The paper suggests that these cells remain unaffected by the use of marijuana, cocaine, poppers and amphetamines, though local HIV authorities warn that these results may not take the immune system as a whole into account.
ACON’s community services director Russell Westacott said the impact of a drug-using lifestyle is still likely to affect the immune system in both HIV positive and negative men, so it is imperative the community adhere to drug safety warnings.
This part of the study focuses on the CD4 and CD8 cells of the immune system, and while it’s fair to say that the functioning of these cells provides a good indication of how well the immune system is going, it is not the only thing that reflects on the immune system, Westacott told Sydney Star Observer.
Although the study was based on evidence from men who used drugs as frequently as once a week, Westacott said there was no indication of how many drugs were being consumed by the individuals.
While the drugs might not in themselves have a negative effect on the CD4 and CD8 cells, I would imagine that if drugs are being used to an extent where they are impacting on lifestyle they would have an effect, he said.
If people have a poor diet, or aren’t getting enough sleep, all of those things have a negative impact on the human body.
The other thing to touch on is the fact that people who are using lots of substances and keeping irregular patterns are less likely to adhere to taking their treatments as prescribed.
It is a really important message for all members of our community to consider that illicit drug use does have an effect on the body whether that comes as a direct result of the drugs themselves or the accompanying lifestyle issues.
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Go Hank! Besides, doesn’t it say “Poison, Do Not Inhale” on popper bottles? After 30 years you’d think the gay community would’ve got the message?
Elizabeth Dax, US National Institute of Drug Abuse, studied the effects of poppers use on the human immune system.18 gay male, hiv negative, volunteers resided at the Addiction Research Center to insure that the only drug consumed was poppers. A modest number of inhalations resulted in an immediate suppression of natural killer cell function. It took 4 days for the immune system to recover to baseline. The MACS studuy looked at the effect of drug use on the CD4 and CD8 cells over time…6 months. Natural killer cells are a part of the immune systems first line of defense. Hypothesis: suppression of natural killer cell function increases susceptibility to HIV infection.
The MACS study does not negate the importance of the Dax findings. Exposure to HIV does not equal infection. That initial exposure if sometimes defended by the bodies immune defense. The role of natural killer cell function in defending against HIV exposure warrants research. Gay men need to be informed of the findings of the Dax human study and the role of natural killer cells in immune system defense.