A community randomized controlled clinical trial of mixed carotenoids and micronutrient supplementation of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Objective: This clinical trial aims to evaluate if natural mixed carotenoids supplementation can improve the health and survival of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Design: A placebo-controlled, prospective, randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial. Setting: Community, tertiary care human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinics of the Canadian HIV Trials Network (CTN). Participants: Three hundred and thirty-one adults with advanced AIDS on conventional management were recruited during routine clinic visits. Interventions: All participants, including 166 controls, received daily oral specially formulated multivitamins including vitamin A and trace elements; 165 treatment group participants received additional daily oral natural mixed carotenoids, equivalent to 120000 IU (72mg) of β-carotene daily. Follow-up was quarterly at routine clinic visits. Results: Mean (s.d.) follow-up was for 13 (6) months. Thirty-six participants died by 18 months. Serum carotene concentration <1.0 μmol/l was present in 16% participants at baseline. Despite variation in carotene content of the treatment medication, serum carotene concentrations increased significantly to twice the baseline levels to 18 months follow-up in participants who received carotenoids treatment compared with controls (P<0.0001). Although not statistically significant, mortality was increased in participants who did not receive carotenoids treatment compared with those who did (HR time to death 1.76, 95% CI 0.89, 3.47, P=0.11). In multivariate analysis, survival was significantly and independently improved in those with higher baseline serum carotene concentrations (P=0.04) or higher baseline CD4 T-lymphocyte counts (P=0.005). Adjusted mortality was also significantly and independently increased in those who did not receive carotenoids treatment compared with those who did (HR time to death 3.15, 95% CI 1.10, 8.98, P=0.03). Conclusions: Low serum carotene concentration is common in AIDS patients and predicts death. Supplementation with micronutrients and natural mixed carotenoids may improve survival by correction of a micronutrient deficiency. Further studies are needed to corroborate findings and elucidate mechanism of action.