The Effect of Vitamin D Intake on Total Lymphocytes and White Blood Cells Count among Patients with HIV/AIDS: a Randomized Clinical Trial

Vitamin D plays a significant role in the regulation of immune responses, as low levels of vitamin D are associated with faster progression of HIV infection to the third stage of AIDS. Total lymphocyte count is an appropriate laboratory index for determining the progression of AIDS. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on the total lymphocyte count (TLC) and white blood cells (WBC) count among patients with HIV/AIDS.

This clinical trial was conducted with participation of 66 HIV/AIDS patients in the consultation center for behavioral problems in the city of Varamin in Tehran Province in Iran who were categorized into two groups including intervention and control and in three stages including before intervention, three and six months after intervention. The selection of the participants in both groups was randomized, and the information gathering was done through interviewing based on the study questionnaire. A 50,000-unit-vitamin D3-Pearl was administered monthly for the intervention group. Three and six months after the intervention, the TLC and WBC count were determined. Data were analyzed by using Independent T-Test. Data analysis was computed by using SPSS software version 20. P<0.05 was considered significant.

The mean (SD) age of intervention group was 36.9 (2.0) and control group 36.2 (2). Prior to intervention, no significant differences were observed in the mean (SD) TLC among the intervention group and control group: 2359.1 (166.8) vs. 2354 (151). However, three month after vitamin D administration, the mean (SD) TLC in the intervention group was significantly more than the control group: 2447 (167.1) vs. 2141 (110.1), P=0.01. Six month after administration, no significant differences were observed in the mean (SD) TLC among the intervention group and control group: 2402.6 (169.8) vs. 2045.5 (104), P=0.03. No significant differences were observed in the mean (SD) WBC count among the intervention group and control group prior to intervention, three months, and six months after intervention: 6099.6 (1943.5) vs. 6316.2 (1631.7), 6035.8 (1586.7) vs. 6158.4 (1486.8) and 6110.6 (1523.8) vs. 6305.1 (569.2) respectively, P=0.6.

The study showed that TLC significantly increased three and six months after vitamin D administration among HIV/AIDS patients. Therefore, monthly intake of vitamin D supplement among these patients can be effective in maintaining their immune state