Soybean compound may inhibit HIV

A compound found in soy-beans can be used in new treatments to inhibit the deadly HIV infection, scientists claim. Researchers  found that genistein, derived from soy-beans and other plants, may become an effective HIV treatment without the drug resistance issues faced by current therapies.

Genistein is a "tyrosine kinase inhibitor" that works by blocking the communication from a cell's surface sensors to its interior. Found on a cell's surface, these sensors tell the cell about its environment and also communicate with other cells. HIV uses some of these surface sensors to trick the cell to send signals inside. These signals change cell structure so that the virus can get inside and spread infection.

But genistein blocks the signal and stops HIV from finding a way inside the cell. It takes a different approach than the standard anti-retro-viral drug used to inhibit HIV.

"Instead of directly acting on the virus, genistein interferes with the cellular processes that are necessary for the virus to infect cells,".

"Thus, it makes the virus more difficult to become resistant to the drug. Our study

 is currently in its early stage. If clinically proven effective, genistein may be used as a complement treatment for HIV infection," Wu said. Researchers caution that this doesn't mean people should start eating large amounts of soy products.

"Although genistein is rich in several plants such as soy-beans, it is still uncertain whether the amount of genistein we consume from eating soy is sufficient to inhibit HIV," Wu said. Wu sees possibilities in this plant-based approach, which may address drug toxicity issues as well. Because genistein is plant-derived, it may be able to sidestep drug toxicity, a common by-product of the daily and lifelong pharmaceutical regimen faced by patients with HIV to keep the disease at bay, Wu said.

Typically, patients take a combination of multiple drugs to inhibit the virus. The frequency can lead to drug toxicity. Plus, HIV mutates and becomes drug-resistant.

Researchers are working at finding out how much genistein is needed to inhibit HIV. It's possible that plants may not have high enough levels, so drugs would need to be developed.

ps- this is only for information, always consult you physician before having any particular food/ medication/exercise/other remedies.

ps- those interested in recipes are free to view my blog-

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

for info about knee replacement, you can view my blog-

http://Knee replacement-stick club.blogspot.com/

for crochet designs

http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/

I've not given details about designs, but those interested are free to mail me for the same.