Depletion of Latent HIV in CD4 Cells

[tash08]

Apparently valproic acid is still being researched by Dr.David Margolis. In 2007 there were reports that valproic acid is of no use, my further research showed that the compound research is still ongoing.

The hope was that if valproic acid could force all the HIV-containing cells in the body to switch on and start producing HIV, while containing the harmful effects with conventional antiretrovirals, you might drain the reservoir. A 2005 study promised exactly that result: David Margolis gave four patients valproic acid alongside HIV drugs for three months and found that the amount of HIV in their resting cells decreased in three out of the four by 68% to 84%. But even Margolis warned that you'd have to get rid of the HIV in at least 99,999 of every 100,000 cells to really rid the body of it.

I think that 84 % is a lot of resting cells, now he is trying to add raltegravir and valproic acid together for synergistic effect, as raltegravir affects viral decay differently. I'm not saying that this will work or not work, but it certainly has a plausible background and I have a lot of respect for Dr. Margalo's research and not giving up.

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT00576290?term=HDAC&rank=8