Thirty PLHIV in Melbourne took part in the randomised, placebo-controlled VIVA trial. Researchers looked to see if 24 weeks of high dose vitamin D3 could reduce the amount of HIV that persists on ART. After 24 weeks, there was no change in HIV DNA. Encouragingly though, there was a reduction in total HIV DNA 12 weeks after stopping high dose vitamin D3. This was accompanied by persistently high vitamin D3 levels and immune changes. These results suggested reduced CD4 T cell proliferation and increased natural killer cell activation at week 36. These exciting findings support further evaluation of the role of vitamin D3 in HIV cure.
Vitamin D3 affects the HIV reservoir in humans
