Early clinical trials conducted at two Beijing hospitals allegedly show a new medication developed by a Chinese medical company may effectively increase immune cells in AIDS patients and relieve symptoms of the deadly disease.

Zhang Xiuhua, vice-manager of Xiehe Group in Shenyang, capital of Northeast China's Liaoning Province, said her oral liquid uses an active protein to produce more CD4 positive lymph cells, an immune cell destroyed by HIV virus, and to protect bodies from various infections.

"It employs the technique of super-antigen, a powerful antigen capable of activating immune cells significantly," claimed Zhang. "The medicine can increase the CD4 positive lymph cells and assist to reach a normal proportion between CD4 and another immune cell, called CD8 positive, resulting in proper immune functions in human bodies," she added.

Zhang also claimed after at least one month, when AIDS patients should take at least two dosages a day, AIDS symptoms are obviously relieved and lives prolonged.

On the company's website, an undated report of a clinical trial involving 20 AIDS patients admitted allegedly in Beijing You'an Hospital claimed the medication can effectively relieve such AIDS symptoms as hair and weight loss, diarrhea, poor appetite and weakness.

More importantly, after three months of treatment, the number of CD4 positive cells could reportedly be elevated by upwards 50 per cent, the report claims.

But Wu Hao, department director for infectious disease at You'an Hospital, said he is not familiar with the oral liquid's name, its clinical trial in his department or even the Xiehe Group.

Despite its alleged effectiveness in increasing immune cells, Zhang claimed the medication is unable to kill HIV virus, and is still not available on Chinese markets.
(China Daily 06/01/2005 page2