New Contraceptive Ring May Prevent HIV-Aids

The next generation of birth control devices may not only prevent pregnancy without the need for hormonal compounds, but also protect a woman from becoming infected with the deadly HIV-AIDS virus.

This is great news for women who have latex allergies or those women who prefer not to use hormonal based contraceptives.

A team of researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College has developed a contraceptive ring that blocked transmission of the HIV virus in laboratory tests. The contraceptive ring time-released multiple antiviral drugs over a period of 28 days, which have been shown to prevent HIV infection.

The drugs used are, a new anti-HIV agent, named Boc-lysinated betulonic acid, TMC120 or dapivirine, PMPA, and 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine or AZT/zidovudine.

Combining these particular antivirals together forms a powerful barrier to HIV infection. The researchers exposed human cells to the HIV infection in the laboratory and the antiviral drug cocktail successfully blocked the infection. The new ring device was also successfully tested on animals in a laboratory setting.

The contraceptive ring also makes use of groundbreaking methods in preventing pregnancy, without the use of hormones or spermicides. Hormones have been linked to an increased risk for breast and cervical cancer and spermicides can cause irritation.

The researchers solved these problems by using instead, compounds that arrest sperm motility, raise vaginal mucous viscosity and raise the acidity of the vagina to a level where sperm can’t survive.

Head researcher, Dr. Brij Saxena, Professor of Reproductive Biology and endocrinology at Weill Cornell Medical College, noted, “this is the first device to simultaneously offer the possibility to prevent unintended pregnancy and HIV transmission.”

With nearly 5 million people infected every year with the HIV-Aids virus, causing 3 million deaths, worldwide, this new contraceptive device can save lives by offering women another option in HIV-Aids prevention, besides abstinence and the use of latex condoms.

With additional testing, the contraceptive ring could also be used to prevent other sexually transmitted diseases.

The study is available in the recent edition of the Aids Journal.

Source : chattahbox.com