Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
05:46

Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors

Published on: April 9, 2014

Protease inhibitor-based HAART, HDL, and CHD-risk in HIV-infected patients

Bela F Asztalos1, Ernst J Schaefer, Katalin V Horvath

  • 1Lipid Metabolism Laboratory, Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA. bela.asztalos@tufts.edu

Atherosclerosis
|June 7, 2005
PubMed

Insights

HIV infection and protease inhibitor-based highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) worsen lipid profiles and increase coronary heart disease risk. Treatment negatively impacts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulations, raising concerns for patient cardiovascular health.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Lipidology

Background:

  • HIV infection is associated with dyslipidemia.
  • Protease inhibitor (PI)-based highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) is used to manage HIV.
  • The impact of PI-HAART on lipid profiles and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of HIV infection and PI-HAART on lipid and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subpopulation profiles.
  • To determine the relationship between these changes and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study comparing lipid and HDL subpopulation profiles of HIV-positive subjects (n=48) before and after PI-HAART.
  • Cross-sectional comparison with HIV-negative subjects with (n=96) and without CHD (n=96).

Main Results:

  • HIV-infected, HAART-naïve subjects had lower LDL-C and HDL-C, and higher triglycerides (TG) than controls.
  • PI-HAART increased LDL-C and TG; HDL-C remained unchanged.
  • HDL subpopulations shifted unfavorably post-PI-HAART, with increased small, lipid-poor pre-beta-1 HDL and decreased large, cholesterol-rich alpha-1 HDL.

Conclusions:

  • HIV-positive subjects exhibit unfavorable lipid and HDL profiles.
  • PI-HAART further deteriorates these profiles, potentially increasing CHD risk.
  • Close monitoring of lipid profiles and cardiovascular risk in HIV patients on PI-HAART is crucial.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Activity Prediction, and Molecular Dynamics of Non-nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors10:29

Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Activity Prediction, and Molecular Dynamics of Non-nucleotide Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors

Published on: May 9, 2025

Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice06:07

Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice

Published on: October 6, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly01:19

Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

As part of their replication cycle, certain viruses synthesize long precursor proteins called polyproteins within infected host cells. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), two major polyproteins are produced: Gag and Gag-Pol. The Gag polyprotein supplies the structural components of the virus, while Gag-Pol includes essential viral enzymes such as reverse transcriptase, integrase, and protease. After synthesis, these polyproteins move to the host cell membrane, where they assemble into an...
Retrovirus Life Cycles01:10

Retrovirus Life Cycles

Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis01:30

Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis

Protein synthesis is indispensable for viral replication, as viruses lack the cellular machinery required for this process and must hijack the host's translational apparatus. In response, host cells deploy a critical innate immune defense involving interferons, specialized cytokines that play a central role in inhibiting viral propagation.Upon viral detection, infected cells release interferons that bind to receptors on adjacent uninfected cells, activating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and...
Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors01:23

Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 Inhibitors

Dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) is a serine protease widely distributed in the body. It's involved in the inactivation of GLP-1 and GIP hormones, which are crucial for insulin regulation. DPP-4 inhibitors, such as sitagliptin (Januvia), saxagliptin (Onglyza), linagliptin (Tradjenta), alogliptin (Nesina), and vildagliptin (Galvus), help increase the proportion of active GLP-1, enhancing insulin secretion. These inhibitors work by competitively binding to DPP-4. This binding causes a significant...
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors01:22

Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors

Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...