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Oral Combinational Antiretroviral Treatment in HIV-1 Infected Humanized Mice
Published on: October 6, 2022
Treatment options for HIV-associated central fat accumulation
Joseph Cofrancesco1, Eric Freedland, Grace McComsey
1Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
AIDS Patient Care and Stds
|December 6, 2008
Summary
Central fat accumulation in HIV patients, known as lipodystrophy, increases heart disease risk. Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) effectively reduces visceral adipose tissue (VAT), offering a potential therapeutic option.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Infectious Diseases
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Central fat accumulation (lipodystrophy) is a significant concern for patients with HIV, particularly those on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
- Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) accumulation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and can cause psychological distress, impacting treatment adherence.
- Current treatments for HIV-associated lipodystrophy, including lifestyle changes and some medications, have limited efficacy in reducing VAT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions for reducing visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in HIV-infected patients.
- To identify potential therapeutic strategies for managing HIV-associated central fat accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature and clinical trial data on interventions for HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
- Analysis of studies investigating the impact of lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy (metformin, thiazolidinediones, testosterone), and hormone therapies (rhGH, GHRH) on VAT.
Main Results:
- Lifestyle modifications and antiretroviral therapy changes show limited success in reducing VAT.
- Metformin may reduce VAT but can worsen peripheral fat loss; thiazolidinediones and testosterone are ineffective for VAT reduction.
- Two large randomized controlled trials demonstrate the efficacy of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) in reducing visceral adipose tissue (VAT).
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) also shows promising results for VAT reduction.
Conclusions:
- HIV-associated central fat accumulation poses significant health risks and impacts patient well-being.
- Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is a proven effective treatment for reducing visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in HIV patients.
- Growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) presents a promising alternative for managing VAT accumulation in this population.
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