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Cystatin C, adipokines and cardiovascular risk in HIV infected patients

Katia Falasca1, Claudio Ucciferri, Paola Mancino

  • 1Infectious Disease Clinic, Department of Medicine and Science of Aging, G. d'Annunzio University, School of Medicine, Chieti-Pescara, Italy.

Current HIV Research
|April 30, 2010
PubMed

Insights

HIV patients on combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) with high cardiovascular risk (CVR) show elevated leptin, IL-6, IL-18, and cystatin C. Cystatin C may serve as an early marker for increased CVR in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) is standard for HIV management.
  • HIV-infected individuals on cART may face increased cardiovascular risk (CVR).
  • Biomarkers for assessing CVR in HIV patients are crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate leptin, adiponectin, and cystatin C roles in HIV+ patients on cART.
  • To stratify patients based on cardiovascular risk (CVR).
  • To identify potential biomarkers for CVR in HIV-infected individuals.

Main Methods:

  • 56 HIV+ patients on cART were assessed for CVR using the Framingham score.
  • Patients were divided into high (15) and low (41) CVR groups.
  • Viro-immunological, metabolic, inflammatory markers, and body composition were measured.

Main Results:

  • High CVR group exhibited higher glucose/lipid metabolism parameters, cystatin C, microalbuminuria, blood pressure, BMI, IL-6, IL-18, and leptin.
  • Adiponectin levels were higher in the low CVR group.
  • Positive correlations were found between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and leptin/IL-18, and negative with adiponectin. A significant positive correlation between CVR and cystatin C was observed.

Conclusions:

  • HIV+ patients on cART with high CVR present elevated leptin, IL-6, IL-18, and cystatin C, with hypoadiponectinemia.
  • Cystatin C shows a positive correlation with CVR in HIV+ patients, suggesting its potential as an early CVR marker.
  • These findings highlight the utility of specific biomarkers in managing cardiovascular health in HIV-infected populations.
Abstract

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