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Updated: Jun 3, 2026
Isolation of Exosomes from the Plasma of HIV-1 Positive Individuals
Published on: January 5, 2016
Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is associated with metabolic changes in HIV-1-infected
Carla M T Fourie1, Johannes M Van Rooyen, Annamarie Kruger
1Hypertension in Africa Research Team (HART), School for Physiology, Nutrition and Consumer Sciences, North-West University (Potchefstroom Campus), Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa. carla.fourie@nwu.ac.za
Abstract:
Soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is associated with inflammation and may predict lipodystrophy and dysmetabolism in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy. We aimed to assess firstly, whether suPAR levels are elevated in treated and untreated HIV-1-infected Africans compared to uninfected controls at baseline and at a 3-year follow-up, and secondly whether suPAR levels are correlated with cardiovascular and/or metabolic changes. SuPAR, cardiovascular, and metabolic variables were assessed and the percentage change was determined. HIV-1-infected black South Africans had significantly higher suPAR levels than uninfected controls at baseline and at follow-up 3 years later. However, only the treated HIV-1-infected participants showed an increase in suPAR levels at follow-up. The treated group also showed signs of lipodystrophy and their baseline suPAR levels correlated positively with an increased waist circumference. This study indicates that suPAR levels increase and that baseline suPAR is associated with an increase in abdominal fat distribution in HIV-infected black Africans on antiretroviral therapy.
