Lp-PLA2 levels in HIV-infected patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) research
• HIV/AIDS clinical research
• Biomarker analysis in chronic disease

Background:

• HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a recognized predictor of CVD in the general population.
• Understanding Lp-PLA2 in HIV patients is crucial for assessing CVD risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between plasma Lp-PLA2 levels and CVD risk factors in HIV-infected patients.
• To compare Lp-PLA2 levels in HIV patients with age-matched healthy controls.
• To identify specific factors associated with elevated Lp-PLA2 in the HIV population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study comparing 116 HIV patients (87% on ART, 72.4% with viral load <50 copies/mL) and 113 healthy controls.
• Measurement of inflammatory biomarkers (Lp-PLA2, CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT).
• Calculation of CVD risk using Framingham and SCORE algorithms, followed by univariate and multivariable analyses.

Main Results:

• HIV patients exhibited significantly higher Lp-PLA2 levels compared to controls (276.81 ng/mL vs. 220.80 ng/mL, p≤0.01).
• In the overall sample, cigarette smoking was the only factor associated with higher Lp-PLA2 (p≤0.001).
• In HIV patients, female sex and smoking were linked to increased Lp-PLA2; no significant associations were found with other CVD risk factors, IMT, or ART status.

Conclusions:

• HIV-infected individuals have elevated plasma Lp-PLA2 levels compared to healthy controls.
• Tobacco smoking is a significant independent predictor of higher Lp-PLA2 levels in HIV patients.
• Smoking cessation interventions are critical for cardiovascular disease prevention strategies in the HIV-infected population.