Lipoprotein alterations in patients with HIV infection: relation with cellular and humoral immune markers

In order to determine lipid abnormalities in serum in HIV-infected patients and their relation with humoral and cellular immunological changes. Ninety HIV-infected patients without acute inflammatory or malignant disease have been studied. Thirty healthy HIV-negative subjects constituted the control group. As compared with controls, patients with CD4 + lymphocytes > 400 x 10(6)/l had higher triglycerides and lower high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo)-A1. Lipoprotein comparison by groups of patients according to CD4 + cell counts showed a decrease of HDL-cholesterol in patients with CD4 + cells < or = 200 x 10(6)/l. When CD4 + lymphocyte counts were < 50 x 10(6)/l, total and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)-triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol were increased and HDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and apo-A1 were decreased. Interferon (IFN)-alpha, beta2-microglobulin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were correlated positively with total and VLDL-triglycerides and negatively with HDL-cholesterol. In conclusion, lipoprotein changes in patients with HIV-infection are related with humoral and cellular immune markers. A decrease of HDL-cholesterol and apo-A1 and an increase of triglyceride levels could be considered as markers of disease progression.