Hypocholesterolemia is associated with immune dysfunction in early human immunodeficiency virus-1 infection.
OBJECTIVE
Patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome exhibit marked disturbances in lipid metabolism. Because altered lipid metabolism may affect immune processes, this study characterized the lipid profile of asymptomatic individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1), in relationship to immune function.


METHODS
Serum levels of triglycerides and cholesterol were determined in 94 asymptomatic HIV-1-infected (Centers for Disease Control stage II, III) homosexual men and 42 healthy seronegative control subjects. Immune assessment included measurements of lymphocyte subpopulations (CD4), immune activation (beta 2-microglobulin), natural killer cell function, and lymphocyte proliferation in response to mitogens phytohemagglutinin and pokeweed. Dietary intake was determined using a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire.


RESULTS
Despite greater consumption of saturated fat and cholesterol, significantly lower levels of total, high-density, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in HIV-1-seropositive men, relative to seronegative controls (p < 0.05), with 40% of the HIV-1-infected group demonstrating hypocholesterolemia (less than 150 mg/dL). Low values of total, high-density, and low-density cholesterol were associated with elevated levels of beta 2-microglobulin in HIV-1-seropositive men. No difference between the groups was noted for serum triglycerides. HIV-1-infected subjects did not demonstrate the significant inverse relationship between cholesterol and mitogen response observed in seronegative controls.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that low levels of cholesterol are prevalent during the early stages of HIV-1 infection and associated with specific alterations in immune function, suggesting that hypocholesterolemia may be a useful marker of disease progression.
Shor-Posner
Gail
G
From the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA; From the Deparment of Epidemiology and the Center for the Biopsychosocial Study of AIDSUniversity of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
Basit
Abdul
A
From the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
Lu
Ying
Y
From the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
Cabrejos
Claudio
C
From the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
Chang
Jeani
J
From the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
Fletcher
Maryann
M
From the Deparment of Epidemiology and the Center for the Biopsychosocial Study of AIDSUniversity of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
Mantero-Atienza
Emilio
E
From the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA; From the Deparment of Epidemiology and the Center for the Biopsychosocial Study of AIDSUniversity of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
Baum
Marianna K
MK
From the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA; From the Deparment of Epidemiology and the Center for the Biopsychosocial Study of AIDSUniversity of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida USA.
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008074:Lipoproteins / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D004041:Dietary Fats; D008074:Lipoproteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol