Increased systemic and adipose tissue cytokines in patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy.
The lipodystrophy syndrome (adipose tissue redistribution and metabolic abnormalities) observed with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection may be related to increased proinflammatory cytokine activity. We measured acute cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-6, leptin), glycerol, and lactate secretion from abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), and systemic cytokine levels, in HIV-infected subjects with and without lipodystrophy (HIVL+ and HIVL-, respectively) and healthy non-HIV controls. Lipodystrophy was confirmed and characterized as adipose tissue redistribution in HIVL+ compared with HIVL- and controls, by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and by whole body MRI. TNF-alpha secretion from abdominal SAT and circulating levels of IL-6, soluble TNF receptors I and II, and insulin were elevated in HIVL+ relative to HIVL- and/or controls, particularly in HIVL+ undergoing HAART. In the HIV-infected group as a whole, IL-6 secretion from abdominal SAT and serum IL-6 were positively associated with visceral fat and were negatively associated with the relative amount of lower limb adipose tissue (P < 0.01). Decreased leptin and increased lactate secretion from abdominal SAT were specifically associated with HAART. In conclusion, increased cytokine secretion from adipose tissue and increased systemic proinflammatory cytokine activity may play a significant role in the adipose tissue remodeling and/or the metabolic abnormalities associated with the HIV-lipodystrophy syndrome in patients undergoing HAART.
Johnson
Julia A
JA
Obesity Research Center, St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY 10025, USA. JAJohnso33@aol.com
Albu
Jeanine B
JB
Engelson
Ellen S
ES
Fried
Susan K
SK
Inada
Yoritaro
Y
Ionescu
Gabriel
G
Kotler
Donald P
DP
D000005:Abdomen; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001823:Body Composition; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck; D040521:Subcutaneous Tissue / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D007328:Insulin