Cumulative insults to mitochondrial function may promote the emergence of 'syndrome X' and diabetes mellitus in HIV/HCV co-infected patients.
The 'metabolic syndrome' or 'syndrome X' affects approximately a quarter of the general population of the United States. A significant number of patients, therefore, may have predisposing risk factors for developing 'syndrome X' and/or diabetes mellitus (DM) prior to HIV infection, hepatitis C (HCV) infection, and/or institution of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Metabolic perturbations identical to 'syndrome X' develop in many HIV-infected patients who are undergoing HAART. A series of cumulative and possibly synergistic insults to mitochondrial function which occur in HIV/HCV co-infected patients who are receiving HAART may promote the emergence of 'syndrome X' and DM. HIV-infected patients, especially those who are co-infected with HCV and who are undergoing HAART, may, therefore, be at increased risk of developing the cardiovascular complications that are associated with 'syndrome X' and DM.
Revuelta
Manuel P
MP
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Attending Physician, Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Medical Center, 350 East 17th Street, Baird Hall, 19th Floor, Room #11, New York, NY 10003, USA. mrevuelt@bethisraelny.org