title: Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and its relationship to coronary atherosclerosis in HIV patients.
abstract: HIV-infected individuals have an increased prevalence of coronary artery disease. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin have been postulated as mediators of vascular calcification. 78 HIV-infected men and 32 healthy controls without history of coronary artery disease were prospectively recruited to undergo cardiac computed tomography and computed tomography angiography to assess coronary artery calcium and plaque burden. Soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand was lower in HIV-infected individuals than controls [2.52 (1.08-3.98) vs. 3.33 (2.44-4.64) pg/mL, P = 0.01, median (IQR) respectively]. Soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand was negatively associated with the number of coronary segments with plaque (Spearman ρ = -0.41, P < 0.001) and Agatston calcium score (ρ = -0.30, P < 0.01) in HIV-infected individuals even after adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors.
authors: Program in Nutritional Metabolism, Neuroendocrine Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors: Janice J
authors: JJ
authors: Hwang
authors: Jeffrey
authors: J
authors: Wei
authors: Suhny
authors: S
authors: Abbara
authors: Steven K
authors: SK
authors: Grinspoon
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Lo
mesh_terms: D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053244:Osteoprotegerin / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D053244:Osteoprotegerin; D053245:RANK Ligand; C505688:TNFSF11 protein, human