title: Plasma homocysteine levels in HIV-infected men with and without lipodystrophy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lipodystrophy syndrome is an unexpected clinical manifestation in patients infected with HIV and might be a clinical marker of increased risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Because hyperhomocysteinemia has been associated with CVD, the goal of the present study was to investigate homocysteine (Hcy) levels and their association with the factors of lipodystrophy syndrome in men with HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hcy metabolism-related molecules were determined in 13 men infected with HIV with lipodystrophy (HIV+LIP), 10 men with HIV without lipodystrophy (HIV), and 10 healthy controls (C).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant (P < 0.05) increased Hcy plasma levels were found in HIV (20.5%) and in HIV+LIP (35.2%) compared with the control group. Plasma levels of vitamin B12 (HIV, 26.5%; HIV+LIP, 28.8%) and folate (HIV, 39.1% and HIV+LIP, 49.4%) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the two groups of HIV patients compared with control. HIV+LIP men presented raised plasma total sulfur-containing amino acids (20.1%) and lower total plasma thiol (11.3%) than controls. The same was not observed in the HIV group. Spearman's correlation test revealed significant (P < 0.05) association between plasma Hcy and duration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and plasma insulin, as well as plasma adiponectin levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results demonstrated that HIV+LIP men were more susceptible to disturbances in Hcy metabolism compared with men infected with HIV without lipodystrophy characteristics. Duration of HAART treatment, elevated plasma insulin, and low levels of adiponectin seem to be relevant for the appearance of these Hcy metabolic disorders.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirao Preto, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Department of Physical Education, Institute of Physical Education and Sport, State University of Londrina, Campus Universitário, Londrina, Paraná, Brazil. Electronic address: deminice@ig.com.br.
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Deminice
authors.forename: Helena S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Vassimon
authors.forename: Alcyone A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Machado
authors.forename: Francisco J A
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: de Paula
authors.forename: Jacqueline P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.forename: Alceu A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Jordao
mesh_terms: D052242:Adiponectin / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014805:Vitamin B 12 / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D007328:Insulin; D006710:Homocysteine; D005492:Folic Acid; D014805:Vitamin B 12
keywords: HIV; Homocysteine; Lipodystrophy; Sulfur-containing amino acids