Hypertriglyceridemia in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1989. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Hypertriglyceridemia in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Am J Med. 1989 Jan;86(1):27-31. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/89086460
Grunfeld C; Kotler DP; Hamadeh R; Tierney A; Wang J; Pierson RN; Metabolism Section, Veterans Administration Medical Center, San; Francisco, California 94121.

Abstract: PURPOSE: A relationship between the induction of hypertriglyceridemia by cytokines and the cachexia seen in chronic infection has been proposed by other investigators. Since patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) often experience progressive tissue wasting, we decided to examine serum lipid levels and body cell mass in patients with AIDS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum lipid levels and body cell mass were measured in 32 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), eight asymptomatic subjects who were anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody positive, and 17 heterosexual and homosexual control subjects who did not have antibodies to HIV. RESULTS: Mean triglyceride concentrations and the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia (50 percent) were significantly increased in patients with AIDS compared with control subjects (p less than 0.002 and p less than 0.005, respectively), whereas the mean triglyceride levels of HIV-positive subjects were intermediate. There were no differences in cholesterol levels among the three groups. Using total body potassium adjusted for height and age (KHT) as a measure of body cell mass, 16 of 32 patients with AIDS but none of the HIV-positive or control subjects had significant depletion of body cell mass. There was no direct relationship between triglyceride levels and KHT among AIDS or HIV-positive subjects. In patients with AIDS, mean triglyceride levels and the prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia were similar in the presence and absence of wasting. CONCLUSION: Hypertriglyceridemia is a common finding in AIDS and is independent of the degree of wasting.

Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/BLOOD/*COMPLICATIONS Body Composition Body Height Human Hypertriglyceridemia/BLOOD/*COMPLICATIONS HIV Seropositivity/BLOOD/*COMPLICATIONS Male Nutrition Disorders/METABOLISM Potassium/ANALYSIS Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. JOURNAL ARTICLE

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M8940203

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