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. 2010 Jan 15;201(2):285-92.
doi: 10.1086/649560.

High-density lipoprotein particles and markers of inflammation and thrombotic activity in patients with untreated HIV infection

Jason Baker  1 , Woubeshet Ayenew, Harrison Quick, Katherine Huppler Hullsiek, Russell Tracy, Keith Henry, Daniel Duprez, James D Neaton
Affiliations

High-density lipoprotein particles and markers of inflammation and thrombotic activity in patients with untreated HIV infection

Jason Baker et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Untreated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is associated with changes in blood lipids, inflammation, thrombotic activity, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease.

Methods: We studied high-density lipoprotein particle (HDLp) concentrations and inflammatory (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP] and interleukin [IL] 6), endothelial activation (E-selectin and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [sICAM-1]), and thrombotic (fibrinogen and D-dimer) biomarkers in a group of 32 untreated HIV-infected and 29 uninfected persons. Differences in the levels of blood lipids and biomarkers by HIV status were examined before and after adjustment for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, body mass index, and the presence of hepatitis C.

Results: HIV-infected participants, compared with uninfected participants, had lower HDL cholesterol (HDLc) levels (-26%) and HDLp numbers (-21%), with reductions in large (-50%) and small (-20%) HDLp, specifically (P < or = .01 for all). A trend was present for higher total cholesterol (P = .15 and triglyceride levels (P = .11) among individuals with HIV infection. Levels of IL-6, sICAM-1, and D-dimer were 65%-70% higher in HIV-infected participants (P < or = .02 for all). Covariate adjustment did not diminish these associations. For HIV-infected participants, total and small HDLp (respectively) tended to correlate inversely with levels of IL-6 (P = .08 and P = .02), sICAM-1 (P < .01 for both) and D-dimer (P = .03 and p < .01).

Conclusions: Persons with untreated HIV infection have lower HDLp (primarily large and small HDLp) and higher IL-6, sICAM-1, and D-dimer levels, and the relationship of these markers to HIV-mediated atherosclerotic risk requires further study.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest: Keith Henry has received research support from Bristol-Meyers Squibb, Tibotec, Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Serono, Thera, and Pfizer. No other authors list conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Adjusted Percent Difference in HDL Measures and Biomarkers by HIV status
For each measure, the percent difference between the HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected group is plotted with error bars reflecting 95% confidence intervals. The percent difference was calculated after adjustment for age, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking status, BMI, and hepatitis C infection. Results indicate that HIV infection is associated with a decrease in HDL measures, and higher levels of IL-6, sICAM-1 and D-dimer levels.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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