Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Multicenter Study
. 2017 Jan 28;31(3):365-373.
doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001334.

Sex differences in the association of HIV infection with hepatic steatosis

Ani Kardashian  1 , Yifei Ma, Rebecca Scherzer, Jennifer C Price, Monika Sarkar, Natalie Korn, Kyle Tillinghast, Marion G Peters, Susan M Noworolski, Phyllis C Tien
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Sex differences in the association of HIV infection with hepatic steatosis

Ani Kardashian et al. AIDS. .

Abstract

Background: Hepatic steatosis is increasing worldwide. Whether HIV and its associated metabolic perturbations exacerbate steatosis is unclear. Sex differences in adipose tissue distribution may also affect steatosis risk. We examined the contribution of HIV and sex to steatosis.

Methods: Using MRI and spectroscopy, visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and liver fat fraction (LFF) were measured in 121 HIV-infected and 107 uninfected men and women without viral hepatitis. Differences in LFF by HIV status and sex were evaluated using multivariable linear regression, adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, VAT, homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance, and HIV-related factors.

Results: HIV-infected women had lower LFF than uninfected women (demographic-adjusted mean: 1.9 vs. 3.1%; P = 0.028); LFF was similar in HIV-infected and uninfected men (4.6 vs. 4.1%; P = 0.78). HIV-infected and uninfected women had less VAT than men (median: 139 and 161 vs. 201 cm and 188 cm, respectively). After adjustment, HIV-infected women had 34% [95% confidence interval (CI): -54%, -5.5%] lower LFF than uninfected women, whereas there was little difference in men (-5.5%; 95% CI: -26%, 21%). Among HIV-infected persons, greater VAT and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance were associated with greater LFF. HIV-related factors (CD4 cell count, HIV RNA level, or antiretroviral therapy use) had little association with LFF. Although HIV-infected men had 81% (95% CI: 32%, 148%) greater LFF than HIV-infected women, the association was attenuated after multivariable adjustment (25%; 95% CI: -9.1%, 73%).

Conclusion: Contrary to expectation, HIV infection is not associated with greater steatosis compared with uninfected adults. It is possible that less fat is stored in the liver to maintain subcutaneous fat (which is reduced in HIV) and the effect is magnified in HIV-infected women, who also have less VAT.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Potential competing interests: The authors do not have any commercial or other associations that might pose a conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Age and race/ethnicity-adjusted mean liver fat fraction (expressed in percent) in HIV-infected and uninfected women and men.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Smith CJ, Ryom L, Weber R, Morlat P, Pradier C, Reiss P, et al. Trends in underlying causes of death in people with HIV from 1999 to 2011 (D:A:D): a multicohort collaboration. Lancet. 2014;384:241–248. - PubMed
    1. Crum-Cianflone N, Dilay A, Collins G, Asher D, Campin R, Medina S, et al. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease among HIV-infected persons. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2009;50:464–473. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Guaraldi G, Squillace N, Stentarelli C, Orlando G, D’Amico R, Ligabue G, et al. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in HIV-infected patients referred to a metabolic clinic: prevalence, characteristics, and predictors. Clin Infect Dis. 2008;47:250–257. - PubMed
    1. Hadigan C, Liebau J, Andersen R, Holalkere NS, Sahani DV. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of hepatic lipid content and associated risk factors in HIV infection. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2007;46:312–317. - PubMed
    1. Lazo M, Clark JM. The epidemiology of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a global perspective. Semin Liver Dis. 2008;28:339–350. - PubMed

Publication types