Lipid profile and renal safety of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-based anti-retroviral therapy in HIV-infected Chinese patients

A lipid index for risk of hyperlipidemia caused by anti-retroviral drugs

HIV-associated lipodystrophy has been reported in people taking anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Lipodystrophy can cause cardiovascular diseases, affecting the quality of life of HIV-infected individuals. In this study, we propose a pharmacological lipid index to estimate the risk of hyperlipidemia caused by anti-retroviral drugs. Lipid droplets were stained in cells treated with anti-retroviral drugs and cyclosporin A. Signal intensities of lipid droplets were plotted against the drug concentrations to obtain an isodose of 10 μM of cyclosporin A, which we call the Pharmacological Lipid Index (PLI). The PLI was then normalized by EC50. PLI/EC50 values were low in early proteinase inhibitors and the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, d4T, indicating high risk of hyperlipidemia, which is consistent with previous findings of hyperlipidemia. In contrast, there are few reports of hyperlipidemia for drugs with high PLI/EC50 scores. Data suggests that PLI/EC50 is a useful index for estimating the risk of hyperlipidemia.

Estimated glomerular filtration rate partially recovered in patients without Hypertriglyceridemia during Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate treatment

BACKGROUND

Decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment remains a concern, and few patients experience partial recovery of eGFR. This study aimed to investigate the risk factors for eGFR recovery in patients with and without hypertriglyceridemia.

METHODS

A total of 203 patients with chronic HBV infection were prospectively recruited and followed up for three years. Data were collected at baseline, first, second, and third years during TDF treatment.

RESULTS

Most patients achieved normal ALT (80.0% vs. 82.5%) and undetectable HBV DNA (95.0% vs. 95.6%) in both groups (p > 0.05). For patients with hypertriglyceridemia, eGFR and cholesterol did not change significantly during the 3-year follow-up, while triglyceride (TG) decreased significantly in the first year and persisted at a lower level in the subsequent two years. For patients without hypertriglyceridemia, eGFR declined significantly in the first year of treatment, then gradually recovered during the subsequent two years, and eGFR was negatively correlated with TG at the four time points. Fifteen (15/183, 8.2%) patients without hypertriglyceridemia experienced eGFR partial recovery in the third year. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that baseline eGFR <90 mL/(min·1.73 m²) (p < 0.01; 95% CI: 0.019-0.284) and age (p < 0.01; 95% CI: 0.817-0.960) were independent risk factors for eGFR recovery.

CONCLUSION

eGFR partially recovered in patients without hypertriglyceridemia during TDF treatment, and TG regulation might be a useful strategy to hinder renal function decline, although larger, confirmatory studies are necessary to validate our findings.Key messagesFor patients with normal triglyceride, eGFR declined significantly at the first year of TDF treatment, then gradually recovered during the subsequent two years, and eGFR was negatively correlated with TG. Baseline eGFR <90 mL/(min·1.73 m²) and age were independent risk factors for eGFR recovery.

Elevated indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity is associated with endothelial dysfunction in people living with HIV and ROS production in human aortic endothelial cells in vitro

The precise role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among people living with HIV (PLWH) is still under debate, despite recognized links. This study aimed to investigate the impact of elevated IDO activity on endothelial dysfunction in PLWH. A total of 38 PLWH, who had not previously received anti-retroviral therapy (ART), were enrolled in the study. These participants were monitored for 36 months following the initiation of ART. Measurements including plasma levels of IDO activity, markers of endothelial dysfunction, inflammatory factors, and lipids. In vitro, human aortic endothelial cells (HAEC) were exposed to interferon-γ, an IDO inhibitor, a kynurenine 3-hydroxylase (KMO) inhibitor, as well as different concentrations of kynurenine. Pre-ART, PLWH demonstrated notably elevated plasma concentrations of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1(sVCAM-1), and IDO activity in comparison to healthy controls. Post-ART, both IDO activity and sICAM-1 levels experienced a significant decrease, with IDO activity reaching levels comparable to those observed in healthy controls. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between IDO activity and sICAM-1 (p = 0.0002), as well as sVCAM-1 (p < 0.0001) before ART. In vitro, the augmentation of kynurenine concentration in the medium and the induction of IDO expression in HAEC resulted in increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), with minimal impact on endothelial dysfunction. From these findings, it can be concluded that long-term ART has the potential to restore the heightened IDO activity observed in PLWH. The overexpression of IDO primarily influences the expression of ROS in HAEC.

Effect of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy on Fundus Images and Retinal Microvessel Diameter in HIV/AIDS Patients

Introduction

We aimed to investigate whether there were changes in fundus picture and retinal microvascularity of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) who were treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods

From July 2015 to November 2016, 130 HIV/AIDS patients were collected by the Yunnan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine, including 63 treatment-naïve patients and 67 that received HAART for 12 months. Fundus picture lesions, retinal microvascular diameters, CD4+ T lymphocyte count and HIV-1 plasma viral loads were compared between the two groups. The recruited patients were mainly young and middle-aged, with more males than females. There were no significant differences in smoking history, comorbidities and opportunistic infections between the two groups.

Results

According to the analysis results from SPSS 20.0 software, the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the treated patients (563.34±2.56 cells/μL) increased significantly (P=0.009) as compared with untreated patients (451.37±2.10 cells/μL), and the HIV-1 plasma viral load reduced considerably (4794 vs 0 copy/mL, P=0.000). No significant differences were observed from the fundus picture of patients after effective HAART therapy, including the retinal artery diameter, venous diameter and arteriovenous diameter ratio.

Dynamic changes of estimated glomerular filtration rate are conversely related to triglyceride in non-overweight patients

BACKGROUND

Correlation between Triglyceride (TG) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remains largely unknown in overweight and non-overweight patients.

AIM

To investigated the dynamic changes of eGFR and lipid profiles during 3-year tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and overweight.

METHODS

A total of 202 CHB patients who received TDF treatment at the Third People's Hospital of Changzhou (Changzhou, China) and Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital (Nanjing, China) between January 2016 and May 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the body mass index (BMI) at the initiation of TDF treatment, CHB patients were divided into overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²) and non-overweight (BMI < 25 kg/m²) groups. Logistic regression was applied for the analysis of risk factors for eGFR < 90 mL/(min·1.73 m²).

RESULTS

There is no significant difference in hepatitis B virus DNA (HBV DNA) negativity and hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg) loss between patients with overweight and non-overweight (both P > 0.05). More patients in non-overweight group achieved alanine aminotransferase normalization compared with those in overweight group (χ² = 11.036, P < 0.01). In non-overweight patients, the eGFR significantly declined in the 1^st year (P < 0.01), then remained at a relatively lower level. TG significantly declined in the 2^nd year (P = 0.02) and increased in the 3^rd year. Moreover, TG was negatively correlated with GFR at the four-time points (P = 0.002, 0.030, 0.007, 0.008, respectively). In overweight patients, eGFR and TG remained relatively stable during the 3-year treatment, and eGFR showed no significant relationship with TG. Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that age [P < 0.01, 95%CI (0.97-1.005)] and baseline eGFR [P < 0.01, 95%CI (5.056-33.668)] were independent risk factors for eGFR < 90 mL/(min·1.73 m²) at the 3^rd year.

CONCLUSION

Dynamic changes in renal function were conversely related to TG during TDF treatment in patients with CHB and normal BMI, but not with overweight.

Dyslipidemia and Associated Factors in Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate-Based Regimen Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Ethiopian Patients: A Hospital-Based Observational Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Studies showed conflicting results regarding the effect of broadly used tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)-based regimen on lipid profiles, and in Ethiopia, there is no data regarding the magnitude of dyslipidemia and its associated factors.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of dyslipidemia and its associated factors among adult human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in TDF-based regimen in Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH) in Ethiopia.

Methods

A hospital-based observational prospective cohort study was conducted on conveniently selected 63 patients in TASH from January to September, 2019. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 21.0, and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine associated factors with dyslipidemia.

Results

The overall dyslipidemia was 73% and 77.8% at baseline and six months, respectively. The prevalence of total cholesterol (TC) ≥200 mg/d, triglyceride (TG) ≥150 mg/dL, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) ≥130 mg/dL, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) <40 mg/dL was 38.1% vs 42.9%, 23.8% vs 31.7%, 17.5% vs 22.2%, and 41.3% vs 41.3% at baseline and six month follow-up, respectively. Age ≥50 years old (AOR = 0.6, 95% CI: 0.004-0.71, p = 0.026) and body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m² (AOR = 6.44, 95% CI: 1.34-30.9, p = 0.02) were significantly associated with TC ≥200 mg/dL. Having cancer (AOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.6, p = 0.019) and education level below diploma (AOR = 9.47, 95% CI: 1.15-77.96, p = 0.037) were significantly associated with overall dyslipidemia.

Conclusion

In this study, the proportion of patients with dyslipidemia was higher at six month follow-up but there was no significant difference when compared to baseline. The mean LDL-c was significantly higher at six months compared to its baseline mean. The associated factors with dyslipidemia were age, BMI, having cancer and low level of education. Lipid profile monitoring is recommended in patients with a younger age and higher BMI.

Tenofovir alafenamide vs. tenofovir disoproxil fumarate: an updated meta-analysis of 14 894 patients across 14 trials

BACKGROUND

Both tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF)/emtricitabine and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF)/emtricitabine demonstrate excellent efficacy and safety overall, but concerns remain over specific changes in markers of bone and renal function. Lower plasma tenofovir concentrations are seen with TAF and in unboosted regimens. We assess TAF vs. TDF safety with and without booster coformulation.

METHODS

A previous systematic review was updated with recent clinical trials. TAF vs. TDF efficacy and safety were compared in boosted and unboosted subgroups. Efficacy was measured by viral suppression. Key safety endpoints included all adverse events, serious adverse events, Grades 3-4 adverse events and adverse event discontinuation. Further specific renal and bone markers were also assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 14 clinical trials comparing TDF and TAF regimens were identified. A significant difference (P = 0.0004) in efficacy was shown in the boosted subgroup in favour of TAF, but no difference was seen in the unboosted subgroup. There were no significant differences between TAF and TDF for any of the key safety endpoints analysed. No differences were seen for the bone markers analysed. No difference was found for renal tubular events. There was a difference in risk for discontinuation due to renal adverse events when boosted (P = 0.03), but none when unboosted.

CONCLUSION

Across all main safety endpoints, no differences between TAF and TDF are seen. Boosted TDF regimens were associated with lesser comparative efficacy than boosted TAF and a higher risk of renal event discontinuation. However, modern antiretroviral regimens are more commonly unboosted. This study finds no difference in efficacy or safety in unboosted TAF vs. TDF.

Efficacy and safety of lower dose tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and efavirenz versus standard dose in HIV-infected, antiretroviral-naive adults: a multicentre, randomized, noninferiority trial

Reduced doses of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs may lower toxicity while preserving efficacy. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of reduced doses of both tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and efavirenz for the treatment of HIV-1 infection. In this open-label, non-inferiority trial, HIV-1-infected antiretroviral-naive adults were randomly assigned to receive either a lower dose anti-retroviral regimen comprised of TDF (200 mg), efavirenz (400 mg), and standard dose lamivudine (300 mg) or the standard dose regimen. The primary endpoint was the proportion of participants with HIV-1 RNA≤ 50 copies/mL at week 48 using a non-inferiority margin of –10%. At week 48, 79 of 92 (85.9%) participants in the lower dose regimen group and 78 of 92 (84.8%) in the standard dose regimen group achieved HIV-1 RNA≤ 50 copies/mL (treatment difference 1.1%, 95% CI −9.1 to 11.3) in the intention-to-treat analysis. Drug-related adverse events occurred more frequently in the participants receiving the standard dose regimen compared with the lower dose one (63.0% vs 80.4%). Changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate and bone mineral density were comparable between the two groups. The non-inferior efficacy and better safety profile of the lower dose ARV regimen support its use as alternative initial therapy for HIV-1 infected patients.