Altered fat distribution in HIV-positive men on nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor therapy

To determine whether HIV infection, the wasting syndrome, or nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) or protease inhibitor (PI) therapy uniquely affect fat distribution in men, we performed manual regional analysis of total, appendicular, trunk, and central abdominal fat measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Five groups of study subjects were identified for this cross-sectional analysis: HIV-negative controls (HIV-; N = 44) and four groups of HIV-positive subjects: antiretroviral (ARV)-naive or with limited prior use of NRTIs (ARV-; N = 23); on NRTIs for > or =6 months but PI-naive (NRTI; N = 30); on an NRTI/PI regimen for > or =6 months but with no complaints of abnormal fat distribution (NRTI/PI; N = 26); and those on NRTIs but PI-naive with the wasting syndrome (NRTI/WS; N = 40). Total, appendicular, trunk, and central abdominal fat was significantly lower in NRTI/WS. The ratio of trunk fat to appendicular fat was virtually identical in HIV- and ARV-. This ratio was significantly higher in the NRTI, NRTI/PI, and NRTI/WS groups, and values in these three groups were similar. These cross-sectional data suggest that HIV-infected men receiving NRTIs have an altered pattern of fat distribution, compared with HIV-negative men and HIV-positive men who are not receiving antiretroviral therapy. This effect was independent of the concomitant use of a PI or a diagnosis of the wasting syndrome. We saw no evidence of a unique effect of HIV infection per se on regional fat distribution. Although the fat ratio is increasingly employed, its physiologic significance is unclear. Our results, which have been obtained retrospectively, are intended to provide the impetus for prospective, controlled studies of the interactions among drug and host factors in the development of fat distribution abnormalities.

Changes in small intestinal structure and function in HIV-infected patients with chronic diarrhoea

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is often combined with unexplainable diarrhoea and weight loss. This study was designed to see if changes in the intestinal mucosal structure could explain the malabsorption found in HIV-infected patients with diarrhoea. Twenty acquired immunodeficiency system (AIDS) patients, 19 men and 1 woman, CD4 < 0.01, with severe weight loss and with non-infectious chronic diarrhoea, were evaluated using a new intestinal function test (D-xylose breath test). Fifteen of the subjects were examined with an upper intestinal endoscopy with biopsy specimens taken from the duodenal mucosa. The function test showed that the D-xylose uptake was markedly decreased to the same extent as for patients with coeliac disease (breath index AIDS patients 9.4 (4.3-14.4), coeliac patients 15.6 (7.6-23.6), reference level 2.5 (2.4-2.9), urine excretion AIDS patients 20% (13-26), coeliac patients 22% (14-24), reference level 37% (32-42)). The severe malabsorption could not be explained by the slight mucosal changes occasionally seen by light microscopy with small mucosal inflammation and almost normal villi. However, electron microscopy showed enterocytes with signs of hypofunction and degeneration correlating better to the intestinal malabsorption found in patients with advanced HIV infection and chronic diarrhoea.

Short-term progressive resistance training increases strength and lean body mass in adults infected with human immunodeficiency virus

BACKGROUND

To assess the efficacy of progressive resistance training (PRT) in increasing strength and lean body mass (LBM) in HIV-infected adults.

METHODS

Twenty-five adults with HIV infection were trained using a highly intensive PRT regimen for 8 weeks, followed by an additional 8 weeks of observation under ad libitum physical activity conditions.

RESULTS

Twenty-four of the 25 patients completed the first phase of the study. They had significant increases in strength on all four exercises tested (P < 0.0001), and an increase in LBM of 1.75 +/- 1.94 kg (mean +/- SD, P < 0.0002), with a concomitant decline in fat of 0.92 +/- 2.22 kg (P < 0.05), and no significant change in weight or bone mineral content. Twenty-one of the patients returned for follow-up 8 weeks after completing the PRT. Compared with their baseline values, their mean lean mass remained 1.40 +/- 1.8 kg higher (P < 0.003). Among those who continued to train to some extent, lean mass increased by a mean of 1.1 +/- 1.6 kg (n = 9, P < 0.05 versus end of PRT), whereas those who did no further training showed an increase in lean mass of 0.28 +/- 1.4 kg (n = 12, P = NS versus end of PRT). The difference between the two groups was not, however, significant (P = 0.25). Among six patients with AIDS wasting, the increase in LBM was larger than among non-wasted patients (2.8 versus 1.4 kg, P < 0.06), and there was an increase in both weight (+3.9 versus -0.2 kg, P < 0.002) and fat mass (+ 0.95 versus -1.5 kg, P < 0.002) at 8 weeks, which persisted at 16 weeks (weight: +4.0 versus -1.6 kg, P < 0.0002; fat: +1.6 versus -1.9 kg, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study suggests that short-term, high intensity PRT can significantly increase LBM and strength in HIV infection, and may be used as an alternative or adjunct to pharmacological anabolic treatments in this disease.

Malnutrition in HIV infection

Malnutrition is a common complication of HIV infection and plays a significant and independent role in morbidity and mortality. Many studies have been conducted to assess the appropriate role of nutrition in the clinical management of HIV infection. The complex nature of AIDS wasting, however, requires individualized strategies when providing nutritional support. Algorithms to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition in HIV infection serve as general guidelines.