Title:Association of Lower Adiponectin Plasma Levels, Increased Age and Smoking with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with HIV-1 Infection
Volume: 18
Issue: 4
Author(s): Philipe Quagliato Bellinati, Daniela Frizon Alfieri, Tamires Flauzino, Paulo Fernando Gasparetto Junior, Diogo Jorge Rossi, José Wander Breganó, Andrea Name Colado Simão, Elaine Regina Delicato de Almeida, Marcell Alysson Batisti Lozovoy and Edna Maria Vissoci Reiche*
Affiliation:
- Laboratory of Research in Applied Immunology, Health Sciences Center, Londrina State University, Londrina, Paraná,Brazil
Keywords:
HIV-1, adiponectin, subclinical atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness, inflammation, biomarker.
Abstract: Background: The association between subclinical atherosclerosis and traditional cardiovascular
disease (CVD) risk factors, inflammatory and metabolic biomarkers has been demonstrated
around the world and specifically Brazilian human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-
infected individuals. However, the association between subclinical atherosclerosis and these aforementioned
factors combined with anti-inflammatory biomarkers has not been examined in these
populations.
Objectives: To evaluate the association of the carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) with CVD
risk factors, inflammatory, metabolic and HIV-1 infection markers combined with adiponectin and
interleukin (IL)-10 as anti-inflammatory variables.
Methods: In this case-control study, 49 HIV-1-infected patients on combined antiretroviral therapy
(cART) and 85 controls were compared for traditional CVD risk factors, inflammatory, metabolic,
and anti-inflammatory variables. Further, we compared HIV-1-infected patients according to their
cIMT (as continuous and categorized <0.9 or ≥0.9 mm variable) visualized by carotid ultrasonography
doppler (USGD).
Results: Twenty-four (48.9%) HIV-1-infected patients showed cIMT ≥0.9 mm. The patients had
higher levels of C reactive protein on high sensitivity assay (hsCRP), tumor necrosis factor α, IL-6,
IL-10, triglycerides, and insulin, and lower levels of adiponectin, total cholesterol and low-density
lipoprotein cholesterol than controls (all p<0.05). Low levels of adiponectin were negatively associated
with cIMT ≥0.9 mm (p=0.019), and explained 18.7% of the cIMT variance. Age (p=0.033)
and current smoking (p=0.028) were positively associated with cIMT values, while adiponectin
levels (p=0.008) were negatively associated with cIMT values; together, these three variables explained
27.3% of cIMT variance.
Conclusion: Low adiponectin was associated with higher cIMT in HIV-1-infected patients on
cART. Low adiponectin levels in combination with age and smoking could explain, in part, the increased
subclinical atherosclerosis observed in these patients. Adiponectin may be a good candidate
for predicting subclinical atherosclerosis in the management of HIV-1-infected patients in public
health care, especially where USGD is not available.
