HIV-associated_lipodystrophy
HIV-associated lipodystrophy
Medical condition
HIV-associated lipodystrophy is a condition characterized by loss of subcutaneous fat associated with infection with HIV.[1]: 497
| HIV-associated lipodystrophy | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Lipodystrophy in HIV-infected patients (LD-HIV) |
| Specialty | Immunology, dermatology, infectious diseases, endocrinology  |
HIV-associated lipodystrophy commonly presents with fat loss in face, buttocks, arms and legs.[citation needed]
There is also fat accumulation in various body parts. Patients often present with "buffalo hump"-like fat deposits in their upper backs. Breast size of patients (both male and female) tends to increase. In addition, patients develop abdominal obesity.[citation needed]
The exact mechanism of HIV-associated lipodystrophy is not fully elucidated. There is evidence indicating both that it can be caused by anti-retroviral medications and that it can be caused by HIV infection in the absence of anti-retroviral medication.[citation needed]
Evidence implicating anti-retroviral medications
On the one hand, lipodystrophy seems to be mainly due to HIV-1 protease inhibitors. Interference with lipid metabolism is postulated as pathophysiology. Also, the development of lipodystrophy is associated with specific nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI). Mitochondrial toxicity is postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis associated with NRTI.[2]
Evidence implicating HIV infection alone
On the other hand, there is evidence that HIV-1 infection on its own contributes to the development of the lipodystrophic phenotype by interfering with some key genes of adipocyte differentiation and mitochondrial function on patients which have not received antiretroviral treatment.[3]
GHRH analogs such as tesamorelin can be used to treat HIV-associated lipodystrophy.[citation needed]
Reversion of lipodystrophy does not occur after withdrawal of protease inhibitors.[2]
- James, William D.; Berger, Timothy G.; et al. (2006). Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: clinical Dermatology. Saunders Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-7216-2921-6.
- Giralt M, Domingo P, Guallar JP, et al. (2006). "HIV-1 infection alters gene expression in adipose tissue, which contributes to HIV- 1/HAART-associated lipodystrophy". Antivir Ther. 11 (6): 729–40. doi:10.1177/135965350601100610. PMID 17310817. S2CID 28195183.