Non-traditional adipokines in pediatric HIV-related lipodystrophy: a-FABP as a biomarker of central fat accumulation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Lipodystrophy characterized by adipose tissue redistribution and lipid and glucose metabolism abnormalities, is common among HIV-infected adults and children on highly-active-antiretroviral-therapy (HAART). In a previous study of HIV-infected children, we did not detect insulin resistance, despite a high percentage of body fat redistribution abnormalities.

AIM OF THE STUDY:

To investigate the non-traditional adipokines Retinol-binding-Protein-4 (RBP4), neutrophil-gelatinase-associated-lipocalin (NGAL), a-Fatty-Acid-Binding-Protein (a-FABP) and YKL-40 in HIV-infected children on highly-active-antiretroviral-therapy and evaluate their possible association to lipodystrophic changes or insulin resistance.

METHODS:

Seventeen vertically HIV-infected children (mean age: 12.5 years, mean duration of HAART: 5.2 years) and 20 age- and BMI-matched controls were recruited. The HIV-children were re-evaluated after 12 months. RBP4, NGAL, a-FABP and YKL-40 were assessed at study entry and 12 months later and were correlated to body fat content and insulin resistance.

RESULTS:

RBP4 values were similar at study entry and 12 months later in HIV-children and controls and showed no correlation to body fat or insulin resistance. NGAL was lower in HIV children at study entry but normalized after 12 months with no positive correlation to insulin resistance. a-FABP was positively correlated to body fat content, especially to trunk fat, both at initial evaluation and at follow-up in HIV children and, after prolonged highly-active-antiretroviral-therapy, it was also positively correlated to insulin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study is the first one to demonstrate that a-FABP could be a useful marker in unraveling central fat accumulation in HIV-infected children on highly-active-antiretroviral-therapy. Large prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.

• Authors: Kalliopi Theodoridou, Alexandra Margeli, Vana Spoulou, Irini Bathrellou, Chrysanthi Skevaki, George P Chrousos, Ioannis Papassotiriou, Christina Kanaka-Gantenbein
• Journal: Scandinavian journal of clinical and laboratory investigation (Scand J Clin Lab Invest) Vol. 74 Issue 1 Pg. 67-73 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1502-7686 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 24266781 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Acute-Phase Proteins
• Adipokines
• Anti-HIV Agents
• Biomarkers
• CHI3L1 protein, human
• Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
• FABP4 protein, human
• Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins
• LCN2 protein, human
• Lectins
• Lipocalin-2
• Lipocalins
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins
• RBP4 protein, human
• Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma

Topics

• Abdominal Fat (drug effects, pathology)
• Acute-Phase Proteins
• Adipokines (blood)
• Adiposity (drug effects)
• Adolescent
• Anti-HIV Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active (adverse effects)
• Biomarkers (blood)
• Body Fat Distribution
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Chitinase-3-Like Protein 1
• Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins (blood)
• Female
• HIV Infections (blood, drug therapy)
• Humans
• Lectins (blood)
• Lipocalin-2
• Lipocalins (blood)
• Lipodystrophy (blood, chemically induced)
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Proto-Oncogene Proteins (blood)
• Retinol-Binding Proteins, Plasma (metabolism)
• Risk