Pathogenesis and management of lipoatrophy

Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2008 May;5(2):55-63. doi: 10.1007/s11904-008-0010-8.

Abstract

Despite impressive decreases in mortality and morbidity, significant adverse events have surfaced as a result of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). They include lipoatrophy, or subcutaneous fat wasting of the face, arms, buttocks, or legs, which can be associated with central fat accumulation. Although the underlying mechanism of ART-related body fat abnormalities has not been definitively established, mitochondrial toxicity is increasingly implicated in the lipoatrophy component of these fat abnormalities. Several studies evaluating switches off of nucleoside analogues have showed modest but statistically significant increases in limb fat. Because ART switches result in slow and small improvements and are not an option in many patients, other therapeutic interventions are needed. Although peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor chi agonist thiazolidinediones would be expected to have positive effects on lipoatrophy, initial clinical studies are conflicting. Other interventions of uridine, pravastatin, and facial fillers have been evaluated in small studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / physiopathology
  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects*
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / chemically induced
  • HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / physiopathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors / adverse effects*
  • Thiazolidinediones / therapeutic use
  • Uridine / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • HIV Protease Inhibitors
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
  • Thiazolidinediones
  • Uridine