Serum Adiponectin and Metabolic Alterations in HIV Patients on HAART: Evidence from Rivers State University Teaching Hospital
Prince Ohaka Thankgod
*
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Brown Holy
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Ebirien-Agana Samuel Bartimaeus
Department of Clinical Chemistry, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Alterations in adiponectin levels among HIV-infected individuals receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have been associated with cardiometabolic risk. However, adiponectin and metabolic parameters among people living with HIV on HAART remain insufficiently investigated.
Aim: To evaluate adiponectin concentrations and some selected metabolic indices associated with obesity and lipid metabolism among HIV-positive individuals on HAART at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 50 HIV-infected adults on HAART and 39 apparently healthy HIV-negative controls. Demographic data were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were determined using standard procedures. Serum adiponectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), fasting glucose by the glucose oxidase method and lipid profile parameters enzymatically, with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol calculated using the Friedewald equation. Derived cardiometabolic indices were computed using standard formulae. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26, with statistical significance set at p < .05.
Results: There were no significant differences (p > .05) between HIV-infected individuals on HAART and HIV-negative controls in adiponectin, fasting glucose, lipid profile parameters, or most cardiometabolic indices. However, lipid accumulation product (LAP) (50.282±16.93 vs 46.35±19.37), visceral adiposity index (VAI) (0.92 ± 0.40 vs. 0.76 ± 0.93), body roundness index (BRI) (8.72 ± 0.69 vs. 6.66 ± 0.70), and weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) (8.30 ± 0.51 vs. 5.55 ± 0.51) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) among HIV-infected individuals on HAART compared with HIV-negative controls.
Conclusion: Adiponectin levels and most metabolic paramaters did not differ significantly between HIV-infected individuals on HAART and HIV-negative controls. Nonetheless, elevated adiposity-related indices (LAP, VAI, BRI, and WWI) among HIV subjects on HAART suggest a potential subclinical cardiometabolic risk. Routine monitoring of these indices in HIV care is recommended, and larger population-based studies in Port Harcourt are warranted to further elucidate these findings.
Keywords: HIV, HAART, adiponectin, metabolic indices