Proceedings of the annual meeting of the European Consortium of Lipodystrophies (ECLip) Cambridge, UK, 7-8 April 2022

Lipodystrophy syndromes are rare diseases with defects in the development or maintenance of adipose tissue, frequently leading to severe metabolic complications. They may be genetic or acquired, with variable clinical forms, and are largely underdiagnosed. The European Consortium of Lipodystrophies, ECLip, is a fully functional non-profit network of European centers of excellence working in the field of lipodystrophies. It provides a favorable environment to promote large Europe-wide and international collaborations to increase the basic scientific understanding and clinical management of these diseases. It works with patient advocacy groups to increase public awareness. The network also promotes a European Patient Registry of lipodystrophies, as a collaborative research platform for consortium members. The annual congress organized gives an update of the findings of network research groups, highlighting clinical and fundamental aspects. The talks presented during the meeting in Cambridge, UK, in 2022 are summarized in these minutes.

Nephrotic range proteinuria associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis reversed with pioglitazone therapy in a patient with Dunnigan type lipodystrophy

Familial partiallipodystrophy (FPLD)is a rare disorder associated withsevere insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, lowserumHDLcholesterol and proteinuricrenaldisease. Although proteinuric renal disease is not common among in patients with partial lipodystrophy, we report a patient with Dunnigan type FPLD complicated by nephrotic syndrome which resolved following treatment with thePPARγagonist pioglitazone, CPAP, diet, and exercise.

High Molecular Weight (HMW): total adiponectin ratio is low in hiv-infected women receiving protease inhibitors

Background

At the time of the study, the HIV-treatment policy in South Africa included highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens 1 (nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) only), and 2 (protease inhibitors (PI) and NRTIs). HAART is associated with the lipodystrophy syndrome, insulin resistance and reduced total adiponectin (TA) levels. The high molecular weight (HMW):TA ratio is a superior marker of insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to establish whether HMW:TA ratios are low in patients on PIs and whether they correlate with insulin resistance.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study undertaken in an antiretroviral clinic at a tertiary hospital. The participants were 66 HIV-infected females: 22 were on regimen 2 (PI group), 22 on regimen 1 (non-PI) and 22 treatment naïve (TN), matched for BMI and age. Patients with a history of diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance were excluded. Serum adiponectin multimers were analysed using the AlpcoTM Adiponectin (Multimeric) enzyme immunoassay. Waist hip ratios (WHR), glucose and insulin levels were assessed, and HOMA-IR and QUICKI calculated. Data were analysed non-parametrically and multivariate analysis was performed.

Results

TA and HMW levels were lower in the treatment groups than in the TN group. HMW:TA was lower in the PI than in the non-PI and TN groups, and in the non-PI than in the TN groups. HMW:TA correlated negatively with waist, insulin and HOMA-IR, independently of BMI and duration of therapy. HOMA-IR and QUICKI did not differ among the groups.

Conclusion

HMW:TA is significantly decreased with HAART (particularly with PIs, but also with non-PIs) and may be a more sensitive marker of insulin resistance in these patients than conventional markers or HMW and total adiponectin individually.

Comparison of Serum Lipid Profile in HIV Positive Patients on ART with ART Naïve Patients

INTRODUCTION

The widespread use of effective highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV patients has coincided with increasing reports of complications like HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome and the metabolic alterations, affecting the lipid and glucose metabolism. Evidences in support of lipodystrophy and dyslipidaemia associated with First- line HAART in our area is scarce. The aim of the present study was 1) to study and compare Lipid profile in HIV positive patients on ART with that of freshly diagnosed HIV positive patients who were yet to be started on ART. 2) To assess lipodystrophy syndrome in patients on ART.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Hundred newly diagnosed HIV positive patients who were yet to be started on ART were taken as controls (ART-Naïve).Hundred randomly selected HIV+ patients who were already on First-line ART regimen (Stavudine/Zudovudine + Lamivudine + Nevirapine) for more than 12 months were taken as cases (ART). This study was conducted for a period of 12 months at the VIMS ART centre, Bellary, Karnataka, India.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase (p<0.001) in serum Total Cholesterol, LDL-C, TG, VLDL, Non-HDL -C & TC/HDL-C ratio in ART patients compared to ART-naïve patients. Of the 100 ART patients 23 had lipodystrophy syndrome (buffalo hump, abnormal fat deposition around neck & back, buccal fat resorption, increase in abdominal fat).

CONCLUSION

To conclude, it is evident from our study that there is increase in lipid profile (except HDL) in ART patients compared to ART Naïve group and 23 ART patients showed lipodystrophy syndrome. Hence it appears reasonable to measure fasting lipid levels before and 3-6 months after antiretroviral therapy is initiated or when ART regimen is changed.

Heart and HAART: Two sides of the coin for HIV-associated cardiology issues

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has generated a contrast in the cardiac manifestations of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In developed countries, we have observed an approximately 30% reduction in the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated cardiomyopathy, possibly related to a reduction of opportunistic infections and myocarditis. In developing countries, however, where the availablity of HAART is limited and the pathogenic impact of nutritional factors is significant, we have observed an approximately 32% increase in the prevalence of HIV-associated cardiomyopathy and a related high mortality rate from congestive heart failure. Also, some HAART regimens in developed countries, especially those including protease inhibitors, have been shown to cause, in a high proportion of HIV-infected patients, an iatrogenic metabolic syndrome (HIV-lipodystrophy syndrome) that is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events related to a process of accelerated atherosclerosis, even in young HIV-infected people. Careful cardiac screening is warranted for patients who are being evaluated for, or who are receiving, HAART regimens, particularly for those with known underlying cardiovascular risk factors. A close collaboration between cardiologists and infectious disease specialists is needed for decisions regarding the use of antiretrovirals, for a careful stratification of cardiovascular risk factors, and for cardiovascular monitoring of HIV-infected patients receiving HAART, according the most recent clinical guidelines.