Relationships between Atherosclerosis and Plasma Antioxidant Micronutrients or Red Blood Cell Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in People Living with HIV

Abstract

Background: People living with human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLWH) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Diet-related factors may contribute. The aim of this pilot study was to determine, in PLWH, the relationship between atherosclerosis assessed by carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and (A) plasma antioxidant micronutrients and oxidative stress or (B) red blood cell polyunsaturated fatty acids (RBC PUFA), particularly long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). Methods: (A) In a cross-sectional study, subjects had CIMT evaluated by high resolution carotid artery ultrasound. Plasma was collected for vitamin C, measured by spectrophotometry; and alpha- and gamma-tocopherol, retinol, and malondialdehyde—a marker of oxidative stress—using high pressure liquid chromatography and fluorescence spectrophotometry. (B) In a prospective cohort study, other subjects had RBC PUFA measured at baseline, using gas chromatography, and CIMT assessed at baseline and repeated after 2 years. Clinical data was also collected. Results: (A) 91 PLWH participated. Only alpha- and gamma-tocopherol levels were positively correlated with CIMT. In a multivariate analysis, age and systolic blood pressure were significantly associated with CIMT with gamma-tocopherol near significance (p = 0.053). (B) 69 PLWH participated. At baseline, docosahexaenoic acid (n-3 PUFA) and the ratio of docosahexaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (n-6 PUFA) were significantly and negatively correlated with CIMT. However, a multivariate analysis failed to detect a significant relationship either at baseline or 2 years after. Conclusion: In addition to age and systolic blood pressure, atherosclerosis assessed by CIMT might be associated with higher serum gamma-tocopherol levels. There was a non-significant association between CIMT and RBC n-3 PUFA or the ratio of n-3 to n-6 PUFA.

Multiple Effects of Ascorbic Acid against Chronic Diseases: Updated Evidence from Preclinical and Clinical Studies

“…Moreover, HIV seems to directly affect the antioxidant defense system [142], and HIV-related oxidative stress is a concurrent cause of HIV-associated malignancies, metabolic disorders, and premature aging [142][143][144][145][146][147][148][149][150][151][152][153][154][155][156][157][158][159][160][161]. Since HIV patients have reduced levels of ASC and other micronutrients than healthy subjects , it has been suggested that ASC supplementation could help to reduce oxidative stress and slow down chronic inflammation in HIV-positive individuals [163]. However, high-dose ASC is capable of inducing some hepatic cytochromes, such as CYP3A, which can interact with antiretroviral drugs [141,164].…”

Prevalence and risk of subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in the global population with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Fourteen studies were conducted from Europe, 20,22–26,30,31,34,35,39,41–43 followed by America (4 studies), 10,27,28,38 Asia (4 studies), 11,21,29,32 and Africa (4 studies). 33,36,37,40 There are four studies using CIMT ≥ 0.78 mm criteria, 32,36,37,40 eight studies with CIMT ≥ 0.80 mm, 10,22,27,28,30,31,34,35 10 studies with CIMT ≥ 0.90 mm, 11,21,23–26,38,41,43 and four studies with CIMT ≥ 75th. 20,29,33,39…”

Dosage of Dual-Protein Nutrition Differentially Impacts the Formation of Atherosclerosis in ApoE−/− Mice

“…The pathogenesis of AS is not fully known, and atherogenesis involves a variety of risk factors including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and drinking [2]. Previous studies have reported that inflammatory response and the disorder of lipid metabolism are closely related to atherosclerosis [3], while poor dietary choices such as Western diet can also contribute to an increased risk of CVD, specifically AS [4]. Currently, treatment options for AS can be divided into interventional and noninterventional methods [5].…”