Lipoprotein alterations in patients with HIV infection:: relation with cellular and humoral immune markers

In order to determine lipid abnormalities in serum in HIV-infected patients and their relation with humoral and cellular immunological changes. Ninety HIV-infected patients without acute inflammatory or malignant disease have been studied. Thirty healthy HIV-negative subjects constituted the control group. As compared with controls, patients with CD4 + lymphocytes > 400 x 10(6)/l had higher triglycerides and lower high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol and apolipoprotein (apo)-Al. Lipoprotein comparison by groups of patients according to CD4 + cell counts showed a decrease of HDL-cholesterol in patients with CD4 + cells less than or equal to 200 X 10(6)/l.'Nhen CD4 + lymphocyte counts were < 50 X 10(6)/l, total and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL)triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol were increased and HDL and low density lipoprotein (LDL)cholesterol and ape-Al were decreased. Interferon (IFN)-alpha, beta 2-microglobulin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha were correlated positively with total and VLDL-triglycerides and negatively with HDL-cholesterol. Tn conclusion, lipoprotein changes in patients with HIV-infection are related with humoral and cellular immune markers. A decrease of HDL-cholesterol and ape-Al and an increase of triglyceride levels could be considered as markers of disease progression. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.