BACKGROUND:

HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy are associated with dyslipidemia, but the association between regional adipose tissue depots and lipid levels is not defined.

METHODS:

The association of magnetic resonance imaging-measured visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and regional subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) volume with fasting lipid parameters was analyzed by multivariable linear regression in 737 HIV-infected and 145 control men from the study of Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV Infection.

RESULTS:

HIV-infected men had higher median triglycerides (170 mg/dL vs. 107 mg/dL; P < 0.0001), lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; 38 mg/dL vs. 46 mg/dL; P < 0.0001), and lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; 105 mg/dL vs. 125 mg/dL; P < 0.0001) than controls. After adjustment, greater VAT was associated with higher triglycerides and lower HDL-C in HIV-infected and control men, whereas greater leg SAT was associated with lower triglycerides in HIV-infected men with a similar trend in controls. More upper trunk SAT was associated with higher LDL-C and lower HDL-C in controls, whereas more lower trunk SAT was associated with higher triglycerides in controls. After adjustment, HIV infection remained strongly associated (P < 0.0001) with higher triglycerides (+76%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 53 to 103), lower LDL-C (-19%, 95% CI: -25 to -12), and lower HDL-C (-18%, 95% CI: -22 to -12).

CONCLUSIONS:

HIV-infected men are more likely than controls to have higher triglycerides and lower HDL-C, which promote atherosclerosis, but also lower LDL-C. Less leg SAT and more VAT are important factors associated with high triglycerides and low HDL-C in HIV-infected men. The reduced leg SAT in HIV-infected men with lipoatrophy places them at increased risk for proatherogenic dyslipidemia.