Metabolic Effects of Rosiglitazone in HIV Lipodystrophy: a Randomized, Controlled Trial

Background: Patients with HIV infection who are treated with antiretroviral agents often lose subcutaneous fat and have metabolic abnormalities, including insulin resistance and reduced adiponectin levels, which may be related to disrupted subcutaneous adipogenesis and altered peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma signaling.

Objective: To investigate the effects of rosiglitazone (4 mg/d), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist, in HIV-infected men and women with hyperinsulinemia and lipoatrophy.

Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-month study.

Setting: University hospital.

Patients: 28 HIV-infected men and women with hyperinsulinemia and lipoatrophy.

Measurements: Insulin sensitivity measured by euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp testing; subcutaneous leg fat area measured by computed tomography; adiponectin, free fatty acid, and lipid levels; and safety variables.

Results: Rosiglitazone, when compared with placebo, improved insulin sensitivity (mean [+/-SD] change, 1.5 +/- 2.1 mg of glucose/kg of lean body mass per minute vs. -0.4 +/- 1.6 mg/kg per minute; P = 0.02), increased adiponectin levels (mean [+/-SD], 2.2 +/- 2.2 micro g/mL vs. 0.1 +/- 1.1 microg/mL; P = 0.006), and reduced free fatty acid levels (mean [+/-SD], -0.09 +/- 0.1 mmol/L vs. 0.01 +/- 0.1 mmol/L; P = 0.02). Mean percentage (+/-SD) of body fat (1.38% +/- 3.03% vs. -0.83% +/- 2.76%; P = 0.03) and subcutaneous leg fat area (2.3 +/- 8.4 cm2 vs. -0.9 +/- 1.9 cm2; P = 0.02) increased significantly with rosiglitazone compared with placebo. Mean total cholesterol levels (+/-SD) also increased with rosiglitazone compared with placebo (0.6 +/- 1.0 mmol/L [25 +/- 37 mg/dL] vs. -0.4 +/- 0.6 mmol/L [-15 +/- 25 mg/dL]; P = 0.007).

Limitations: The study was relatively small and of short duration.

Conclusions: The authors demonstrated positive effects of rosiglitazone on lipoatrophy; insulin sensitivity; and metabolic indices, including adiponectin levels, in HIV-infected patients with lipoatrophy and insulin resistance. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists may correct the metabolic abnormalities associated with disrupted adipogenesis in this population. Further studies must determine the clinical utility of such agents in HIV-infected patients.