The Effect of Polymorphisms in Candidate Genes on the Long-Term Risk of Lipodystrophy and Dyslipidemia in HIV-Infected White Patients Starting Antiretroviral Therapy

We investigated whether polymorphisms in human candidate genes could be associated with a different risk of developing lipodystrophy and dyslipidemia in HIV-infected patients starting combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Genomic DNA samples from white HIV-1-infected patients were analyzed for seven polymorphisms located in the MDR1, TNF-alpha, APM1, APOE, and LPL genes. Lipid data were retrospectively collected beginning with the initiation of cART. Lipodystrophy was assessed cross-sectionally and then prospectively. The association with lipodystrophy and National Cholesterol Evaluation Program Adult Treatment Panel III-defined lipid thresholds was analyzed using survival analysis and logistic regression. One-hundred and seventy-four patients were genotyped. In 151 patients assessed for lipodystrophy, MDR1 3435 T homozygosis was associated with a higher hazard (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR, versus CT 0.25; p = 0.02) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha 308 G homozygosis with a lower hazard (vs. AA aHR 2.14; p = 0.04) of developing trunk fat accumulation after adjusting for gender and initial cART type. The TNF 238 GG genotype was associated with a higher risk of developing low HDL-cholesterol levels (adjusted odd ratio, aOR, 5.91; p = 0.01) while patients carrying the LPL S477X mutation were at lower risk of reaching high non-HDL-cholesterol levels (aOR 0.39; p = 0.05). The APOEe3/3 genotype patients were at lower risk (aOR 0.26, p = 0.015), whereas the adiponectin 276 GT carriers were at higher risk of developing hypertriglyceremia (vs. GG aOR 3.10; p = 0.04). Knowledge of the effect of genetic determinants on dyslipidemia and lipodystrophy may prompt the investigation of potential pathogenetic mechanisms and might eventually be used for guiding individualized treatment decisions.