Thiazolidinediones could improve endothelial dysfunction and risk of premature coronary heart disease in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

The use of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) protease inhibitors as part of the Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) is associated with atherogenic dyslipoproteinemia, insulin resistance, hypertension and endothelial dysfunction, all of which contribute to premature coronary heart disease. These abnormalities appear to be associated with an increase in cardiovascular events in HIV-infected patients. Beneficial metabolic effects of anti-diabetic agents used in HIV-infected patients have been reported. The thiazolidinediones (TZDs), a new group of antidiabetic drugs, may modulate the proliferative and inflammatory cascades involved in atherosclerosis. Thus, an increasing totality of evidence suggests that TZDs may represent a unique and powerful research tool to find a common denominator underlying the pathophysiology and treatment of the metabolic cardiovascular risk factors associated with HIV infection.