Oxidized LDL for the Early Detection of Atherosclerosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy

Background: Currently, HIV patients have established higher rates of cardiovascular disease compared to matched cohorts of non-HIV infected persons. Morbidity and mortality clinical trials are unlikely ever to be conducted providing which anti-HIV medications place persons at higher risks for cardiovascular risk factors. Oxidized forms of low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) can provide an earlier method of detecting the formation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). In antiretroviral therapy (ART) treated human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients, ASCVD risk quantified by oxLDL levels may reveal variation in ASCVD progression between the different ART regimens. Input is being sought through this submission on project design and conduct. Methods: We hypothesize that a cohort study methodology is the optimal design. In this proposed study, blood samples from HIV patients, matched for age, gender and past medical history, on varying similar/identical initial ART regimens for different periods of time will be attained. These samples will then be analyzed for their oxLDL levels. oxLDL levels will be compared and evaluated for trends related to characteristics such as ART, duration of HIV infection, duration of ART, gender, body weight (BMI), and lab values. Conclusions: The goal of this study is to measure the degree of ASCVD progression in patients on one ART regimen relative to patients on other regimens. Any discovered differences can then lead to further studies on the factors of causality as well as prospective clinical trials.