This cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 1,143 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected participants and 286 controls from the Fat Redistribution and Metabolic Change in HIV infection (FRAM) study. This study was originally designed to evaluate the prevalence and correlates of changes in fat distribution, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia in HIV-positive participants in the United States. In light of the significant changes in body fat distribution observed in HIV-infected patients exposed to antiretroviral therapy, Kosmiski et al. measured two major plasma adipokine concentrations, leptin and adiponectin, and explored their relationship to direct measures of total and regional adiposity measured by magnetic resonance. Study results indicated that leptin levels were primarily determined by total adiposity in HIV-infected patients, which was similar to controls, and that this relationship was unaffected by HIV lipodystrophy. Furthermore, the expected inverse association of adiponectin and intra-abdominal (visceral) adipose tissue was maintained in HIV-infected patients, while the usual relationships between adiponectin levels and total and leg adiposity were lost in these patients. The authors explained that this finding could possibly be due to changes in adipocyte function associated with HIV lipodystrophy.
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