Altered Fat Differentiation and Adipocytokine Expression are Inter-Related and Linked to Morphological Changes and Insulin Resistance in HIV-1-Infected Lipodystrophic Patients

Abstract

Adipose tissue from patients with HIV-1-related lipoatrophy shows increased apoptosis, together with decreased adipocyte differentiation. Increased TNFalpha and IL-6 expression could be a major phenomenon linking these alterations. Decreased adiponectin and leptin expression, which may result from decreased adipocyte differentiation, could be involved in the observed whole body insulin resistance.