Vitamin D and arterial elasticity in patients with HIV/AIDS

• Grant number: 13/21281-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: June 01, 2014
• End date: May 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Nutrition - Nutritional Analysis of Population
• Principal Investigator: Liania Alves Luzia
• Grantee: Liania Alves Luzia
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Patricia Helen de Carvalho Rondó

Abstract

The higher survival of individuals with HIV/AIDS, due to the use of antiretroviral (ART), is associated with metabolic changes that contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and nutritional deficiencies. However, the mechanisms that lead to the increased cardiovascular risk among individuals with HIV/AIDS are still not fully understood, but they are probably related to the disease itself, the use of ART, or both. An indicator of risk for CVD is the loss of elasticity of the arterial wall, which may likely suffer interference from some micronutrients, such as vitamin D. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between vitamin D concentrations and arterial elasticity as possible risk factors for CVDs in individuals with HIV/AIDS. Methods: Cross-sectional study, to be conducted from the baseline of a crossover, randomized and blinded clinical trial, entitled "Effects of ihe ingestion of mate tea and chocolate in the endothelium of individuals with HIV / AIDS: a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial" (FAPESP: 2009/52250-5). Approximately 190 individuals of 19-59 years old of both sexes, with HIV/AIDS, in regular treatment with ART for at least six months and with undetectable viral load (<50 copies/mm3) shall be included and will undergo detailed anamnesis and physical examination. All drugs used in the scheme of current ART of each individual will be investigated and exposures to tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs will be listed. Physical inactivity is going to be stated by a standardized simplified validated questionnaire of physical activity. Biochemical determinations will be performed in order to characterize the nutritional (lipid), inflammatory and immune profiles of the individuals. Arterial elasticity will be assessed by the noninvasive, validated and approved equipment HDI/PulseWave CR-2000 CardioVascular Profiling System. Vitamin D (25-hydroxy-cholecalciferol) will be determined by the high pressure liquid chromatography method. To evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and arterial elasticity univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis will be used through the "backward stepwise selection" method, controlling for confounding variables and considering a p value <0.05. (AU)