Abstract:
Background & Aims: This study investigated the interactions between a low protein
high calorie (LPHC) diet and an integrase inhibitor- containing antiretroviral drug
regimen in light of evidence suggesting that the initiation of cART in patients with poor
nutritional status is a predictor of mortality independent of immune status.
Methods and Results: Freshly weaned Sprague Dawley rats (120) were randomized into
the normal LPHC or normal protein high calorie (NPHC) diet groups(n=40/group)
initially for 15 weeks, after which the experimental animals in each diet group were
further randomized into four treatment sub-groups (n =10/group): Control (normal
saline), Test group 1: (TDF+3TC+DTG and Tesamorelin), Test group 2:
(TDF+3TC+DTG), and Positive control: (AZT+3TC +ATV/r) with treatment and diets
combined for 9 weeks. Body weights (weekly), glycemic control (fasting blood glucose
and oral glucose tolerance tests), lipid profiles, liver weights, hepatic triglycerides and
adiposity were assessed.
Conclusions: The obesogenic activities of the LPHC diet exceeded that of the NPHC
diet and interacted with both integrase-containing and classical cART drug regimens to
reproduce cART associated metabolic dysregulation. The effects were however reversed
by co-administration with tesamorelin, a synthetic growth hormone releasing hormone
analogue.
