Effects of Mixed Exercise Regime and L-Carnitine Supplementation in HIV Patients on HAART

HIV patients treated with Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART) show significant metabolic symptoms, such as lipodystrophy, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. A possible contribution to these symptoms in HIV/HAART is a decrease in mitochondrial function, resulting in a decreased fatty acid oxidation. A combined regime of aerobic and resistance training has been demonstrated to increase lean body mass and reduce overall fat and truncal fat and the levels of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol.

The introduction of Highly Active AntiRetroviral Therapy (HAART) for AIDS and HIV has improved survival considerably. However, HIV patients treated with HAART show significant metabolic symptoms, such as lipodystrophy, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance. A possible contribution to these dysmetabolic symptoms in HIV/HAART is a decrease in mitochondrial function, resulting in a decreased fatty acid oxidation. Life style modulation such as aerobic exercise and L-carnitine supplementation may be beneficial to mitochondrial function. Aerobic exercise improves the biogenesis and function of mitochondria. A combined regime of aerobic and resistance training has been demonstrated to increase lean body mass and reduce overall fat and truncal fat and the levels of triglyceride and LDL cholesterol. L-Carnitine plays an important role in the transfer of long-chain acyl groups into the mitochondrial matrix and potentially improves energy metabolism. Further, L-carnitine supplementation decreases serum triglyceride levels in HIV/HAART patients with hypertriglyceridemia. However, little is known whether these life style modulations act synergistically in HIV/HAART patients.

We hypothesize that a mixed regimen of exercise (including both resistance and aerobic exercise) and L-carnitine supplementation will improve mitochondrial dysfunction in HIV/HAART patients, and therefore, alleviate dysmetabolic symptoms such as dyslipidemia and insulin resistance. In this randomized, placebo-controlled study, we will explore whether a mixed regimen of exercise, including both resistance and aerobic exercise, and L-carnitine supplementation affect lipids and remnant lipoproteins, adipokines, insulin resistance; blood lactate levels and VO2max; and kinetics of leucine and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins among African-American and Hispanic HIV-positive subjects undergoing HAART. Effects on muscle mitochondrial function will be assessed using exercise tests and body composition assessment (DEXA and Bioimpedance), while effects on hepatic mitochondrial function will be assessed measuring the relation between leucine and VLDL-apoB metabolism. We believe that the proposed study will help to elucidate underlying mechanisms for metabolic complications and will offer new possibilities for intervention to reduce negative metabolic effects in HIV/HAART patients.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* African American, Hispanic and Caucasian adults with HIV on a stable HAART regimen (either PI or NNRTI based) for at least the past 6 months between 18 to 70 years of age.
* Patients taking SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), SNRI's (Serotonin/Norepinephrine Reuptake inhibitors) and Tetracyclic antidepressants will be included as the risk of seizure in these patients in combination with the L-Carnitine supplement would be rare. Patients on these medications should be on a stable dose for at least 4-6 months prior to enrollment in the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Diabetes Mellitus
* Cushing's syndrome
* Renal disease (i.e. CKD Stages 3-5)
* Unstable liver disease
* Untreated thyroid dysfunction
* Seizure disorder
* Patients with conditions that can lower seizure threshold (i.e. brain tumors) or are taking medication(s) known to lower seizure threshold
* Pregnant or nursing mothers
* BMI \> 35
* Ongoing hormone replacement therapy
* Hemoglobin levels less than 11 g/dl, and fasting triglyceride levels \> 500 mg/dl.
* Subjects with ongoing hypolipidemic and warfarin therapy will be excluded. Additionally, patients taking Valproic Acid and / or Zidovudine will be excluded as these have been shown to deplete carnitine.
* Patients taking Venlafaxine and Bupropion will be excluded as these medications have a small risk (0.26% and 0.1-0.4% risk, respectively) of causing seizure in patients without a previous risk of seizure.