Leptin for Abnormal Lipid Kinetics in HIV Lipodystrophy Syndrome

"HIV lipodystrophy syndrome" (HLS) is characterized by loss of fat in the arms and legs, with increase in fat in the abdomen, and abnormal blood lipid levels. Persons with HLS have high risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome. The investigators have previously shown that the abnormal lipid levels and lipodystrophy in HLS are associated with defective regulation of lipid metabolic rates, specifically, accelerated lipolysis (breakdown of stored fats), and decreased fat oxidation (utilization of fats for energy). Patients with HLS also have low levels of the hormone leptin. The investigators hypothesize that treatment of these patients with leptin will improve fat oxidation and may slow the rate of lipolysis. Hence, the investigators propose to study the effect of leptin therapy on lipid metabolic rates and lipid and glucose levels in adults with HLS. The investigators will use state of the art stable isotope tracer techniques and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) to measure lipolysis, fat oxidation, and fat re-esterification in adipose tissues and liver.

The HIV lipodystrophy syndrome (HLS) is characterized by peripheral fat wasting and central obesity, and hyperlipidemia (mainly hypertriglyceridemia), which results in insulin resistance. HLS patients are at high risk for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and the metabolic syndrome.

The investigators have previously shown that the alterations in lipid metabolism in the so-called mixed form of HLS are due to dysregulation of lipid kinetics at two levels. First, there appears to be an acceleration in lipid kinetics, with higher total and net lipolysis despite higher intra-adipocyte re-esterification. However, the percentage of fatty acid flux being oxidized remains the same, leading to increased hepatic recycling of fatty acids to triglycerides (TG), and export of TG-rich VLDL into the circulation. Second, there is reduced clearance of chylomicron and VLDL-TG from the plasma, resulting in the striking hypertriglyceridemia associated with this syndrome. The investigators propose that these alterations in lipid kinetics account for the phenotypic changes characteristic of this syndrome: increased lipolysis would facilitate peripheral lipoatrophy, increased intra-adipocyte re-esterification (if selective in intrabdominal depots) would contribute to the central obesity, and increased hepatic re-esterification together with impaired VLDL- and chylomicron-TG clearance would lead to hypertriglyceridemia.

Rational treatment of HLS should be targeted at these fundamental kinetic defects. Leptin is in many ways an ideal agent, since it increases fat oxidation, and shifts the ratio of utilization of free fatty acids derived from lipolysis towards oxidation and away from re-esterification, and decreases plasma triglyceride levels. HLS patients with lipoatrophy have low circulating levels of leptin. Moreover, leptin has been shown to be effective in correcting similar defects in fat redistribution and circulating lipids in non-HIV forms of lipodystrophy. Hence, the investigators propose to study (using a blinded, placebo-controlled, dose escalating design) the effect of leptin therapy on lipid kinetics and fat distribution in adult subjects with the lipoatrophic and mixed (peripheral lipoatrophy and central adiposity) forms of HLS. The investigators will use state of the art stable isotope tracer techniques and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) to measure whole body lipolysis, lipid oxidation, lipid re-esterification and hepatic lipid recycling.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* predominantly lipoatrophic or mixed phenotype of HIV-lipodystrophy (based on self-observation and evaluation by a study physician utilizing a visual scale;
* AM fasting leptin \< 4.0 ng/ml
* hypertriglyceridemia (fasting serum TG 250-1000 mg /dl).
* normal biochemistry (except altered lipid and glucose profile). Patients with the American Diabetes Association diagnostic criteria for diabetes were included provided the HbA1c level was \<7.5% and they received no anti-diabetic medications for at least 3 months.
* well-controlled HIV infection status evidenced by viral RNA titers \<400 copies/ml, on stable HAART.

Exclusion Criteria:

* acute or chronic illnesses.
* use of antidiabetic medications in the previous 3 months, or of lipid-lowering drugs in the previous 6 weeks are also exclusion criteria. Other drugs excluded are growth hormone (if used without evidence of growth hormone deficiency), Megace and testosterone (if used without evidence of hypogonadism).