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- Title
Low levels of short- and medium-chain acylcarnitines in HIV-infected patients.
- Authors
Waagsbø, Bjørn; Svardal, Asbjørn; Ueland, Thor; Landrø, Linn; Øktedalen, Olav; Berge, Rolf K.; Flo, Trude H.; Aukrust, Pål; Damås, Jan K.
- Abstract
Background Carnitine plays an essential role in fatty acid metabolism, exerts substantial antioxidant action and regulates immune functions. We hypothesized that a disturbed carnitine metabolism could be involved in progression of HIV infection. Materials and methods Plasma levels of L-carnitine, its precursors, and short-, medium- and long-chain acylcarnitines were analysed with HPLC/mass spectrometry in HIV-infected patients with various disease severities including patients who acquired Mycobacterium avium complex ( MAC) infection. In vitro, we examined the MAC-purified protein derivate ( PPD)-induced release of TNF-α and IFN-γ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells ( PBMCs) from patients with either high or low plasma levels of acylcarnitines. Results Plasma levels of the short-chain (e.g. propionyl-carnitine) and medium-chain (e.g. octanoyl-carnitine) acylcarnitines were reduced in patients with advanced HIV infection. These acylcarnitines gradually decreased in rapid progressors, while minimal changes were observed in the nonprogressors. Plasma levels of propionyl-carnitine and octanoyl-carnitine significantly increased during antiretroviral therapy ( ART). However, ART did not restore levels to those observed in healthy controls. Depletion of propionyl-carnitine and octanoyl-carnitine was observed prior to MAC infection, and the release of TNF-α and IFN-γ from PBMC was decreased after stimulation with MAC- PPD in samples from HIV-infected patients with low levels of propionyl-carnitine or octanoyl-carnitine. Conclusions Our findings suggest an association between disturbed acylcarnitine metabolism, immune dysregulation and disease progression in HIV-infected patients. Low levels of propionyl-carnitine and octanoyl-carnitine were associated with increased susceptibility to MAC infection in HIV patients with advanced disease.
- Subjects
CARNITINE; FATTY acids; MYCOBACTERIUM avium; HIV infections; ANTIRETROVIRAL agents
- Publication
European Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2016, Vol 46, Issue 5, p408
- ISSN
0014-2972
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/eci.12609