Magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to assess intramyocardial triglyceride levels, measured at the interventricular septum, a region where there’s little overlying pericardial fat.
“We found that the women living with HIV have an increased intramyocardial triglyceride content compared to women without HIV. And notably, we sought to see if there was any relationship between circulating triglyceride levels or body mass index, and there actually was no relationship between intramyocardial triglyceride content and these factors,” said Dr. Toribio in a video interview.
Next steps include two studies, said Dr. Toribio. The first is investigating whether statin therapy improves myocardial steatosis and heart function over time in women living with HIV. The second, involving the same population, is a pilot study to see if growth hormone releasing hormone – which is known to lessen visceral adiposity in people living with HIV – can reduce intramyocardial steatosis and boost cardiac function, she said.
Dr. Toribio reported no financial disclosures. The study was supported by funding from the National Institutes of Health.
SOURCE: Toribio M et al. ENDO 2018, Abstract OR11-2.