Atazanavir and Endothelial Function in Older HIV Patients

HIV Clinical Trial

Official title: Atazanavir and Endothelial Function in Older HIV Patients

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The investigators hypothesize that older subjects with HIV randomly assigned to atazanavir will have increased bilirubin levels, reduced oxidative stress, and improved flow-mediated, endothelium-dependent vasodilation compared to subjects not switched to atazanavir.

Clinical Trial Description

The mortality induced by HIV has dropped significantly due to effective antiretroviral therapy. Epidemiological data suggest a less than 5% 10-year mortality for patients treated with HAART. As a result of the reduction in early AIDS-related deaths, HIV has become a chronic disease manifesting the common components of chronic disease such as inflammation, vascular dysfunction, and oxidative stress. The combination of these trends put HIV patients at increased risk of myocardial infarction compared with age-matched subjects over the long term. Several studies suggest that some protease inhibitors might increase the risk of myocardial infarction. The leading theory behind this association derives from the relationship between protease inhibitor use and the onset of an atherogenic dysmetabolism including the development of insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and oxidative stress.

In contrast to the older protease inhibitors, atazanavir induces neither insulin resistance nor dyslipidemia. In addition, atazanavir has a property unique among protease inhibitors: elevation of unconjugated bilirubin by inhibiting the enzyme uridine diphosphate glucuronyltransferase (UGT) 1A1. Bilirubin is a potent intracellular antioxidant. The investigators have demonstrated that higher levels of bilirubin within the normal range are associated with reduced rates of stroke and peripheral artery disease. Patients with Gilbert's Syndrome (chronic elevations of bilirubin as a result of genetically reduced UGT 1A1) have a lower rate of myocardial infarction compared with age-matched controls. It is plausible that use of atazanavir compared with other protease inhibitors, by reducing oxidative stress, may improve vascular function and, ultimately, reduce the rate of cardiovascular complications with chronic therapy.

The benefit of atazanavir may be particularly important now with the aging of the HIV population. Aging is associated with higher levels of oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction, both of which are associated with heightened rates of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, the investigators hypothesize that the use of atazanavir in stable HIV patients age 45 years or older will improve endothelial dysfunction and reduce oxidative stress compared with continuing the current therapy. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Basic Science

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• HIV

• NCT number: NCT03019783
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: Brigham and Women's Hospital
• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 2/Phase 3
• Start date: December 2011
• Completion date: June 2016