The Effects of Anabolic Steroids and Protease Inhibitors on People Living With HIV/AIDS

January 12, 2016 updated by: Dr. Wendy Wobeser, Queen's University

The Effects of Anabolic Steroids and Protease Inhibitors on Serum Blood Lipids,Muscle Mass, and Total Body Fat in People Living With HIV/AIDS

The main aim of the study is to investigate the combined effects of using anabolic steroids and protease inhibitors on fat metabolism and body composition of People Living with HIV/AIDS.

We are seeking to answer the following questions:

1) Are there any significant differences in serum blood lipids, lipodystrophy, in persons with HIV taking antiretroviral therapies and anabolic steroids versus antiretroviral therapies alone?

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Changes in body composition and wasting have been a constant concern for people living with HIV/AIDS. Testosterone and its derivatives, anabolic steroids (AS) are being used by persons with HIV/AIDS (PHA's) to treat AIDs related wasting syndrome and also for bodybuilding purposes. some studies have shown that AS had a positive impact on the weight and well-being of HIV seropositive individuals.

It has been shown that protease inhibitors (PI's) in combination with other antiretroviral HIV therapies are associated with a symmetrical loss of subcutaneous fat from the body surface (lipodystrophy)in some PHAs.

The mechanism for lipodystrophy is not well understood. However, it is associated with hyperlipidemia that contributes to central fat deposition, insulin resistance, and in some, type 2 diabetes. As well, increased visceral abdominal fat and loss of fat inthe arms, legs and face, and increased levels of serum lipids have been reported.The health effects of anabolic steroid therapy coupled with PIs has not been examined before.

This study is an observational study investigating the phenomenon of lipodystrophy in an HIV population already exposed to AS and PIs. A prospective observational design will be employed, with two groups recruited. One group will be taking AS and PI's, the other will be taking PIs only.

The groups will be asked to completed Quality of Life nutrition and physical activity questionnaires. Serum blood lipid characteristics will be compared, and body composition will be determined using MRIs, BIA's and skinfold measurements.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment

30

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Ontario
      • Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6
        • Queen's University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • documented HIV seropositive status
  • 18 years of age or older
  • combination antiretroviral therapies for at least three months or more
  • able to comply with study procedures and protocol
  • signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • acute opportunistic infections at baseline
  • use of serum lipid lowering drugs
  • use of serum sugar controlling drugs
  • evidence of drug or alcohol use which may interfere with study participation
  • a recent illness with associate weight loss of greater than or equal to 10lbs

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
differences in serum lipid levels
differences in regional and overall body fat level
impacts on metabolic and cardiovascular health

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
quantity of muscle tissue between group comparison
comparison of 3 determinants of body composition(MRI,skinfold,BIA)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Wendy Wobeser, MD, Queen's University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start

September 1, 1999

Study Completion

June 1, 2001

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

September 13, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 13, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

September 20, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 13, 2016

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 12, 2016

Last Verified

January 1, 2016

More Information

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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