Omega-3 fatty acids decrease cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality possibly due to antiinflammatory effect. Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction likely play a role in the heightened CVD risk in HIV. Our goal was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 fatty acids primarily on endothelial function and inflammation in HIV-infected adults with moderate CVD risk on stable antiretroviral therapy. We conducted a 24-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of omega-3-acid ethyl esters 1 g twice a day. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery, lipoproteins and markers of inflammation, endothelial activation, coagulation, and insulin resistance were measured at entry and week 24. There were no within- or between-group differences in change in FMD over 24 weeks (mean change in FMD -0.13% vs. 1.5% for treatment vs. placebo; p=0.21). There were no between-group differences in changes in lipoprotein levels or biomarkers tested, except soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-I, which favored omega-3-acid ethyl esters. Omega-3 fatty acids did not improve endothelial function or activation, coagulation, or insulin resistance in virologically suppressed, HIV-infected men with moderate CVD risk; however, inflammation tended to improve. This suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may not be potent enough to counteract the enhanced inflammation and endothelial dysfunction due to HIV and antiretrovirals.

We show for the first time an independent association between D-Dimer and endothelial dysfunction in virologically suppressed, HIV-infected adults on stable antiretroviral therapy, potentially explaining the link between D-Dimer and mortality in HIV.

Objective Enhanced inflammation is evident in HIV, even with virologic suppression. Outside HIV, studies show an independent association between higher total bilirubin and better endothelial function as well as lower prevalence of coronary heart disease possibly due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect of bilirubin. Methods A cross-sectional study was performed in HIV-1 infected adults on stable antiretroviral therapy (ART) to determine if a relationship exists between total bilirubin and endothelial function (flow mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery), inflammation (interleukin-6 (IL-6), soluble tumor necrosis factor receptors, C-reactive protein, adhesion molecules), coagulation markers (fibrinogen and D-Dimer) and oxidative stress (F2-Isoprostanes). Endpoints were compared based on total bilirubin levels and atazanavir status using distributionally-appropriate, two-sample tests. Correlation coefficients were determined between total bilirubin and end points. Linear regression was used to model the relationship between total bilirubin (and atazanavir status) and FMD. Results 98 adults were included. Total bilirubin was higher in atazanavir group (median (IQR) 1.8 (1.1–2.6) vs. 0.6 (0.4–1.4) mg/dL; p<0.01) as was insulin, HOMA-IR and fibrinogen. Total bilirubin was positively correlated with fibrinogen and was not correlated with other outcomes. After adjustment, neither total bilirubin nor atazanavir status was associated with FMD. Conclusions In virologically-suppressed, HIV-infected adults on stable ART, neither total bilirubin nor atazanavir use was associated with improved endothelial function as measured by FMD, inflammation or oxidative stress as measured by biomarkers.

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