HIV Fat Redistribution and the Evaluation of Brown Fat

The specific aims of this study are to determine whether HIV-infected patients with significant fat redistribution and ectopic fat accumulation have increased brown adipose tissue using 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography techniques. Recent studies suggest down regulation of Dicer, a major component of miRNA has an important role in the differentiation and function of brown and white adipose tissue and may contribute to lipodystrophy. Therefore we will expand on recent research in this area by recruiting HIV-infected men with lipodystrophy. We will perform subcutaneous fat biopsies of the dorsocervical and abdominal fat in a subset of HIV-infected and non-HIV-infected men in order to explore further the question of down regulation of Dicer and its implication on metabolic abnormalities in this population.