Vancouver, BC [April 30, 2015] A BC-CFE study, published in PLOS-ONE, finds the aging process at the cellular level is accelerated in people living with HIV, but this tendency may be decreased with treatment on antiretroviral therapy. The accelerated aging process among those with HIV is associated with age-related illnesses, including more severe cases of emphysema or COPD.
“People with HIV are living longer, healthier lives and this study shows sustained antiretroviral treatment could possibly revert their rate of aging, helping to avert ailments common to aging such as COPD,” said Janice Leung, author of the study and respirologist at St. Paul’s Hospital.”This is another encouraging sign that full access to HIV treatment and care allows people with HIV to experience health outcomes very similar to those who are not HIV positive. Further studies on the impact of antiretroviral therapy on age-related illnesses would be a welcome addition to this field.”
Researchers used as indicators in the study telomere length, the ends of DNA that shorten as cells divide and age. Results showed patients receiving antiretroviral therapy with adequate viral suppression and CD4 cell count normalization had stabilized rates of telomere shortening, similar to non-HIV-infected patients.
“These research findings add to the wealth of data indicating the positive impact of early and sustained treatment for HIV and AIDS with antiretroviral therapy,” said Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC-CfE.”We must continue to provide those living with HIV immediate access to the most effective treatments, while addressing the additional considerations of an aging population. Treatment as Prevention¨ – providing facilitated and immediate access to antiretroviral treatment – provides an important roadmap on this path which can eventually lead to the end of HIV and AIDS.”
The PLOS-ONE study findings are in keeping with previous studies demonstrating telomere shortening in HIV, as compared with the general population. However, the study also found that some of the telomere shortening might have occurred prior to study enrolment during periods of severe immunosuppression or acute HIV infection (possibly prior to start of antiretroviral therapy). A history of smoking and the presence of HIV remained significant predictors of shorter absolute telomere length in the final study model.
Participants in the study were derived from a cohort of HIV-infected patients at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The cohort was assembled as part of a prospective observational study of HIV-associated lung disease with enrolment taking place between August 2009 and June 2013. Not all participants in the study had COPD.