Antiretroviral therapy can ’t completely stop accelerated cell aging seen in HIV

FINDINGSUntreated HIV infection is linked with epigenetic changes that suggest rapid aging.A new study by UCLA researchers showsthat antiretroviral  therapy given over two years was unable to completely restore age-appropriate epigenetic patterns, leaving patients more susceptible to aging-related illnesses. BACKGROUNDThis is the first longitudinal study conducted to investigate the  contribution of HIV-infection, versus treatment, on the acceleration of aging epigenetics — external factors that affectthe function of genes— in this population of adults.METHODThe researchers extracted DNA from 15 HIV-infected people at three points in time: 6 to 12 months prior to the initiation ofantiretroviral therapy, 6 to 12 months after the beginning oftherapyand, again, 18 to 24 months after being put onthe therapy. They then compared those samples with DNA from 15 age-matched, non –HIV-infected individuals.The researchers note some limitations to the study, including the small sample size, their inability to adjust for other factors that might have influenced the results, andthe factthat a larger study may be needed to detect more subtle epigenetic changes caused byantiretroviral therapy.IMPACTThe results suggest that altered epigenetics may help explain why even successfully  treated HIV-infected adults are at an increased risk for the early development of many diseases more commonly associated with aging.  AUTHORSDr. Mary Sehl, Tammy Rickabaugh, Roger Shih, Otoniel Martin...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news