Abstract
Chronic HIV infection has long been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. The metabolites of the renin−angiotensin system (RAS) such as angiotensin II (AngII) play an important role in regulating blood pressure and fluid dynamics. Cross-sectional analysis of HIV-positive individuals (n = 71, age > 40 years, stable ART > 3 months with HIV viral load < 50 copies/mL) were compared to a similar HIV seronegative group (n = 72). High-resolution B-mode ultrasound images of the right carotid bifurcation (RBIF) and right common carotid artery (RCCA) were conducted to measure the extent of carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease. Plasma RAS peptide levels were quantified using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics assay. RAS peptide concentrations were compared between persons with HIV and persons without HIV, correlating their association with clinical and cardiac measures. Median precursor peptides (Ang(1-12) and AngI) were significantly higher in the HIV-positive group compared to the HIV-negative. Analyses of the patient subgroup not on antihypertensive medication revealed circulating levels of AngII to be four-fold higher in the HIV-positive subgroup. AngII and TNF-alpha levels were found to have a positive association with RCCA, and AngI/Ang(1-12) ratio and TNF-alpha levels were found to have a positive association with RBIF. In both predictive models, AngIII had a negative association with either RCCA or RBIF, which may be attributed to its ability to bind onto AT2R and thus oppose pro-inflammatory events. These results reveal systemic alterations in RAS as a result of chronic HIV infection, which may lead to the activation of inflammatory pathways associated with carotid thickening. RAS peptide levels and cytokine markers were associated with RCCA and RBIF measurements.