Omega-3 Supplementation in HIV Patients With Therapeutic Lifestyle Change Diet.

The infection by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), is a chronic condition transmissible and progressive type of viral cause, in which a link is very different between host and virus, which ultimately influences the appearance of opportunistic morbid processes or rare tumors, or both1.

With a prevalence of 3 cases for every 1000 people from 15 to 49 years, Mexico ranks 16th place in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in adults in Latin America2.

The state of Jalisco, México, occupies the fourth place in terms of positive cases of HIV-AIDS, in this same plane, the municipalities of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tlaquepaque and Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco, represent the main populations with the highest number of positive cases by HIV-AIDS.

The HIV positive individuals with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) or without treatment are facing numerous challenges in terms of management of their health; some of the most disturbing changes are visible in the shape and appearance of the body. In most cases this anatomical changes come accompanied by alterations in biochemical indicators: lipid levels (cholesterol and triglycerides) and insulin resistance4.These adverse effects may have important clinical implications, such as severe lactic acidosis, coronary artery disease and acute pancreatitis5.

In patients with HIV and HAART has published an incidence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia between 5 and 90% depending on the series, although the true incidence is yet to be determined6. Pharmacological interventions with statins or fibrates in patients infected with HIV are limited partially due to the drug interactions and increase in the frequency of adverse effects7.

Therefore, it is necessary to investigate new alternatives for the management of dyslipidemia in patients infected with HIV with HAART through changes in diet and supplements of fish oil omega 3 fatty acids.

Methods Patients: The investigators enrolled 100 Patients positive to Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, and had been receiving ≥2 Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, and with diagnostic of dislipidemia according the Mexican Official Standard Norms of 2002, for the prevention, treatment and control of dyslipidemias8.

All the patients were active in the SMART database from HIV/AIDS department of the Civil Hospital in Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde". Patients were excluded for intolerance or allergy to fish, patients that use or have used in the last 6 weeks supplements or drugs that modify lipids.

Study design During the period from January 2010 to July 2011, was carried out the study with the authorization of the ethics committee of the Civil Hospital in Guadalajara "Fray Antonio Alcalde".

Our subjects were assigned to 5 intervention groups: Groups one= 20 subjects received Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet more 1.05 grams of Fatty Acid omega 3. Groups two= 20 subjects received conventional diet more 1.05 grams of Fatty Acid omega three. Groups 3=20 subjects received Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes diet more 2.10 grams of Fatty Acid omega 3. Groups four=20 subjects received conventional diet more 2.10 grams of Fatty Acid omega 3. Groups five= 20 subjects, control group received conventional diet.

The subject assigned to group one and three with TLC diet, received advice from the nutritionist in week 4 and 12 to encourage the consumption of the capsules of omega 3 fatty acids, in addition offered general recommendations to consume dietary fiber and fluids.

The subject assigned to groups two and four with conventional diet, received advice from the nutritionist in the week 4 and 12 to encourage the consumption of the capsules of omega 3 fatty acids without the assistance of special diet.

The requirements of energy and macronutrients were identified in the patients of group one and three.

None of the subjects received advice on the physical activity that could perform.

Statistical analysis

The main objective of this study was to compare the changes in fasting levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density cholesterol (HD-C), low density cholesterol (LD-C), very low density cholesterol (VLD-C), the body weight and body mass index (BMI) against the week 4 and 12.

The safety and tolerability of the study medication were also secondary outcomes.

Statistical analysis was carried out starting with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test to identify the distribution of variables, then identify the type of distribution of each variable, is continuous with the descriptive statistical analysis for variables with abnormal distribution -non-parametric, with measures of central tendency and dispersion as: the median distance and interquartiles and variables with normal distribution - parametric- :the mean and standard deviation.

Inferential analysis to the intra-group used the Wilcoxon test and Friedman. For the inferential analysis between groups was implemented in the variables of non-normal distribution, the Kruskal-Wallis test; and for variables with normal distribution was used the one-way ANOVA test. Differences were considered statistically significant when the p value was <0.05 .

The data were processed using the statistical package No.18.0 and are presented in tables and graphics.