Kidney Fat Can Predict Lipodystrophy?

Patients who experience a buildup of fat around their kidneys while on anti-HIV therapy are likely to develop lipodystrophy, while those whose kidney fat remains unchanged are not likely to face such complications, according to a study in the July 15 edition of Clinical Infectious Diseases. In all 72 patients who participated in the study, increased perirenal fat diameter was linked with higher levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, blood glucose, and insulin. Rising perirenal fat levels were also linked with fat loss in the arms and legs in study subjects who had previously not received any anti-HIV treatment. None of the treatment-naive patients who maintained normal perirenal fat levels developed signs of lipodystrophy. Because measuring kidney fat is simple and safe, the researchers recommend gauging perirenal fat as a 'first-choice procedure for the evaluation of this complication.'