Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV-1 infection has been associated with a metabolic syndrome characterized by insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, and redistribution of body fat (lipodystrophy). A subset of patients with predominant lipoatrophy has low levels of the adipocyte-secreted hormone leptin.
Recombinant methionyl human leptin therapy in replacement doses improves insulin resistance and metabolic profile in patients with lipoatrophy and metabolic syndrome induced by the highly active antiretroviral therapy.
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Stoneman 816, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.