HIV infection is associated with the premature onset of age-associated co-morbidities such as non-AIDS malignancies and cardiovascular disease. These co-morbidities have been linked to persistently elevated serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines that mimic an aging phenotype known as inflamm-aging. In both middle-aged HIV+ persons and older HIV seronegative adults, inflamm-aging is associated with more limited T cell repertoires and increased risk for morbidities and mortality. Our hypothesis is that inflamm-aging is responsible for the premature immune senescence associated with HIV infection in aging individuals. Immune senescence, characterized by diminished replicative capacity, has been observed in middle-aged persons treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (H/VKRT) who achieve immune reconstitution and undetectable viral loads. Senescent cells are characterized bythe absence ofthe surface marker CD28, and in advanced senescence express CD57 (CD28-/CD57+ phenotype). Fish oil may be an effective treatment option for reducing HIV-related inflamm-aging. Cold water fish are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which have anti-inflammatory effects.. We propose a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to explore the safety and estimate the effect size of fish oil to modulate parameters of inflamm-aging and immune senescence in a well-characterized cohort of 38 HIV+ AA. Participants will be between the ages of 50 and 65, on stable H/ ART, and with inflammation evidenced by elevated plasma concentrations of interleukln-6 (IL-6) or high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Participants will be recruited from the Rush Center of Excellence on Disparities in HIV and Aging (Rush CEDHA). Each participant will be randomized to receive either 1.2 grams daily of EPA and DHA (600 mg of EPA and 600 mg of DHA), or a placebo identical in appearance for 12 weeks. We will measure (a) soluble markers of inflammation: TNF-alpha, lL-6, and gamma IFN; and (b) markers of immune senescence: CD28 and CD57 expression on CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocyte cells. At baseline and 4 and 12 weeks post-baseline, we will measure safety parameters.

Public Health Relevance

HIV infection is associated with chronic inflammation which can lead to the premature onset of immune aging in middle aged persons. Immune aging can lead to the development of chronic conditions, such as heart disease and cancer. Treatments that reduce inflammation have the potential to reverse immune aging. We propose to test fish oil, a known anti-inflammatory, to reverse immune aging in HIV+ persons.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD)
Type
Exploratory Grants (P20)
Project #
5P20MD006886-04
Application #
8804202
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMD1)
Project Start
Project End
2016-01-31
Budget Start
2015-02-01
Budget End
2016-01-31
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Rush University Medical Center
Department
Type
DUNS #
068610245
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60612
Rodrigues, Jovita; Capuano, Ana W; Barnes, Lisa L et al. (2018) Effect of Antidepressant Medication Use and Social Engagement on the Level of Depressive Symptoms in Community-Dwelling, Older African Americans and Whites With Dementia. J Aging Health :898264318772983
Jansen, Willemijn J; Wilson, Robert S; Visser, Pieter Jelle et al. (2018) Age and the association of dementia-related pathology with trajectories of cognitive decline. Neurobiol Aging 61:138-145
Nguyen, Annie L; McNeil, Candice J; Han, S Duke et al. (2018) Risk and protective factors for health-related quality of life among persons aging with HIV. AIDS Care 30:518-522
Krueger, Kristin R; Adeyemi, Oluwatoyin; Leurgans, Sue et al. (2017) Association of cognitive activity and neurocognitive function in blacks and whites with HIV. AIDS 31:437-441
Han, S Duke; Adeyemi, Oluwatoyin; Wilson, Robert S et al. (2017) Loneliness in Older Black Adults with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Is Associated with Poorer Cognition. Gerontology 63:253-262
Turner, Arlener D; James, Bryan D; Capuano, Ana W et al. (2017) Perceived Stress and Cognitive Decline in Different Cognitive Domains in a Cohort of Older African Americans. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 25:25-34
Arvanitakis, Zoe; Fleischman, Debra A; Arfanakis, Konstantinos et al. (2016) Association of white matter hyperintensities and gray matter volume with cognition in older individuals without cognitive impairment. Brain Struct Funct 221:2135-46
Lim, Andrew S P; Fleischman, Debra A; Dawe, Robert J et al. (2016) Regional Neocortical Gray Matter Structure and Sleep Fragmentation in Older Adults. Sleep 39:227-35
Arfanakis, Konstantinos; Wilson, Robert S; Barth, Christopher M et al. (2016) Cognitive activity, cognitive function, and brain diffusion characteristics in old age. Brain Imaging Behav 10:455-63
Fleischman, Debra A; Yang, Jingyun; Arfanakis, Konstantinos et al. (2015) Physical activity, motor function, and white matter hyperintensity burden in healthy older adults. Neurology 84:1294-300

Showing the most recent 10 out of 21 publications