DIRECT EFFECTS OF ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY ON CARDIAC ENERGY HOMEOSTASIS

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Project Summary The long-term goals of this project are to characterize the influence of antiretroviral therapies on myocardial energy homeostasis and to elucidate how these changes in substrate delivery adversely affect cardiac function in the stressed heart. The studies in this proposal are intended to establish direct effects of HIV protease inhibitors (PIs) on heart function in the setting of concomitant myocardial stress or injury, to identify the molecular mechanism(s) that are responsible for these changes, and to provide effective therapeutic strategies to prevent or ameliorate cardiac dysfunction. We hypothesize that drug-induced alterations in normal substrate delivery and/or utilization in the setting of acute and chronic stress impair contractile function, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. We further hypothesize that the ability to increase myocardial glucose uptake will improve cardiac function and survival. To test these hypotheses, the effects of PIs on cardiac function and survival will be tested in murine models of dilated cardiomyopathy and myocardial infarction. The ability of PIs to affect nutrient sensing, alter insulin signaling, impair glucose uptake, and change myocardial calcium flux will be investigated both in vitro and in an isolated working heart model system. Finally, the ability of the incretin mimetic exenatide to improve insulin sensitivity and prolong survival in PI-treated mice will be tested. Taken together, these studies will provide new insights regarding the direct contribution of antiretroviral therapy to cardiac-related morbidity and mortality and will provide a rationale basis for efforts to improve the quality of life of HIV infected individuals at increased risk for the development of cardiovascular disease.