Researchers have identified a specific set of biological markers in the blood that can predict the onset of dangerous arterial plaques in people living with HIV years before it becomes visible on a scan. The study, “ Inflammation-associated Lipidomic Signatures Prior to Carotid Artery Atherosclerosis in People Living With HIV ,” published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism , maps out a complex network of lipid metabolism and inflammation that appears to drive “silent” heart disease in this high-risk population.
Using advanced untargeted lipidomic profiling, scientists from Fudan University and the Shanghai Institute of Infectious Diseases analyzed hundreds of plasma lipid species. They discovered that specific “lipidomic signatures” — particularly those involving glycerophospholipid metabolism and short-chain fatty acids — are significantly altered in HIV-positive individuals who eventually develop subclinical carotid atherosclerosis (SCA), a precursor to strokes and heart attacks.
The findings are particularly critical for the modern management of HIV. While antiretroviral therapy has turned HIV into a manageable chronic condition, patients still face a disproportionately high risk of cardiovascular disease compared to the general population.
Endocrine News published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 03 Mar 2026.
The item focuses on Metabolic “Fingerprints” Found to Predict Early Arterial Damage in People Living with HIV.
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