Review
HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS): etiology and pathophysiological mechanisms
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* Corresponding author: Eric Freedland eric.freedland@emdserono.com
1 University of Colorado Infectious Disease Group Practice, Denver, CO, USA
2 Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology & Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
3 EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA
AIDS Research and Therapy 2007, 4:14 doi:10.1186/1742-6405-4-14
Published: 27 June 2007Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS) is a fat accumulation disorder characterized by increases in visceral adipose tissue. Patients with HARS may also present with excess truncal fat and accumulation of dorsocervical fat ("buffalo hump"). The pathophysiology of HARS appears multifactorial and is not fully understood at present. Key pathophysiological influences include adipocyte dysfunction and an excessive free fatty acid release by adipocyte lipolysis. The contributory roles of free fatty acids, cytokines, hormones including cortisol, insulin and the growth hormone-adipocyte axis are significant. Other potential humoral, paracrine, endocrine, and neural influences are also discussed.