High-density lipoprotein cholesterol is low in HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophic fat expansions: implications for pathogenesis of fat redistribution.

Objective: To demonstrate relationships between plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and fat expansions in the fat redistribution syndrome.

Design: Patients who had significant buffalo humps or intra-abdominal fat (IAF) expansions were identified and their HDL levels were measured. Control patients were all those undergoing a single trial of antiretroviral treatment.