Dietary regimens appear to possess significant effects on the development of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART)-associated metabolic syndrome.

Animal study investigating the interaction between diet and antiretroviral drug regimens

“This study investigated the interactions between a low protein high calorie (LPHC) diet and an integrase inhibitor-containing antiretroviral drug regimen (INI-CR)in light of evidence suggesting that the initiation of cART in patients with poor nutritional status is a predictor of mortality independent of immune status.”

Freshly weaned Sprague Dawley rats

“Freshly weaned Sprague Dawley rats (120) were randomized into the standard, LPHC and normal protein high calorie (NPHC) diet groups (n = 40/group) initially for 15 weeks.”

Co-administration of tesamorelin reversed the metabolic effects observed in the antiretroviral treatment groups

“The effects were however reversed by co-administration with tesamorelin, a synthetic growth hormone releasing hormone analogue.”