Differential contribution of chronic binge alcohol and antiretroviral therapy to metabolic dysregulation in SIV-infected male macaques

TThe incidence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is higher among people living with HIV (PLWH). The advent and continued development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly reduced mortality, shifting the course of HIV-infection to a chronic illness. However, this is associated with an increased incidence of comorbid conditions including type 2 diabetes mellitus, insulin resistance and cardiovascular complications. Using a non-human primate model of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) infection, previous studies have demonstrated that chronic binge alcohol (CBA) administration decreases whole body insulin responsiveness, irrespective of ART administration. The objective of the current study was to determine the effects of CBA and ART on insulin-sensitive peripheral tissues prior to the development of overt clinical symptoms of SIV disease. Our results show that CBA reduced omental adipocyte cell size, increased collagen expression and decreased the in vitro differentiation potential of adipose deriv...