Serum Lipocalin-2/NGAL in Relation to Biomarkers of Inflammation and Cardiac Stretch During Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) in HIV.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship of lipocalin-2 to inflammation and cardiac injury with increased aldosterone in HIV.

METHODS: A standardized 6-day low sodium diet was used to stimulate RAAS activation, and serum lipocalin-2 and biomarkers of inflammation and cardiac stretch were assessed among persons with and without HIV.

RESULTS: Lipocalin-2 (71.3[59.2,99.7] vs. 67.0[51.8,86.3]ng/mL, P=.01) increased with RAAS activation vs. suppression in the HIV group. During RAAS activation, lipocalin-2 was related to biomarkers of inflammation[TNFα(P=.007)], monocyte/macrophage activation[sCD163(P=.005), CcL-2(P=.03)], and markers of cardiac stretch[BNP(P=.0008), NTproBNP(P=.001)] in HIV.

CONCLUSION: Lipocalin-2 may be important in modulating aldosterone-induced inflammation, monocyte activation, and cardiac stretch during RAAS activation in HIV.