Mitochondrial Haplogroups N9 and G Are Associated with Metabolic Syndrome Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients in China.

Increasing evidence shows that mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations have an important effect on metabolic disorders, but such studies have not been conducted in HIV-infected patients in Asia. We investigated the distribution of mtDNA haplogroups and their correlation with metabolic disorders in HIV-infected patients. A cross-sectional survey was performed among 296 HIV patients older than the age of 40 years in a rural prefecture, Eastern China. The entire mtDNA sequence was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using four overlapping pairs of primers that have been standardly used. In this sample, mtDNA haplogroups B, D, M7, and F were the most dominant haplogroups. The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) was 36.1%, and was highest (77.8%) among those with haplogroup G and lowest (21.4%) among those with haplogroup M8. In multivariable analysis, haplogroups G and N9 were significantly associated with the presence of MetS [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 13.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.9-94.7; aOR = 8.1, 95% CI: 1.8-36.1; respectively]. Moreover, patients with haplogroup G had increased odds of elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (aOR = 10.1, 95% CI: 1.4-71.1), patients with haplogroup N9 had increased odds of elevated triglycerides (aOR = 13.5, 95% CI: 2.4-76.8). No significant association between mtDNA haplogroups and other MetS components was observed. Our data demonstrate the association between mtDNA haplogroups and MetS in HIV-infected patients. The Asian-specific mtDNA haplogroups G and N9 may confer higher risk for the development of MetS in HIV-infected patients, which requires further longitudinal investigation.