Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore the gut-brain axis by examining gut hormone levels and cognitive test scores in women with (HIV+) and without (HIV−) HIV infection.Design/methodsParticipants included 356 women (248 HIV+, 108 at risk HIV−) in the Brooklyn Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) with measured levels of ghrelin, amylin and gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP), also known as glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide. Cross-sectional analyses using linear regression models estimated the relationship between gut hormones and Trails A, Trails B, Stroop interference time, Stroop word recall, Stroop color naming and reading, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) with consideration for age, HIV infection status, Wide Range Achievement Test score (WRAT), CD4 count, insulin resistance, drug use, and race/ethnicity.ResultsAmong women at mid-life with chronic (at least 10 years) HIV infection or among those at risk, ghrelin, amylin and GIP were differentially related to cognitive test performance by cognitive domain. Better performance on cognitive tests was generally associated with higher ghrelin, amylin and GIP levels. However, the strength of association varied, as did significance level by HIV status.ConclusionPrevious analyses in WIHS participants have suggested that higher BMI, waist, and WHR are associated with better cognitive function among women at mid-life with HIV infection. This study indicates that higher gut hormone levels are also associated with better cognition. Gut hormones may provide additional mechanistic insights regarding the association between obesity and Type 2 diabetes and cognition in middle-aged HIV+ and at risk HIV− women. In addition, measuring these hormones longitudinally would add to the understanding of mechanisms of actions of these hormones and their use as potential clinical tools for early identification and intervention on cognitive decline in this vulnerable population.
Highlights
Survival with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection has been extended because of antiretroviral therapies (ART)
Among women at mid-life with chronic HIV infection or among those at risk, ghrelin, amylin and Gastric Inhibitory Peptide (GIP) were differentially related to cognitive test performance by cognitive domain
Previous analyses in Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) participants have suggested that higher body mass index (BMI), waist, and WHR are associated with better cognitive function among women at mid-life with HIV infection
Summary
Survival with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection has been extended because of antiretroviral therapies (ART). Individuals with HIV infection are becoming more overweight and obese, which increases their risk for developing the aforementioned leading causes of disability and death in the United States and around the world, of interest here, cognitive impairments [1,2,3]. The gut brain axis has been extensively implicated in human health. Hormones secreted by the gut have been shown to interact with the brain and regulate feeding behavior and energy balance [4]. Food intake behavior and energy homeostasis are strongly regulated by a complex system of humoral factors and neural structures constituting the gut-brain axis. The only known peripherally produced and centrally acting peptide that stimulates food intake (orexigenic) is ghrelin, which is mainly synthesized in the stomach
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
