Simon Collins, HIV i-Base

Driscoll and colleagues reported that exercise training (one hour of aerobic plus strength training three times a week) together with metformin (850mg BID) significantly improved cardiovascular risk markers (waist-to-hip ratio, resting systolic and diastolic blood pressures and aerobic capacity to exercise) compared to metformin alone.[19]

The study population included 37 HIV-positive patients on HAART with hyperinsulinaemia or impaired glucose tolerance and waist-to-hip ratio >0.90 in men or >0.85 in women. Only 25 people completed the study, which unfortunately did not include an exercise-only arm. Diet did not change during the study.

References:

Unless otherwise stated, all abstracts refer to the programme and abstracts from the 5th International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Lipodystrophy in HIV, 8-11 July 2003, Paris and are published in Antiviral Therapy Volume 8 issue 4.

19. Driscoll S, Meininger G, Lareau M et al – Effects of exercise training and metformin on body composition and cardiovascular indices in HIV-infected patients. Abstract 4.