The Gut, Liver And Metabolome in Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Non Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Over 1.1 million people in the United States are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Liver disease is a leading cause of mortality in persons with HIV (PWH), and PWH suffer a disproportionate burden of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). While the mechanisms underlying this disparity are not well understood, harmful changes in the intestinal microbiome ("dysbiosis") and increased bacterial product movement across the intestinal lining ("leaky gut") are implicated in the pathogenesis of NAFLD in HIV-negative persons. HIV infection has been shown to alter the intestinal microbiome and promote leaky gut; however, there are few data on the microbiome among PWH with NAFLD. Our overarching hypothesis is that intestinal dysbiosis in PWH promotes NAFLD through: 1) impairment of the barrier function of the intestinal lining causing translocation of proinflammatory bacterial products to the bloodstream and 2) alteration of plasma metabolites that promote NAFLD. Specifically, HIV-associated gut dysbiosis leads to reduction in the production of short chain fatty acids, which are essential for the maintenance of a healthy intestinal lining. A reduction in butyrate production leads to breakdown of the intestinal barrier, allowing for translocation of inflammatory bacterial products into the splanchnic vasculature and the liver. These products lead to inflammation and disruption of lipid metabolism in the liver causing lipid deposition in the liver. Additionally, dysbiosis in PWH leads to lower bacterial production of lipids necessary for fat metabolism in the liver leading to NAFLD. We will test these hypotheses in a single arm pre/post feasibility and efficacy trial of an intervention designed to restore a healthy gut microbiome in PWH with NAFLD (n=63). The study will assess the effects of a probiotic containing multiple strains of bacteria supporting butyrate synthesis and prebiotic fiber among PWH at risk of NAFLD (diagnosis of metabolic syndrome, elevated BMI or elevated transaminases) without history of current excessive alcohol use, viral hepatitis or other known liver diseases.

Inclusion criteria

• One of the following:

• One or more of the components of metabolic syndrome, defined as:

• Diagnosis of diabetes: on medication for diabetes for at least 6 months, HbA1c >6.5%, or fasting glucose >99 mg/dL
• Elevated fasting triglycerides: >149 mg/dL or on medication for dyslipidemia
• Reduced HDL-C: <40 mg/dL in males, <50 mg/dL in females or on medication for dyslipidemia
• Elevated blood pressure: >129 mm Hg systolic and/or >84 mm Hg diastolic or on medication for hypertension
• Prior diagnosis of hepatic steatosis or NAFLD: hepatic steatosis noted on interpretation of clinical imaging, CT scan liver density of less than 58 HU, Fibroscan CAP score >238 dB/m, MRI-PDFF ≥5%, liver biopsy showing ≥5% triglyceride content
• Persistently abnormal transaminases: elevated liver enzymes defined by transaminases ≥1.5 upper limit of normal ([ULN] = 35 IU/mL) and/or gammaglutamyltransferase level ≥2 ULN (ULN = 60 IU/L) on 2 blood samples within at least a 3-month interval
• BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2
• Documented HIV infection
• On antiretroviral therapy for at least 18 months
• HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/ml for the prior 12 months
• CD4 count >350 cells/microliter for the prior 12 months
• Ability to be contacted by phone (home or cell)
• Access to a private (i.e. accessible only to participant and immediate family or roommates) refrigerator for 6 months
• Able and willing to comply with all study protocols and procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Not fluent in English
• Known allergy to the study product or its formulation
• Pregnant or planning to become pregnant within the next six months
• History of chronic diarrhea in the past three months
• Breastfeeding
• History of celiac disease
• Prior diagnosis of non-NAFLD liver disease including, but not limited to, Wilson Disease, hemochromatosis, autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
• On medications associated with secondary NAFLD including systemic corticosteroids, tamoxifen, methotrexate, nifedipine, history of cancer chemotherapy,
• Positive hepatitis C quant or on treatment for hepatitis C within the last 12 months
• History of cirrhosis or liver transplant
• AUDIT-C score ≥3 women and ≥4 in men
• History of inflammatory bowel disease
• History of all other GI surgery within the past 12 months
• Use of antibiotics in the past 30 days
• Metal shrapnel, MRI incompatible hardware or claustrophobia that would preclude MRI imaging
• Inability to participate in the study in the opinion of the participant's HIV treatment provider
• Use of prebiotic(s) including fiber supplements and/or probiotic(s) within the past 90 days
• Participant has history of hemicolectomy, colectomy, small bowel resection, bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgery, or short bowel syndrome