How a GLP-1 weight-loss medicine might affect belly fat and HIV during treatment
Impact of a Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist administration on SIV/HIV pathogenesis and ART
Looks at whether a diabetes/weight-loss drug (a GLP‑1 agonist) can shrink harmful belly fat, lower inflammation, and reduce HIV hiding in fat for people living with HIV on ART.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318953 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a pigtailed macaque model that closely mimics the weight gain and increased visceral fat seen in people living with HIV who are on ART. Investigators will give an FDA-approved GLP‑1 receptor agonist alongside first-line ART to measure changes in abdominal fat, blood lipids, inflammation, and immune cell behavior. They will analyze fat tissue and blood for viral DNA, immune activation, and metabolic changes to see if improving fat metabolism reduces the amount of virus hiding in adipose tissue. The goal is to determine whether repurposing an existing drug could lower metabolic disease and viral persistence seen in people with HIV.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People living with HIV who are taking ART and who have gained weight or have excess abdominal/visceral fat or metabolic disease would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People not on ART, those without excess visceral fat, or individuals who have medical reasons they cannot take GLP‑1 drugs are less likely to benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lower visceral fat and inflammation and may reduce the HIV reservoir in fat, potentially improving metabolic health and long-term outcomes for people on ART.
How similar studies have performed: GLP‑1 drugs reliably cause weight loss and improve metabolic markers in the general population, but using them to reduce HIV reservoirs in fat is a newer, early-stage idea.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vasile Pandrea, Ivona — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Vasile Pandrea, Ivona
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.