Treatment of HIV-associated dyslipidemia: a role for omega-3 fatty acids.

Both HIV and its treatment, particularly protease inhibitors, can cause lipidemia similar to that seen with the metabolic syndrome. The most notable effects are elevated triglyceride levels and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, with or without elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. Current recommendations by the National Cholesterol Education Program for HIV-infected persons focus on LDL-C as the primary target of therapy: after lifestyle modifications, statins should be used to lower LDL-C levels. Therapy with fibrates is recommended to lower triglyceride levels. However, omega-3 fatty acids can be an effective means of lowering triglyceride levels as well, particularly in patients with markedly elevated triglyceride levels.