Randomized Trial to Improve Muscle Health and Reduce Fat in Veterans with HIV and Obesity

What this Trial Is About

The trial studies Veterans with HIV who also have obesity, focusing on the condition called myosteatosis, which is excess fat within and around muscle. This fat buildup can lead to physical decline, frailty, disability, and other health problems like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study aims to evaluate a new combined intervention to improve muscle quality and reduce fat in skeletal muscle, addressing a significant health need in Veterans with treated HIV and obesity. Participants receive one of several interventions a diet high in unsaturated fats alone or combined with omega-3 fatty acid supplements, L-carnitine supplements, or both omega-3 and L-carnitine. These treatments are designed to increase fat metabolism in muscles, reduce muscle breakdown, and lessen insulin resistance and inflammation. The study uses a randomized factorial design to assess the effects of these interventions over time. During the trial, participants are assessed for changes in muscle fat content, mitochondrial function, glucose metabolism, inflammation, exercise tolerance, and physical function at weeks 24 and 44. The study includes imaging, glucose tolerance tests, and physical performance measures to evaluate outcomes. The total participation time spans at least 44 weeks, with ongoing monitoring of muscle and metabolic health.

A Study to Improve Skeletal Muscle in Veterans With HIV