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The Hiv Protease Inhibitor Saquinavir Impairs Lipid Metabolism And Glucose Transport In Cultured Adipocytes, S. Ranganathan, Philip A. Kern

Clinical and Translational Science Faculty Publications

Treatment of HIV infection using protease inhibitors is frequently associated with lipodystrophy and impaired lipid and glucose metabolism. We examined the effect of saquinavir, one of the protease inhibitors, on lipid metabolism and glucose transport in cultured adipocytes. Saquinavir inhibited lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity in 3T3-F442A and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The inhibition of LPL was 81% at a concentration of 20 μg/ml. Another closely related drug, indinavir, had a small inhibitory effect. Saquinavir also inhibited the biosynthesis of lipids from [¹⁴C]-acetate. Saquinavir increased the lipolysis. Saquinavir had no significant effect on the cellular protein synthesis or protein content. Saquinavir …