Background and Study Objective
The potential impact of Tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF), an antiviral drug, on lipid levels in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients has been a subject of investigation due to concerns that certain medications may alter lipid profiles. Previous studies on TMF, a medication known for its efficacy in managing viral load in CHB patients, have raised questions about whether it could influence blood lipid levels, which are crucial indicators for cardiovascular health. To address this uncertainty, researchers conducted a 48-week study with 91 CHB patients to observe any significant changes in their lipid profiles while undergoing TMF treatment. This study’s primary aim was to clarify whether TMF poses any risks of altering lipid levels during its use.
Methodology and Patient Group Analysis
The study divided the 91 participants into two distinct groups based on their initial lipid levels: a Lipid Normal group (n = 42) and a Lipid Abnormal group (n = 49). Both groups underwent Tenofovir Amibufenamide (TMF) treatment for a duration of 48 weeks. Researchers collected data on lipid indices, virological responses, and other biochemical indicators at regular intervals to monitor any changes over time. The researchers complemented these clinical findings with in vitro experiments involving primary hepatocytes and AML12 cells to examine any TMF-related changes in lipid metabolism on a cellular level.
Following a period averaging 373 days, a comparative analysis of the lipid indices of both groups revealed no substantial differences from their baseline levels. The metrics observed included total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. These remained consistent within both the normal and abnormal lipid groups, providing insight into TMF’s neutral effect on blood lipid levels across different patient profiles.
Results and Conclusion
The findings highlighted that the treatment did not induce any notable lipid changes. Among the measured parameters, total cholesterol levels remained steady (4.67 vs. 4.69 mmol/L), as did triglycerides (1.08 vs. 1.04 mmol/L), HDL cholesterol (1.25 vs. 1.25 mmol/L), and LDL cholesterol (3.03 vs. 3.02 mmol/L), with p-values indicating no statistically significant shifts. Additionally, among those new to antiviral treatment (n = 82), viral suppression rates gradually improved over time, reaching an 86.6% success rate at the 48-week mark.
The cellular experiments further reinforced these findings, demonstrating that Tenofovir Amibufenamide (TMF) did not prompt any lipid metabolism alterations in hepatocytes or AML12 cells, suggesting the medication does not impact lipid levels directly or indirectly through cellular pathways. In conclusion, this study provides evidence that TMF does not increase lipid levels in CHB patients, regardless of their baseline lipid profile. This is a reassuring finding for CHB patients and healthcare providers concerned about cardiovascular health, affirming that TMF remains a safe choice for CHB treatment without the added risk of lipid profile changes.
