Effects of HIV fixed-dose combination drugs on metabolic health : selected glucose homeostasis markers and pancreatic dysfunction in diet-induced prediabetic rats

Abstract

This dataset contains experimental data evaluating the metabolic effects of two commonly used fixed-dose combination antiretroviral regimens, Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/Emtricitabine (TDF/FTC; marketed as Truvada) and Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/Emtricitabine/Efavirenz (TDF/FTC/EFV; marketed as Triovir), on glucose regulation and pancreatic metabolic function.The study was designed to investigate how prolonged exposure to these regimens influences markers of glucose homeostasis under two metabolic conditions: normal metabolic status and diet-induced prediabetes. Given the increasing coexistence of HIV and metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes, this dataset supports research into the metabolic consequences of long-term antiretroviral therapy.Study design:Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into:Non-prediabetic (NPD) groupDiet-induced prediabetic (PD) group (high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet for 20 weeks)Each metabolic category was further subdivided into:Untreated controlTDF/FTC-treatedTDF/FTC/EFV-treatedDrug regimens were administered daily via oral gavage for 12 weeks.Body weight, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) responses, plasma triglycerides, and total cholesterol were recorded at 4-week intervals throughout the study. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to quantify HbA1c, insulin, glucagon, and C-peptide concentrations. Hepatic glucose levels were determined using a colorimetric phenol–sulfuric acid assay. Indices of insulin resistance and β-cell function (HOMA-IR and HOMA-β) were subsequently calculated from the relevant biochemical parameters.The results indicate that TDF/FTC and TDF/FTC/EFV differentially impact glucose homeostasis and pancreatic function: TDF/FTC promotes early insulin resistance in healthy rats, while TDF/FTC/EFV induces β-cell stress but improves hepatic insulin sensitivity. In prediabetic rats, both regimens improve insulin sensitivity short-term, though elevated hepatic glucose output persists. These findings emphasise the need for comprehensive metabolic screening before treatment initiation and ongoing metabolic monitoring during HIV therapy