Inclusion Criteria: HIV positive people at least 18 years old who will remain in the San Francisco Bay Area for the study period. 

Potential participants may contact: Neal Carnes <NCarnes@psg.ucsf.edu>, UCSF Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, 74 New Montgomery Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 597-4669. To view a complete list of the studies conducted through the Center For AIDS Prevention Studies visit <http://www.caps.ucsf.edu/capsweb/projectregistry.html>.
 

The FRAME Study

This randomized six-month study aims to determine if metformin (Glucophage) plus nutritional counseling is effective in reducing abdominal fat in HIV-positive people. Patients are required to stay overnight on the Clinical Study Unit to have tests done. Tests include body mass composition, body urine collection and food diaries with a dietitian. Patients receive either metformin or placebo and nutritional counseling throughout the course of the study. They also receive transportation costs and are paid up to $280 for completing the study. Inclusion Criteria: HIV-positive people at least 18 years old with increased abdominal girth since beginning protease inhibitors. Patients must be taking protease inhibitors or have discontinued them for at least three months with no decrease in abdominal girth. In addition, patients must have a waist/hip ratio of at least 0.95 in men or 0.85 in women.
Exclusion Criteria: Diabetes, use of corticosteroids, anabolic steroids or growth hormone, significant heart, kidney or liver disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, active alcohol abuse or acute infections within the past month.

Potential participants may contact: Kerry Coon <kerry.coon@tufts.edu>, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Avenue, Stearns 3, Boston, MA 02111 (617) 636-0810. 

The Nutrition for Healthy Living Study 

This Boston study enrolls HIV-positive people and attempts to determine how nutrition affects HIV disease progression. It evaluates the long-term effects of the disease on nutritional status, metabolism, and body composition. Researchers also hope to define the effects of HAART medication on nutritional status, metabolism, and body composition and assess nutritional and metabolic risk factors for heart disease and diabetes. Researchers also observe how nutrition affects quality of life, functional status, and physical performance.
Eligibility Criteria: HIV-positive at least 18 years old who can attend two initial study visits one week apart and one 2 ½ hour visit every six months for three years. Participants must be available for telephone contact between visits. All participants receive nutritional counseling by a nutritionist who develops an eating plan tailored to meet individual health needs. Participants receive $50 at each visit after the initial enrollment visit.

For more information telephone: 617/636-3636. 

To view a complete list of the studies conducted through the Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, MA visit <http://www.tufts.edu/med/nutrition_HIV/studies/Research.html>.
 

Visit The Body to see what major clinical trials are going on throughout the US <http://www.thebody.com/sfaf/winter01/clinical_trials.html>.