# Brief communication: targeted serum proteomics in postpartum South African women living with and without HIV, correlations with anthropometry and adiposity

## TL;DR

This study explores how body fat and certain proteins in the blood relate to heart disease risk in postpartum women in South Africa, both with and without HIV.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific protein markers associated with adiposity and cardiovascular disease risk in postpartum women, regardless of HIV status.

## Key findings

- Adiposity was positively correlated with fatty acid binding protein 4, leptin, and galectin 9.
- Adiposity was negatively correlated with insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 and V-set immunoglobulin domain containing 2.

## Abstract

Postpartum adiposity is associated with long-term risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which may be influenced by HIV infection. We investigated cross-sectional correlations between postpartum adiposity measures, and circulating proteins linked to CVD in women living with and without HIV. Irrespective of HIV status, adiposity was positively correlated with fatty acid binding protein 4, leptin and galectin 9; and negatively correlated with insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 and V-set immunoglobulin domain containing 2. The link between adiposity and CVD-linked circulating proteins underscores the role of protein markers in understanding the cardiometabolic health of postpartum women living with and without HIV. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12981-025-00782-0.