The purpose of this research study is to understand why certain HIV medication regimens
(called anti-retroviral or ARV medications) cause more weight gain than others. In this
research, the investigators will compare micro-RNA profiles of people who take
Symtuza(darunavir(D)/cobicistat(C)/emtricitabine(F)/tenofovir alafenamide (TAF))[D/C/F/TAF]
with those who take Biktarvy(bictegravir(B)/emtricitabine(F)/tenofovir alafenamide
(TAF))[B/F/TAF] and try to correlate this with the change in body weight and BMI over a
course of 48 weeks. The investigators will also attempt to monitor the calorie intake of the
participants in the two groups and correlate it with treatment-induced weight gain.
Micro-RNAs are small molecules that are produced naturally in the human body, and which are
responsible for modifying the expressions of genes. They have the potential to be used in
diagnostic and therapeutic medicine and their putative role has been explored in many
diseases across many clinical trials. By doing this research, the investigators hope to learn
more about their role in HIV disease and its correlation with treatment-induced weight gain.