Recombinant Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Chronically Administered in Rats: Lack of Cachectic Effect

Barbara J. Mullen, Ruth B.S. Harris, John S. Patton, Roy J. Martin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-α (rHuTNF) was injected into rats to test its reported cachectic effects. Rats were subcutaneously injected daily at 1730 hr with either saline or rHuTNF (0.25 mg/kg body wt) for either 5 or 14 days. Daily food intakes were significantly depressed only for the first day and first two days of rHuTNF injection in animals treated for 5 days and 14 days, respectively. There were no significant differences in daily body weights among the groups. Analysis of carcass composition revealed no significant differences in percentage of lipid or protein. Liver and inguinal pad weights were not significantly different. In vitro determination of lipogenesis showed it was enhanced in the inguinal pad and depressed in the liver only after 14 days of treatment. These results demonstrate that although in vivo rHuTNF may specifically alter tissue metabolism, it does not, by itself, result in a sustained cachectic effect.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)318-325
Number of pages8
JournalProceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
Volume193
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1990
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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