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Studies of cachexia in parasitic infection
1Division of Neurosurgery, New York Hospital-Cornell University Medical Center, New York 10021.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), also known as cachectin, is a key mediator in both cachexia and septic shock. Inhibiting TNF shows promise for treating infectious disease complications.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cachexia and septic shock are severe conditions linked to infections.
- Endogenous factors mediate these syndromes.
- The cytokine cachectin/TNF was identified as a potential humoral mediator.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cachectin/TNF in cachexia and septic shock.
- To explore cachectin/TNF as a therapeutic target for infectious diseases.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of cachectin/TNF.
- In vitro studies on adipose and skeletal muscle cells.
- In vivo studies in animals.
- Administration of recombinant cachectin/TNF.
- Use of anti-cachectin antibodies.
Main Results:
- Cachectin/TNF induces a catabolic state in cells and cachexia in vivo.
- Acute administration of cachectin/TNF causes shock and metabolic derangements.
- Anti-cachectin antibodies protect against lethal septic shock and cachexia.
Conclusions:
- Cachectin/TNF is a primary mediator of septic shock and cachexia.
- This cytokine plays a central role in inflammatory responses to infection.
- Inhibiting cachectin/TNF may be a therapeutic strategy for infectious disease complications.