Reversal of weight loss induced by tumour necrosis factor-alpha

When injected into female NMRI mice tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) produced a dose-related weight loss over the first 24 h, which was accompanied by and directly proportional to a decrease in both food and water intake. Body composition analysis after the first 8 h revealed that the weight loss was associated with a decrease in body water without a change in the other body compartments. Since the TNF-induced weight loss was accompanied by hypophagia and a concomitant hypoglycaemia we attempted to reverse the weight loss by force-feeding either glucose or medium chain-triglycerides (MCT). Weight loss induced by TNF was reversed by both glucose and MCT and by administration of the equivalent volumes of water alone. The weight reversal was accompanied by an increased body water content. This suggests that the weight loss in mice induced by TNF is, at least in part, due to dehydration.