Mediation of anorexia by human recombinant tumor necrosis factor through a peripheral action in the rat

Human recombinant tumor necrosis factor (TNF) produces significant anorexia in the rat which persists for up to 24 h after a single dose (5 micrograms/325 g rat). Dose-response studies indicate similar potencies for TNF following central or peripheral administration. Brain 125I-TNF levels were more than 100-fold greater after intracerebroventricular than i.v. injection, whereas blood levels of radioactivity were quite similar following both routes of administration. Gel filtration chromatography and precipitation by trichloroacetic acid showed that the radioactive label which exited the central nervous system was associated with intact TNF. The rapid effusion of 125I-TNF from the central nervous system resulted in detection of similar levels of the cytokine in a number of important target tissues (skin, muscle, fat) relative to that detected after peripheral administration. After i.v. or intracerebroventricular administration, blood levels of TNF declined rapidly to nearly undetectable levels over 4 h. However, the anorexia induced by TNF was sustained, and feeding remained depressed between 6 and 24 h postadministration. These observations suggest that TNF produces its anorectic effects at peripheral sites, possibly through mediators.