Tumor necrosis factor increases in vivo glucose utilization of macrophage-rich tissues

Glucose utilization of different tissues was investigated in vivo by the 2-deoxyglucose tracer technique. After infusion of a non-lethal dose of recombinant human TNF-alpha (150 micrograms/kg) to rats, glucose utilization was increased by 80-100% in spleen, liver, kidney, by 60% in skin and by 30-40% in lung and ileum. The largest increase (150%) was observed in the diaphragm. There was no significant change in glucose utilization by skeletal muscles, testis and brain. These data show that TNF exerts metabolic effects on macrophage-rich tissues, and suggest that enhanced secretion of TNF may be one of the important factors in eliciting the metabolic changes in sepsis and endotoxicosis.