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Beta-nerve growth factor as a mediator of the acute phase response in vivo
K Nonogaki1, A H Moser, J Shigenaga
1Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 94121 USA.
Abstract:
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is increased during inflammation and stress. Stress-induced increases in specific serum proteins, such as serum amyloid A (SAA) and serum triglyceride (TG) levels, are part of the acute phase response which is mediated by cytokines. We now report the effect of systemic administration of beta-NGF on levels of serum lipids and SAA. Beta-NGF induced a rapid and sustained increase in serum TG and free fatty acid (FFA) in a dose dependent manner, while decreasing serum cholesterol levels in rats. Additionally, beta-NGF increased hepatic mRNA levels and serum concentrations of SAA at 16 hours in mice. Thus, beta-NGF joins the list of cytokines and growth factors that can mediate the acute phase response.