Monokine production by malnourished nursing home patients.
Protein malnutrition is associated with a decreased febrile and acute phase response to infection and increased mortality. To elucidate a cause for this poor response, we assessed the effect of chronic protein malnutrition on monocyte production of the pyrogens interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Thirteen malnourished nursing home residents, 11 age-matched controls, and 9 young controls were studied. Production of IL-1 and TNF in vitro was not diminished in the malnourished group when compared with the age-matched and young controls. Causes other than diminished IL-1 or TNF production should be sought to explain decreased resistance to infection in the malnourished nursing home resident.
Bradley
S F
SF
Department of Internal Medicine, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Vibhagool
A
A
Fabrick
S
S
Terpenning
M S
MS
Kauffman
C A
CA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism*
D007375:Interleukin-1; D012177:Retinol-Binding Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D014168:Transferrin; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha