Proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides and cytokines: relations in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin, cortisol, and the cytokines interleukin 1 beta (IL-1 beta), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) were measured in 80 AIDS patients (group IV CDC) and in healthy hospital personnel. The average plasma alpha-MSH was significantly greater in AIDS patients than in control subjects; no significant differences between groups were observed in the average concentrations of ACTH, cortisol, and beta-endorphin; plasma cytokines were likewise similar in the two groups. Plasma concentrations of alpha-MSH and ACTH were inversely related in AIDS patients and a similar inverse relation between alpha-MSH and IL-6 was also observed in these patients. There were positive relations among elevated circulating ACTH, cortisol, IL-6, and high fever in AIDS patients with severe concomitant disease. Plasma alpha-MSH concentrations within a specific range correlated positively with 6 month survival. Because cytokines can stimulate HIV expression in certain cell types and they are believed to have a role in disease progression in HIV-infected patients, it may be that a potent endogenous modulator of cytokine action such as alpha-MSH is crucial to survival in these patients.
First Medical Clinic, University of Milan, Italy.
A
A
Catania
L
L
Airaghi
M G
MG
Manfredi
M C
MC
Vivirito
F
F
Milazzo
J M
JM
Lipton
C
C
Zanussi
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010455:Peptides / Q000097:blood*; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015996:Survival Rate; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000097:blood
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D010455:Peptides; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000521:alpha-MSH; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D006854:Hydrocortisone