Nutrition support affects the distribution and organ uptake of cachectin/tumor necrosis factor in rats.
BACKGROUND
We have previously observed a potentiation of the metabolic response to cachectin/tumor necrosis factor (TNF) by total parenteral nutrition (TPN) but not in anorexic orally fed animals. We hypothesized that nutritional status might affect TNF clearance kinetics.


METHODS
We compared the clearance of a bolus of labeled TNF in TPN-fed animals given sufficient nutrients to grow called weight-gaining rats (WGR) with those given 50% of the WGR called weight-losing rats (WLR) and with orally fed rats (OFR). Data were analyzed using a two-compartment open system model and by linear systems analysis.


RESULTS
The data from both types of analysis indicator that although metabolic clearance was similar, WGR had a slower fractional TNF clearance rate (FCR) as well as a larger volume of distribution than WLR or OFR. Further analysis showed that an increased proportion of the total mass of TNF resided in a plasma-associated compartment in WGR compared with WLR and OFR. In addition, WGR had reduced uptake of labeled TNF by the kidney.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that nutrition support influences either the distribution of TNF or the FCR, resulting in a greater retention in the plasma-associated compartment with intact absolute removal rates. This study has important implications concerning the type of nutrition support provided to the critically ill patient because our data suggest that clinical states with increased circulating TNF levels may be adversely affected by currently available nutritional practices.
Keith
M E
ME
Department of Nutritional Science, University of Toronto, Canada.
Norwich
K H
KH
Jeejeebhoy
K N
KN
D000418:Albumins / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D000818:Animals; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D016014:Linear Models; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000592:standards*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013154:Spleen / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000502:physiology; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000502:physiology
D000418:Albumins; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha