title: Pentoxifylline and thalidomide fail to reduce hepatic steatosis during total parenteral nutrition and bowel rest in the rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We suggested that the continuous translocation of endotoxin from Gram-negative bacterial overgrowth during bowel rest and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) causes the release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), resulting in liver damage and hepatic dysfunction. Because TPN-induced hepatic steatosis was significantly reduced by the monoclonal antibodies against TNF, we attempted a more clinically applicable approach using pentoxifylline and thalidomide.
  
  
  METHODS
  A control group (group I) fed rat chow and four groups of rats receiving TPN were studied. Group II received TPN only; group III, TPN and 100 mg/kg/d pentoxifylline; group IV, TPN and 200 mg/kg/d pentoxifylline; and group V, TPN and 5 mg/kg/d thalidomide. On day 7, total liver fat was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bowel rest and TPN resulted in a significant (p < .0005) increase in liver fat content that was unaltered by either pentoxifylline or thalidomide.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show no role for pentoxifylline or thalidomide in reducing TPN-associated hepatic steatosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Hebrew University Hadassak Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vromen
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Spira
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bercovier
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Freund
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005234:Fatty Liver / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013792:Thalidomide; D010431:Pentoxifylline