Tumor necrosis factor-alpha modulates human in vivo lipolysis.

Peter Plomgaard, Christian P Fischer, Tobias Ibfelt, Bente K Pedersen, Gerrit van Hall

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74 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

CONTEXT: Low-grade systemic inflammation is a feature of most lifestyle-related chronic diseases. Enhanced TNF-alpha concentrations have been implicated in the development of hyperlipidemia. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesized that an acute elevation of TNF-alpha in plasma would cause an increase in lipolysis, increasing circulatory free fatty acid (FFA) levels. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Using a randomized controlled, crossover design, healthy young male individuals (n = 10) received recombinant human (rh) TNF-alpha (700 ng/m(-2).h(-1)) for 4 h, and energy metabolism was evaluated using a combination of tracer dilution methodology and arterial-venous differences over the leg. RESULTS: Plasma TNF-alpha levels increased from 0.7 +/- 0.04 to 16.7 +/- 1.8 pg/ml, and plasma IL-6 increased from 1.0 +/- 0.2 to 9.2 +/- 1.0 pg/ml (P < 0.05) after 4-h rhTNF-alpha infusion. Here, we demonstrate that 4-h rhTNF-alpha infusion increases whole body lipolysis by 40% (P < 0.05) with a concomitant increase in FFA clearance, with no changes in skeletal muscle FFA uptake, release, or oxidation. Of note, systemic glucose turnover and lactate and catecholamine levels were unaffected by rhTNF-alpha infusion. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a relatively low dose of rhTNF-alpha induces systemic lipolysis and that the skeletal muscle fat metabolism is unaffected.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume93
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)543-9
Number of pages6
ISSN0021-972X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Adult; Blood Glucose; Cross-Over Studies; Energy Metabolism; Humans; Interleukin-6; Lactates; Lipid Metabolism; Male; Muscle, Skeletal; Palmitates; Recombinant Proteins; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

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