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Effect of tumor necrosis factor-α on triglyceride and phospholipid content and fatty acid composition of liver and carcass in rats

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Lipids

Abstract

We have previously shown that a continuous infusion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in rats results in an increase in plasma triglyceride (TG), liver protein and DNA, and at the same time a reduction in muscle protein. However, there is no information on the associated effects of TNF-α on liver and muscle lipids. The present study, therefore, determined the effect of TNF-α on the TG and phospholipid (PL) content and their fatty acid composition, in the liver and carcass of rats and correlated with the plasma levels of insulin, corticosterone, and catecholamaines. Total parenteral nutrition that met the daily nutrient requirements was continuously infused for 10 d through a central vein catheter in two groups of rats, one receiving infused TNF-α (100 μg/kg/d) and a control group. Hepatic TG and PL, expressed either as mg/g dry weight or total organ content, were significantly increased in the TNF-α-infused group compared with controls. Livers of TNF-α infused rats contained significantly less saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids and significantly more polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of the ω3 and ω6 series than controls. The carcass, on the other hand, contained significantly more monounsaturated and significantly less polyunsaturated fatty acids of the ω6 series than controls. There were no changes in corticosterone level. Although plasma glucose levels were comparable between control and TNF-α infused rats, the latter had a marked increase in insulin levels, demonstrating insulin resistance. In addition TNF-α infused rats had raised norepinephrine levels. The fall in carcass and rise in liver TG and PL are consistent with the presence of insulin resistance and raised norepinephrine levels. However, the increase in PUFA content of the liver, especially the increase in 20∶4ω6 levels in liver PL and TG, is likely to be the effect of TNF-α and suggests increased activity of Δ5-desaturase.

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Abbreviations

FID:

flame-ionization detector

LCT:

long-chain triglycerides

PL:

phospholipids

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acids

TG:

triglycerides

TNF-α:

tumor necrosis factor-α

TPN:

total parenteral nutrition

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Medicine and Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Room #6352, Medical Sciences Building, M5S 1A8, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

    Nilima Raina, Junichi Matsui, Stephen C. Cunnane & Khursheed N. Jeejeebhoy

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  1. Nilima Raina
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  2. Junichi Matsui
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  3. Stephen C. Cunnane
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  4. Khursheed N. Jeejeebhoy
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Raina, N., Matsui, J., Cunnane, S.C. et al. Effect of tumor necrosis factor-α on triglyceride and phospholipid content and fatty acid composition of liver and carcass in rats. Lipids 30, 713–718 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02537797

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02537797

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