The proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1 and tumor necrosis factor and treatment of the septic shock syndrome

Article Abstract:

Septic shock refers to an infection that is spread by way of the blood to many different areas of the body, causing extensive tissue damage. There are many different types of septic shock because there are many different types of bacterial infection that can cause it. In many cases, septic shock results from an abdominal or pelvic infection that spreads to other parts of the body. This type of shock results in fever, muscle weakness, tissue inflammation, low blood pressure, edema (the leakage of fluid out of blood vessels into the surrounding tissue), congestion in the lungs, blood clot formation, and impaired heart function. Bacterial infections associated with septic shock cause cells to make proteins known as cytokines. These proteins cause the inflammation and tissue damage that are associated with septic shock. Two cytokines have been identified: interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Early treatment of this life-threatening condition is critical. Current research is focusing on designing specific molecules, called antibodies, that will bind to IL-1 and TNF and, thereby, prevent these cytokines from damaging the body's tissues and organs. Studies of animal models have shown the antibodies to be effective in preventing death from septic shock in mice and rabbits. Clinical trials are being performed to test the safety and effectiveness of this type of treatment in humans with septic shock. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Bacterial infections, Septic shock

---

Effects of dietary n-3 fatty acid supplementation in men with weight loss associated with the acquired immune deficiency syndrome: relation to indices of cytokine production

Article Abstract:

Use of dietary fish oil does not appear to produce anticytokine effects that are helpful to patients suffering from AIDS-related complications. Abnormal production of cytokines, which are signalling proteins involved in immune responses, is proposed to have a role in the weight loss, or wasting, associated with AIDS. For 10 weeks, researchers administered fish oil to 16 men with AIDS wasting. Fish oil contains n-3 fatty acids, which are known to reduce cytokine production in normal human blood cells. Comparison of the fish-oil-supplemented group with a control AIDS wasting group revealed no beneficial effect of supplementation when patients developed complications. In the absence of complications, however, supplementation did seem to promote weight gain. Although measurement of cytokines in blood cells was largely unsuccessful in monitoring the cytokine activity in the patients, use of an indirect method based on fat synthesis measurements allowed sensitive monitoring.

Health aspects, Nutritional aspects, AIDS (Disease), Fish oils in human nutrition, Fish oils

---

The effect of thalidomide on the pathogenesis of human immunodeficiency virus type I and M. tuberculosis infection

Article Abstract:

Thalidomide appears to reduce HIV-1 levels in patients who also have tuberculosis infections and appears to promote weight gain in HIV-infected patients regardless of concomitant tuberculosis infection. For 21 days, researchers gave thalidomide to a total of 16 HIV-infected patients suffering from progressive weight loss, or wasting, with or without concomitant tuberculosis. Another 16 such patients received placebo. The thalidomide-treated tuberculosis patients experienced a reduction in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) levels in addition to a reduction in HIV-1 levels. Although both thalidomide-treated groups experienced significant weight gain, the tuberculosis group gained more. TNF-alpha has been shown to promote HIV-1 replication in cell culture. Production of TNF-alpha is known to be inhibited by thalidomide, and can be stimulated by tuberculosis mycobacteria in cell culture.

Evaluation, HIV infection, HIV infections, Tuberculosis, Thalidomide

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Pediatricians' knowledge and attitudes concerning diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders
• Abstracts: Measurement of cholesterol and triglyceride. Use of tumour markers in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Laboratory diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction
• Abstracts: Understanding human genetics. Charles Darwin and the foundations of clinical genetics in dentistry. Nutrients and micronutrients: progress in science-based understanding
• Abstracts: Early and prolonged decrease of viremia in HIV-1-infected patients treated with didanosine. Studies of zidovudine in combination with didanosine and zalcitabine
• Abstracts: Repeated administration of low-dose lipopolysaccharide induces preterm delivery in mice: a model for human preterm parturition and for assessment of the therapeutic ability of drugs against preterm delivery

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.