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PubMed1998

Increased circulating soluble form of Fas in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

To examine the prognostic role of the circulating soluble form of Fas (sFas), circulating sFas levels were measured in 33 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and 12 age-matched normal control subjects (NC) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Circulating sFas levels in DCM were significantly higher than those in NC (2.42+/-1.02 vs 1.66+/-0.20 ng/ml, p=0.015). Patients with DCM were stratified into 2 groups [group I (n=15): sFas > or =2.06 ng/ml; group II (n=18): sFas <2.06 ng/ml] on the basis of the mean value plus 2SD of circulating sFas level in NC. The circulating sFas level was significantly increased in relation to the severity of heart failure and correlated positively to left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in DCM. However, there were no significant differences in left ventricular dimension between the 2 groups. There were 5 deaths from worsening heart failure in group II, but there were no deaths in group I during the follow-up period. In conclusion, circulating sFas levels were increased in patients with DCM. Circulating sFas levels are increased in proportion to the severity of heart failure and may provide prognostic information independent of left ventricular geometry.

Cardiomyopathy, Dilated↗
PubMed2004

Re-circulation artefact at the carotid bulb can be differentiated from true stenosis.

Re-circulation artefact developing secondary to vortex flow at the bulb of the internal carotid artery is very difficult to distinguish from true stenotic defect on two-dimensional Fourier transformed time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (2D-FT TOF MRA). The purpose of our study is to identify appropriate distinguishing features of re-circulation artefact. We included 45 extracranial carotid arteries collected from 25 patients who underwent both 2D-FT TOF MRA and contrast medium based angiography. Review of the 45 vessels demonstrated re-circulation artefact in 21 vessels, true stenotic defect in 8 vessels, and no filling defect in 16 vessels on 2D-FT TOF MRA. We compared the findings of re-circulation artefact and true stenotic defect in 29 vessels excluding the 16 vessels without filling defect. The following were evaluated: (1) preservation of posterior wall contour; (2) marginal character of filling defect; (3) darkness of filling defect; (4) involvement of common carotid artery by filling defect; (5) size of filling defect. In four out of the five evaluated items, statistically significant difference was present between re-circulation artefact group and true stenotic defect group (p<0.01 in all four items, chi(2) analysis). Re-circulation artefact demonstrated the preservation of the posterior wall contour (19/21), ill-defined margin (19/21), less dark defect (18/21), and no involvement of the common carotid artery (19/21). On the contrary true stenotic defect demonstrated focal loss of posterior wall contour (8/8), sharp margin (8/8), dark defect (8/8), and involvement of common carotid artery (4/8). No significant difference was noted in the size of the defect between the two groups (p>0.05). The specificity of 2D-FT TOF MRA for carotid stenosis was markedly increased after application of above signs. These distinguishing signs are very helpful in differentiating re-circulation artefact from true stenotic defect.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Sleep oxygen desaturation and circulating leptin in obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is characterized by repeated oxygen desaturation. Obesity and visceral fat accumulation (VFA) are risk factors for the development of OSAHS. Circulating leptin increases in accordance with body mass index (BMI), and under experimental conditions intermittent hypoxia stimulates leptin production. METHODS: The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether hypoxemia during sleep influences the levels of circulating leptin and whether the location of body fat deposits, ie, the distribution of VFA and subcutaneous fat accumulation (SFA), affects circulating leptin levels in patients with OSAHA who are not obese. We assessed VFA and SFA by abdominal CT scan and measured circulating levels of leptin in 96 male patients with OSAHS and 52 male patients without OSAHS matched for BMI. To be matched for BMI in the two groups, patients whose BMIs were < 27 were selected for the OSAHS group. RESULTS: In the whole study group, circulating leptin levels correlated with BMI (r = 0.30), VFA (r = 0.44), SFA (r = 0.28), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) [r = 0.48], sleep mean arterial oxygen saturation (Sao(2)) [r = 0.59], and sleep lowest Sao(2) (r = 0.37). Multiple regression analysis showed that average Sao(2) (p < 0.01) and lowest Sao(2) (p = 0.03) were explanatory variables for serum leptin values, but AHI (p = 0.054), BMI (p = 0.33), VFA (p = 0.11), and SFA (p = 0.36) were not. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sleep hypoxemia may be the main determinant of circulating leptin levels, although the location of body fat deposits could contribute to the elevated circulating leptin levels in patients with OSAHS who are not obese.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1996

The effect of epidermal growth factor on circulating levels of IGF and IGF-binding proteins in adult Goettingen minipigs.

It has recently been demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) administration to neonatal rodents causes growth retardation with concomitant reductions in circulation levels of IGF-I. We describe the effects of systemic EGF administration for 4 weeks on circulating levels of IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and on thyroid hormones (tri-iodothyronine, T3; thyroxine, T4) in sexually mature pigs. Goettingen minipigs of either sex were treated with placebo (n = 5) or EGF (30 micrograms/kg per day, n = 6) s.c. for 4 weeks (in relation to an oesophageal sclerotherapy regimen). Blood samples were taken under anaesthesia before and after 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment. Circulating levels of IGF-I, insulin, glucose, T3 and T4 were analysed every week and IGFBPs every second week. IGF-I was not reduced significantly after 1 week but significantly reduced after 2 and 3 weeks of EGF treatment. A similar decline was observed for the major IGFBP, IGFBP-3, which was reduced after 2 and 4 weeks. IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4 increased throughout the treatment period (all significantly at week 4). EGF treatment induced increased circulating T3 after 2, 3 and 4 weeks of EGF treatment. In conclusion, we report that EGF treatment for 4 weeks in Goettingen minipigs reduces circulating IGF-I and IGFBP-3, increases circulating IGFBP-1, IGFBP-2 and IGFBP-4, and induces a slight hyperthyroidism as judged from increased circulating levels of T3.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Circulating alanine production and disposal in healthy subjects.

UNLABELLED: Circulating-alanine production and disposal rates were estimated in eight healthy postabsorptive subjects by means of U-14C alanine and U-14C glucose infusions. The mean circulating-alanine production rate was 368 +/- S.E.M. 28 mumol/min. -1.8(2). Approximately 50 percent of circulating-alanine carbon exchanged rapidly with that of circulating lactate. Approximately 30 per cent of circulating alanine exchanged with protein stores. Other disposal was 29 +/- 2 per cent to circulating glucose and 40 +/- 4 per cent to oxidation. CONCLUSIONS: (1) The carbon moieties of circulating alanine and lactate are freely exchangeable. (2) Assessment of the contribution of alanine to gluconeogenesis will depend on establishing the extent to which the precursor pyruvate carbon is derived from glycolysis or from proteolysis. (3) If the principal pyruvate precursor is glycolysis, then the principal specific function of the glucose-alanine cycle appears to be ammonia transport.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Kinetics of endotoxin concentration and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 activities in the systemic and portal circulation during small intestinal ischemia and reperfusion in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether small intestinal ischemia and reperfusion induces bacterial translocation and proinflammatory cytokine response in either the systemic or portal circulation in dogs. ANIMALS: 17 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: The superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was occluded for 0 (group-3 dogs), 30 (group-1 dogs), or 60 (group-2 dogs) minutes, followed by reperfusion for 180 minutes; serum lactate and endotoxin concentrations and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), and IL-6 activities in the systemic and portal circulation and intramucosal pH were measured at various time points. RESULTS: In group-2 dogs, TNFalpha activity was found to be significantly increased in the portal circulation, peaking at 60 minutes of reperfusion; TNF-alpha activity, in the systemic circulation, gradually increased from 60 minutes of reperfusion to the end of the experiment; however, the increase was not significant. In group-1 and -2 dogs, IL-6 activities significantly and gradually increased in the systemic and portal circulation during the reperfusion phase, and the magnitude of these increases was dependent on the duration of the ischemic phase. There were no significant changes in IL-1beta activity or endotoxin concentration in any dog group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of the our study indicate that intestinal ischemia and reperfusion leads to significant increases of the circulating TNF-alpha and IL-6 activities, depending on the duration of the ischemia phase, in the absence of detectable endotoxin in the circulation. This finding suggests that intestinal ischemia and reperfusion induces a systemic proinflammatory cytokine response in dogs.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

High degree of conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II in the mesenteric circulation of the isolated perfused terminal ileum of the cat.

Conversion of AI to AII has been studied in the mesenteric circulation of the isolated perfused cat terminal ileum. Infusion of AI through the mesenteric circulation induced a significantly potentiated response when the venous return was superfused over the rat colon and the rabbit aortic strip. Addition of converting-enzyme inhibitor, SQ 20881 to the perfusion medium competitively prevented the potentiation of AI on the assay organs without altering its direct effects. The percent conversion of AI to AII was found to be 68 in the mesenteric circulation. In contrast, infusion of AII through the mesenteric circulation has lost about 40% of its biological activity as measured on the same assay organs. SQ 20881 abolished the inactivation of AII in the mesenteric circulation. It is concluded that the mesenteric circulation of the isolated perfused cat terminal ileum is one of the major conversion areas of AI to AII. SQ 20881 prevented the conversion of AI to AII as well as abolishing the inhibition of AII passing through the mesenteric circulation.

Angiotensin II↗
PubMed2006

Circulating DNA level is negatively associated with the long-term survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

AIM: To quantify the circulating DNA in plasma from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to evaluate its prognostic value. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 79 patients with HCC before operation, 20 patients with liver cirrhosis, and 20 healthy volunteers. Circulating DNA was extracted from plasma and quantified. The association between circulating DNA level and prognosis of HCC patients was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy volunteers (17.6 +/- 9.5 ng/mL), a significant higher circulating DNA level was found in the patients with HCC (47.1 +/- 43.7 ng/mL, P = 0.000) or with liver cirrhosis (30.0 +/- 13.3 ng/mL, P = 0.002). The circulating DNA level was closely associated with tumor size (P = 0.008) and TNM stage (P = 0.040), negatively associated with the 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.017) and overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Large or invasive tumor may release more circulating DNA, and higher level of circulating DNA may be associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

UCLA conference. Circulating immune complexes: their immunochemistry, detection, and importance.

The size and molecular composition of circulating immune complexes depend on various factors, including the concentrations and valences of antigens and antibodies and the antigen-antibody ratio. The composition and biological properties of circulating immune complexes, in turn, influence their fate in vivo as well as the likelihood of their detection by various assays. Several assays clearly detect circulating immune complexes, but no single assay has yet been shown to be the most sensitive and the most specific for the entire spectrum of circulating immune complexes. Assays correlate poorly with each other, but this may be desirable if we are to determine which circulating immune complexes have diagnostic, prognostic, or pathogenic importance. Circulating immune complexes are found in numerous rheumatologic disorders and infectious diseases. Their presence in the circulation statistically correlates with disease activity; however, the assays currently used have limited value for diagnosing or aiding in therapeutic decisions. Nevertheless, the future holds promise for such uses.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗
PubMed1999

Posterior circulation abnormalities in moyamoya disease : a radiological study.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is an uncommon entity outside Japan. Though the clinical and radiological features are well described, involvement of the posterior circulation has not been highlighted. Out of 10 patients of MMD studied, the posterior circulation was involved in 9 (3 bilateral, 6 unilateral). The P1 segment was most commonly affected. Interestingly, no infarcts were seen in the territory of the posterior circulation in any patient. Five patients showed recent haemorrhages on scan. It was thalamic haemorrhage in four and subarachnoid in one patient. The posterior circulation is frequently involved in MMD as evident on angiography. However, ischaemic events of the posterior circulation are not frequent, as the posterior circulation acts as collateral pathway for the diseased anterior circulation till later stages of the disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

[Preparation of long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes and its pharmacokinetics].

AIM: To prepare the mitoxantrone long circulating liposomes (LCL) and to observe the residence behavior of the mitoxantrone LCL in rabbits. METHODS: The long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes were prepared by ethanol injection combined with the ammonium sulphate gradients method. Amphipathic polyethylene glycol-distearoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-DSPE) was added to modify the membrane of the liposomes. The column-switching system of RP-HPLC was utilized to determine mitoxantrone concentration in rabbit plasma. RESULTS: The mean diameter of the long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes was 60 nm, with the entrapping efficiency of 93.6%. With the same dosage (2 mg.kg-1) i.v. in rabbits, the mean residence time (MRT) of the long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes was 9.8 h, while that of the normal liposomes was 3.6 h, and the AUC of the former is 6.4 fold greater than of the latter. It showed that the long circulating mitoxantrone liposomes prolonged the resident time of the drug in the blood circulating system and they reduced the uptake by the reticuloendothelial system, simultaneously. CONCLUSION: Liposomes with high entrapping efficiency and small particle size could be prepared by ethanol injection combined with the ammonium sulphate gradients method, and the liposomes modified by PEG-DSPE could raise the AUC and prolonged the resident time of the drug in the blood circulating system.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Synthesis of a cytochrome c derivative with prolonged in vivo half-life and determination of ascorbyl radicals in the circulation of the rat.

Since cytochrome c and acetylated cytochrome c disappear from the circulation with a half-life of 4 min, these proteins cannot be used for in vivo detection of superoxide radicals and related metabolites. To determine superoxide and other radicals in vivo, a cytochrome c derivative (SMAC) was synthesized by linking 1 mol of poly(styrene-co-maleic acid) butyl ester (SM) to cytochrome c, followed by acetylation of its lysyl amino groups. SMAC retained 8 and 80% of cytochrome c activity to react with ascorbyl and superoxide radicals, respectively. However, SMAC did not serve as a substrate for cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome c oxidase. When injected intravenously to the rat, SMAC circulated bound to albumin with a half-life of 130 min. SMAC was rapidly reduced in the circulation of intact animals. Treatment of animals with paraquat markedly enhanced the reduction of the circulating SMAC. We have synthesized an SM-conjugated superoxide dismutase (SOD) derivative (SM-SOD) that circulates bound to albumin with a half-life of 6 h. Kinetic analysis revealed that SM-SOD effectively inhibited the superoxide-dependent reduction of SMAC either in the presence or absence of 0.5 mM albumin. However, the reduction of the circulating SMAC was not inhibited by SM-SOD both in normal and paraquat-treated animals. Plasma samples from both animal groups also reduced cytochrome c and SMAC by an SOD-insensitive mechanism. However, after treatment with ascorbate oxidase, both plasma samples lost their activity to reduce cytochrome c and SMAC. These and other results suggest that ascorbyl radical might principally be responsible for the reduction of circulating SMAC and that plasma levels of ascorbyl radical might increase in paraquat-treated animals.

Acetylation↗
PubMed1992

[The significance of circulating endothelial cells in type 2 diabetes].

The authors examined in 134 type 2 diabetics under the age of 60 years (mean age 54.5 years) the number of circulating endothelia. The results were compared with the number of circulating endothelia in 12 type 1 diabetics who were in a compensated state. The number of circulating endothelial increased with the degree of metabolic decompensation, the limital value of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was 12%. In patients with a lower HbA1c value the number of circulating endothelia was still at the upper range of normal values. The highest values were recorded in diabetics with ketosis. The elevated number of circulating endothelia does not depend on the duration of diabetes, on the method of treatment or the patient's age. The finding of an elevated number of circulating endothelia correlates also with a higher cholesterol and triacylglycerol level. The authors consider the raised number of circulating endothelia a marker of endothelial damage and thread of the development of macroangiopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

[The relationship between circulating endothelial progenitor cells and the risk factors of CHD as well as the severity of coronary lesions, and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the correlation between circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and the risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD) as well as the severity of coronary lesions, and its clinical significance. METHODS: 42 patients with CHD and 36 patients excluding CHD (control) were studied. Total mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation, and were cultured in M199 medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum, 50 ng/ml vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). After 14 days cultured, the numbers of colony-forming units of EPCs were counted by phase-contrast microscope. The relationship between the number of colony-forming units of EPCs and the risk factors of CHD (such as age, gender, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, smoking, positive family history of CHD) as well as the severity of coronary lesions were assessed. RESULTS: The number of risk factors of CHD was significantly correlated with a reduction of EPCs levels (r = -0.436, P = 0.014). Smoking was associated with significantly lower EPCs levels, whereas a minor but nonsignificant reduction of EPCs levels was detected in the presence of gender, hypertension, and a positive family history of CHD. It was observed that low density lipoprotein (LDL) and uric acid were negatively correlated with the number of colony-forming units of circulating EPCs (P < 0.05). A correlation existed between age, high density lipoprotein, apoprotein A and levels of circulating EPCs, however, this relation was not statistically significant. The number of colony-forming units of circulating EPCs in CHD groups was significantly lower than those in control group (12.8 +/- 6.34 versus 37.0 +/- 5.5, P < 0.001); and the circulating EPCs level of coronary artery lesion group (including single, double, triple vessels disease) was significantly lower than that of control group (P < 0. 01). CONCLUSIONS: The level of circulating EPCs was inversely associated with the risk factor scores of CHD and the severity of coronary artery lesion. These finding imply that endothelial injury in the absence of sufficient circulating EPCs may affect the degree of the heart disorder and the clinical situation.

Aged↗
PubMed2005

Circulating levels of soluble P-selectin in patients in the early and recent phases of myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Circulating soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin), a biomarker of platelet activation is substantially increased in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the circulating level of sP-selectin in patients in the early (onset of AMI > 12 h but < 7 d) or recent (onset of AMI > 8 d but < 21 d) phase after AMI remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate whether the circulating level of sP-selectin remains elevated in these two consecutive phases after an AMI. METHODS: Blood samples were collected in the catherization room before coronary angiography to assess the circulating level of sP-selectin. A total of 53 consecutive patients, 34 with early MI (group 1) and 19 with recent MI (group 2), who had had no prior thrombolytic therapy were included. Circulating levels of sP-selectin were also measured in 30 risk control (stable angina) subjects undergoing elective percutaneous coronary intervention and in 20 healthy subjects who comprised the healthy control group. RESULTS: The circulating level of sP-selectin did not differ between patients with early AMI and those with recent MI (p = 0.632). However, the plasma level of sP-selectin was significantly higher in group 1 and 2 patients than in the risk control and healthy control subjects (all p values < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating sP-selectin was elevated in patients 12 hours to 7 days after AMI and the elevation was maintained until 21 days after AMI. Therefore, investigation of longer utilization of anti-platelet and anti-inflammatory agents for patients following AMI might be worthwhile.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Concentration of soluble P-selectin and white blood cell counts in infarct coronary arteries in patients with acute myocardial infarction differ from the systemic circulation.

BACKGROUND: Previously, researchers have suggested that Soluble (s) P-selectin mediates the accumulation of leukocytes which in turn promotes fibril deposition. Soluble P-selectin and white blood cell (WBC) counts have been shown to be increased in the systemic circulation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, whether the infarct coronary artery (ICA) and systemic circulation differs with respect to the concentration of sP-selectin and WBC counts following AMI remain unknown. In this study, we investigated whether the concentration of sP-selectin and WBC counts differed between the ICA and the systemic circulation after AMI. METHODS: Blood samples for circulating sP-selectin and WBC counts were immediately obtained after vascular puncture in 72 patients with AMI of < 12 h undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Additionally, blood samples for ICA sP-selectin and WBC counts were obtained via Export Suction Catheter during PCI. For comparison, blood samples for sP-selectin and WBC counts were obtained once in 30 healthy subjects. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that the circulating sP-selectin [64.7 +/- 18.1 (ng/ml) vs. 29.5 +/- 6.3 (ng/ml), p < 0.0001] and WBC counts [12.1 +/- 3.6 (x 10(3)/ml) vs. 5.0 +/- 1.0 (x 10(3)/ml), p < 0.0001] were significantly higher in our patients than in healthy subjects. Furthermore, the sP-selectin [72.7 +/- 23.3 (ng/ml) vs. 64.7 +/- 18.1 (ng/ml), p < 0.0001] and the WBC counts [16.2 +/- 3.8 (x 10(3/)ml) vs. 12.1 +/- 3.6 (x 10(3)/ml), p < 0.0001] were markedly higher in the ICA than in the systemic circulation for the patients. CONCLUSIONS: The plasma level of sP-selectin and WBC counts were more elevated in the ICA than in the systemic circulation of patients with AMI undergoing primary PCI. These findings strengthen the role of sequestration of WBC and sP-selectin in the ICA as crucial in thrombus formation.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The relationship between the circulating concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the acute phase response to elective surgery and accidental injury.

The possible role of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF) in the regulation of the acute phase response to injury was studied in thirteen subjects undergoing elective surgery or suffering from multiple accidental injuries. The temporal changes in the circulating concentrations of these cytokines were related to the circulating acute phase protein concentrations (C-reactive protein and alpha 1 antichymotrypsin), white cell count, blood loss and duration of surgery. Circulating acute phase protein concentrations rose in all subjects during a thirty hour period following injury but none of the subjects showed a detectable rise in circulating concentrations of TNF. Peak circulating concentrations of IL-6 were detected between 4-6 hours after surgery/trauma but these showed a poor correlation with blood loss, fever, white cell count or duration of surgery. The peak concentrations of IL-6 typically occurred before the rise in circulating acute phase protein concentration. The data do not suggest a role for circulating TNF in the regulation of the acute phase response to injury. In contrast, IL-6 appears to be variably involved in the acute phase response but its precise role in mediating fever, leucocytosis and synthesis of acute phase proteins is as yet uncertain.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗
PubMed1991

Circulating interferon-alpha levels and hypertriglyceridemia in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

PURPOSE: The metabolic disturbances seen during infection are thought to be due to cytokines, modulators of the immune response. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is characterized by a high prevalence of hypertriglyceridemia and at times depletion of body cell mass (wasting). Elevated circulating levels of cytokines have also been reported in AIDS. Therefore, we determined the relationship between circulating cytokine levels and lipid levels and between circulating cytokine levels and wasting in AIDS and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Serum samples from 45 patients with AIDS, 13 subjects with evidence of HIV infection by presence of antibody but without AIDS (HIV positive), and 17 seronegative control subjects who had previously undergone body composition analysis were analyzed for triglyceride, cholesterol, interferon, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin-1 levels. Eleven subjects with AIDS or HIV infection had sequential measurements. Interferon was analyzed by bioassay with identification using specific antibodies. TNF and interleukin-1 were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Lean body mass was assessed by total body potassium. RESULTS: Serum interferon-alpha levels were significantly elevated in patients with AIDS (p less than 0.001 compared to controls), with detectable levels in 84% of AIDS patients. Interferon-alpha was not detectable in serum from controls, while three of 13 HIV-positive subjects had detectable interferon-alpha levels. There was a significant correlation between interferon-alpha levels and serum triglyceride levels in AIDS and HIV-positive patients (R = 0.446, p less than 0.002). There was no relationship between interferon-alpha and serum cholesterol levels (R = -0.039, NS). In contrast only 11% of AIDS patients had detectable circulating TNF levels; the mean value for and the prevalence of detectable serum TNF levels were not significantly different from those of control subjects. Interleukin-1 was not detected in the circulation. There was no correlation between the presence of circulating TNF and serum triglycerides. There was no relationship between circulating interferon-alpha or TNF levels and the presence of wasting as measured by total body potassium. CONCLUSION: These studies suggest that interferon-alpha, which has previously been shown to modulate lipid metabolism in vivo and in vitro, may be responsible for the hypertriglyceridemia found in AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗