Erythropoietin fails to reverse the anemia in mice continuously exposed to tumor necrosis factor-alpha in vivo.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) is a monokine produced by activated macrophages that has cytotoxic and cytostatic effects on erythroid progenitor cells. We have recently shown that Chinese hamster ovary cells transfected with the human TNF gene and which constitutively express TNF induced a hypoproliferative anemia, mild thrombocytopenia, and mild leukocytosis when injected into nude mice. We have used this murine model to determine if treatment with recombinant human erythropoietin can prevent or ameliorate the anemia seen with long-term continuous exposure to high concentrations of TNF.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha and the anemia of chronic disease: effects of chronic exposure to TNF on erythropoiesis in vivo.

The anemia of chronic disease is associated with conditions in which macrophage activation occurs. Activated marrow macrophages suppress erythropoiesis in vitro, and produce tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Therefore, we tested the effects of chronic in vivo exposure to TNF to determine if it were a candidate for a mediator of the anemia of chronic disease.

Compatibility of 5-fluorouracil and total parenteral nutrition solutions.

The physicochemical stability and availability of 0.1% 5-fluorouracil solutions in D5W and a typical total parenteral nutrition solution (hypertonic dextrose and crystalline amino acids) were studied in both glass and Viaflex delivery systems. Serial samples collected over a 48-hour period were assayed for 5-fluorouracil concentration using a high performance liquid chromatographic technique.