In vivo cytokine and neuroendocrine responses to endotoxin in human immunodeficiency virus-infected subjects

The cytokine and neuroendocrine host responses to experimental challenge wi th lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were studied in human immunodeficiency virus (H IV)-infected subjects and uninfected control subjects. Elevations in circul ating concentrations of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL) -6, and IL-8 were significantly greater in HIV-infected subjects than contr ol subjects after LPS challenge. All subjects showed a significant increase in circulating concentrations of adrenocorticotropin, cortisol, and norepi nephrine after LPS challenge, but there was not a significant difference be tween the responses of these hormones in the HIV-infected and -uninfected s ubjects. Compared with the control subjects, the HIV-infected subjects had a significantly reduced IL-10 response and a reduced IL-1 receptor antagoni st re response. It is concluded that the TNF-alpha, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 c ytokine responses to LPS in vivo are disrupted in HIV subjects but that thi s is not related to disruption of the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal axis.