RANTES, MDC and SDF-1α, prevent the HIVgp120-induced food and water intake decrease in rats

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-wasting syndrome might be facilitated by the HIVgp120 affecting the immunological system. We studied the effect (subchronic administration: 5 days) of HIVgp120, and a few immune-response mediators: regulated upon activation normal T-cell expressed and presumably secreted (RANTES), stromal derived factor-1α (SDF-1α), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), and their combination, on food and water intake in rats, motor control and pain perception. Eighty male adult Wistar rats received an intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of: vehicle 5 μl/day or 0.92 nmol daily of HIVgp120IIIB, RANTES, SDF-1α, or MDC, and the combination of RANTES + HIVgp120IIIB, SDF-1α + HIVgp120IIIB, or MDC + HIVgp120IIIB. Food and water intake was measured every day during administration, and 24 and 48 h after the last administration. Rats were also weighed the first and the last day of experiment in order to detect the impact of these treatments in the body weight. HIVgp120IIIB significantly decreased food and water intake. These rats gain less weight than the control (vehicle) and chemokines-treated subjects with exception of those treated with SDF-1α that also gain less weight. In addition, HIVgp120 deteriorated motor control. HIVgp120IIIB effects on food and water intake, and motor control were prevented by these chemokines. HIVgp120 + RANTES, HIVgp120 + SDF-1α, and SDF-1α alone induced hyperalgesia. Results suggest an interaction between HIVgp120 and the chemokine system to generate the HIV-wasting syndrome, the motor abnormalities and changes in pain perception.