Starvation and infection: The role of sickness-associated anorexia in metabolic adaptation during acute infection

Abstract

Sickness-associated anorexia, the reduction in appetite seen during infection, is a widely conserved and well-recognized symptom of acute infection, yet there is very little understanding of its functional role in recovery. Anorexic sickness behaviours can be understood as an evolutionary strategy to increase tolerance to pathogen-mediated illness. In this review we explore the evidence for mechanisms and potential metabolic benefits of sickness-associated anorexia. Energy intake can impact on the immune response, control of inflammation and tissue stress, and on pathogen fitness. Fasting mediators including hormone-sensitive lipase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α) and ketone bodies are potential facilitators of infection recovery through multiple pathways including suppression of inflammation, adaptation to lipid utilising pathways, and resistance to pathogen-induced cellular stress. However, the effect and benefit of calorie restriction is highly heterogeneous depending on both the infection and the metabolic status of the host, which has implications regarding clinical recommendations for feeding during different infections.