title: Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-alpha by thalidomide in magnesium deficiency.
abstract: The effect of thalidomide on circulating cytokines and myocardial lesion formation was investigated in Mg-deficient rats. After two weeks on a Mg-deficient diet, rats show an increase in circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 1. Thalidomide (1 mg/day) caused a complete inhibition of the increase in circulating tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels, without having an effect on interleukin 1. However, a marked increase in cardiomyopathic lesion formation was observed in Mg-deficient animals treated with thalidomide; possible mechanisms for thalidomide's enhancement of myocardial injury are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC 20037.
authors.forename: W B
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Weglicki
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Dickens
authors.forename: I T
authors.initials: IT
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Cassidy
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Phillips
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008275:Magnesium Deficiency / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D013792:Thalidomide