title: Effects of levosimendan on circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines and soluble apoptosis mediators in patients with decompensated advanced heart failure.
abstract: This randomized, placebo-controlled trial showed that levosimendan administration causes a significant reduction of circulating proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 and soluble apoptosis mediators, such as soluble Fas and Fas ligand in patients with decompensated heart failure. These immunomodulatory effects may lead to improvement of symptoms and echocardiographic markers of cardiac contractile performance in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Cardiology, Amalia Fleming Hospital, Athens, Greece. j.parissis@yahoo.com
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Parissis
authors.forename: Stamatis
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adamopoulos
authors.forename: Charalambos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Antoniades
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kostakis
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rigas
authors.forename: Stamos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kyrzopoulos
authors.forename: Efstathios
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Iliodromitis
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kremastinos
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000368:Aged; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006835:Hydrazones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077464:Simendan; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; C505661:FASLG protein, human; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D006835:Hydrazones; D015850:Interleukin-6; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D011724:Pyridazines; D000077464:Simendan