title: Free radicals and endothelial dysfunction: potential positive effects of TNF-α inhibitors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  During the last decade many new biological immune modulators have entered the market as new therapeutic principles. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is a pro-inflammatory cytokine known to a have a key role in the pathogenic mechanisms of various immune-mediated or inflammatory diseases. However, TNF-α also plays a key role in endothelial dysfunction and, thus, in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. What, then, is the potential therapeutic role of TNF-α inhibitors?
  
  
  METHODS
  We analysed the current literature concerning the administration of TNF-α inhibitors and their potential benefits upon endothelial function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TNF-α inhibitors decrease the serum levels of inflammatory markers such as TNF-α itself, CRP, IL-6, and increased the tissue expression of endothelial NO synthase and the vasodilatory response to bradykinin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  TNF-α inhibitors may change the progression of endothelial dysfunction and, thus, slow down the atherosclerotic process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Clinical Immunology Unit, University of Genova, Italy. Giuseppe.Murdaca@unige.it
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Murdaca
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Spanò
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cagnati
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Puppo
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000097:blood; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase