Kinetics of tumor necrosis factor alpha in plasma and the cardioprotective effect of a monoclonal antibody to tumor necrosis factor alpha in acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND

Inflammation plays a critical role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is a potent inflammatory trigger. This study was designed to examine the kinetics of TNF-alpha in plasma in patients with AMI and the potential benefit of inhibition of TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody in AMI.

METHODS AND RESULTS

TNF-alpha levels in plasma were measured in 42 patients with AMI. TNF-alpha levels were elevated at 4 hours after onset of chest pain and declined to control values at 48 hours. TNF-alpha levels were higher in patients with Killip III and IV than in those with Killip I and II (P <.01). To examine the pathogenic role of TNF-alpha, New Zealand White rabbits were treated with buffer or a TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody before left anterior descending artery (LAD) ligation. Treatment with the TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody decreased area of necrosis, number of circulating endothelial cells, and lipid peroxidation product malonaldehyde bis(dimethyl acetal). There was a significant correlation of TNF-alpha levels with peak CK-MB in AMI patients, and area of necrosis, MDA, and circulating endothelial cells in rabbits (all P <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

TNF-alpha release early in the course of AMI contributes to myocardial injury and dysfunction. Treatment with the monoclonal antibody against TNF-alpha can be cardioprotective, particularly in the setting of heart failure in patients with AMI.