Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor and amelioration of brain infarction in mice.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is expressed in the ischemic brain; however, its precise role is not fully understood. We studied the effect of the dimeric form of the type I soluble TNF receptor linked to polyethylene glycol (TNFbp) on focal cerebral ischemia in mice using a permanent middle cerebral arterial occlusion (MCAO) model. TNFbp was applied topically, intravenously, or intraperitoneally. TNFbp binds and inhibits TNF-alpha. The volume of cortical ischemic lesions was measured by means of 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride 24 h after MCAO. TNFbp produced a significant reduction in the cortical infarct volume of vehicle-treated animals (p < 0.001). The reduction in the volume of brain damage was 26% in animals that received 3 mg/kg of TNFbp topically. Further analysis of TNF-alpha inhibition following acute brain ischemia is indicated.