Comparison of circulating levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

It is known from the literature that the circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are elevated in heart failure and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC). Few convincing data are available on the production of cytokines in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). The levels of circulating IL-6, the soluble form of the IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), and TNF-alpha in 19 patients with HC, 31 patients with IDC, and 20 healthy subjects (control group) were examined and compared with their clinical parameters. The levels of TNF-alpha and circulating IL-6 proved to be elevated in the sera of patients with IDC. In contrast, the level of TNF-alpha was not elevated in HC, although the levels of IL-6 and sIL-6R were significantly higher than those in the sera of patients with IDC. Although elevated levels of IL-6 may correlate with the extent of left ventricular dysfunction in IDC, the markedly elevated IL-6 levels did not correlate with left ventricular function in HC. The markedly elevated TNF-alpha levels in IDC were associated with the elevated IL-6 levels, probably because of an inflammatory process and/or heart failure. In contrast, in HC, in which the New York Heart Association functional class was actually good, the even higher IL-6 and sIL-6R levels were not associated with a TNF-alpha elevation. In HC, the IL-6 and sIL-6R elevations were due to another mechanism, probably by way of the cardiotrophin-associated gp130 receptor. The sources of IL-6 production in HC are not clear yet.     

Polymorphisms of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 genes in Japanese patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Various cytokines play important roles in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure. TNF-alpha is one of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, and IL-10 has anti-inflammatory actions. The -308 (G / A) polymorphism of the TNF-alpha gene (TNFA1 and A2) and the single base -1082 (G / A) polymorphism of the IL-10 gene (IL-10 1*G and 1*A) have been identified as causing alterations to the in vivo production of TNF-alpha and IL-10, respectively. We examined TNF-alpha and IL-10 gene polymorphisms using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique in 48 Japanese patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. The frequency of these polymorphisms was compared with 50 healthy Japanese. The clinical courses, such as disease onset, left ventricular function, progression during the follow up period and hospitalization from congestive heart failure, were also analyzed. Serum TNF-alpha levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique in the patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy to reveal the correlation with genotypes. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy or other secondary cardiomyopathies were excluded from this study. The allele frequency of TNFA2 in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy was significantly higher than that of the healthy group (13.5% and 3.0%, respectively, p = 0.0084). There was no difference in the allele frequency of the IL-10 gene between the two groups. Polymorphism of the TNFA2 gene was not associated with the clinical course. Serum TNF-alpha levels were elevated in the patient group compared with the healthy group. There were no differences in serum TNF-alpha levels between the patients with TNFA1 and those with TNFA2. In conclusion, the TNFA2 allele may be linked to the pathogenesis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Japanese patients.     

Effects of carvedilol on plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients with ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

We prospectively investigated the effects of adding carvedilol to the standard treatment of ischemic and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), by measuring the plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Sixty patients with DCM (35 ischemic and 25 nonischemic) were divided into 2 subgroups: patients on standard therapy alone (digoxin, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and diuretics) and patients on standard therapy plus carvedilol. Study participants' serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured at the beginning and again at the end of the study. Left ventricular ejection fraction and left ventricular diastolic function were evaluated by means of radionuclide ventriculography.In ischemic patients on carvedilol, levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha dropped significantly (P= 0.028 and P=0.034, respectively). In ischemic patients on standard treatment, plasma IL-2 levels were elevated after treatment (P=0.047). No significant differences occurred in IL-6 levels, while TNF-alpha levels were elevated (P=0.008). In nonischemic patients on carvedilol, IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels dropped significantly (P=0.018 and P=0.004, respectively). The left ventricular ejection fraction increased significantly (P=0.006). In nonischemic patients on standard treatment, no significant change occurred in any value. Carvedilol suppressed the plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in both ischemic and nonischemic patients. The carvedilol effect was more pronounced in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy than in those with ischemic disease.     

Effects of amiodarone on tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in congestive heart failure secondary to ischemic or idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure and may be associated with an increase in mortality. A recent in vitro study showed that amiodarone decreases TNF-alpha production by human blood mononuclear cells in response to lipopolysaccharide. However, no previous clinical studies have determined the effect of chronic amiodarone therapy on TNF-alpha levels. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine whether amiodarone affects TNF-alpha levels in patients with ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathy. TNF-alpha levels were analyzed by an enzyme-linked immunoassay using plasma samples at baseline, 1, and 2 years of follow-up in New York Heart Association class III patients (n = 40 in each of the placebo and amiodarone groups, mean ejection fraction 0.25+/-0.09) who were randomized in the Congestive Heart Failure-Survival Trial of Antiarrhythmic Therapy, a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which the effect of amiodarone on survival was investigated. TNF-alpha levels were elevated in both groups of patients at baseline, 6.6+/-3.1 and 7.7+/-5.3 pg/ml in the amiodarone and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.3). There were no significant differences in demographic or clinical variables between the 2 groups. Amiodarone treatment was associated with a significant increase in TNF-alpha levels in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy, 12.7+/-12.5 and 6.8+/-3.7 pg/ml in the amiodarone and placebo groups, respectively (p = 0.03) at 1 year. No change in TNF-alpha levels was observed in patients with nonischemic cardiomyopathy. In contrast to the in vitro data, amiodarone treatment is associated with an increase in TNF-alpha levels in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. This increase is not associated with an adverse effect on survival.     

Transcardiac increase in tumor necrosis factor-alpha and left ventricular end-diastolic volume in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: It remains unclear whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) are secreted from the failing heart and whether there is a relationship between the transcardiac gradients of these cytokines and left ventricular (LV) remodeling. AIMS: This study evaluated the relationship between transcardiac gradients of cytokines and LV volume and function in congestive heart failure patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS AND RESULTS: We measured the plasma levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in the aortic root (Ao) and the coronary sinus (CS) in 60 patients with DCM. There was no difference in plasma IL-6 between the Ao and the CS. However, the plasma TNF-alpha level was significantly higher in the CS than that in the Ao. There was a significant correlation between the transcardiac gradient of plasma TNF-alpha and the LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVI) and LV ejection fraction. According to stepwise multivariate analyses, the transcardiac increase of TNF-alpha showed an independent and significantly positive relationship with a large LVEDVI. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that the elevated plasma TNF-alpha is partly derived from the failing heart in patients with DCM and that TNF-alpha plays a potential role in structural LV remodeling in patients with DCM.     

TNF-α和IL-6在非酒精性脂肪性肝病患者血清中的水平及意义

目的:探讨肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和白介素-6(IL-6)在非酒精性脂肪性肝病(NAFLD)患者血清中的水平及意义.方法:收集NAFLD组患者57例[包括单纯性脂肪肝21例、非酒精性脂肪性肝炎(NASH)29例肝硬化7例和正常对照组22例.采用ELISA法检测受试者血清TNF-α仅和IL-6水平.同时检查受试者体质量指数、血压、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素、血脂,用以计算胰岛素抵抗指数(HOMA-IR)和了解合并代谢综合征情况.比较各组间血清TNF-α和IL-6水平的变化,并分析TNF-α、IL-6水平与胰岛素抵抗指数和代谢综合征发生的关系.结果:单纯性脂肪肝、NASH和肝硬化组患者血清TNF-α、IL-6水平均显著高于对照组(P<0.05),其中以NASH组水平最高,且显著高于单纯性脂肪肝和肝硬化组(P<0.05).受试者血清TNF-α、IL-6水平与HOMA-IR均呈显著性正相关(r=608,0.709,均P=0.000).合并代谢综合征的NAFLD患者血清TNF-α、IL-6水平均显著高于不合并代谢综合征的患者(P<0.05).患者血清TNF-α、IL-6水平与是否合并代谢综合征呈显著性相关(r=0.409,P=0.002;r=0.552,P:0.000).结论:TNF-α、IL-6通过诱导胰岛素抵抗对NAFLD疾病的发生发展起重要作用,并有助于NAFLD患者代谢综合征的形成.     

卡维地洛治疗扩张型心肌病心力衰竭疗效观察

目的　评价第三代 β受体阻滞剂卡维地洛治疗扩张型心肌病 (DCM)心力衰竭的临床疗效。方法　 6 2例 DCM心力衰竭患者在接受常规治疗 (洋地黄、利尿剂、血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂 )病情稳定后 ,随机分为卡维地洛组和美多心安组。均从小剂量 (卡维地洛组 ,2 .5 m g bid;美多心安组 ,6 .2 5 m g bid)缓慢递增。检测治疗前后 DCM患者左心室功能和结构的变化以及血液中内皮素 - 1(ET- 1)、心钠素 (ANP)和血管紧张素 (Ang )的改变。结果　治疗 6个月后 ,两组心脏功能分级均明显改善 ,左心室射血分数 (L VEF)、短轴缩短率 (FS)、左心室射血前期与射血时间比(PEP/ L VET)、舒张早期峰值血流速度 (PFVE)、舒张早期峰值血流速度与舒张晚期峰值血流速度比 (PFVE/ PF-VA)均明显增加 ,卡维地洛组较美多心安组 L VEF增加更为明显。两组左心房内径 (L AD)、左心室收缩末期内径(L VSD)、左心室舒张末期内径 (L VDD)明显减小 ,卡维地洛组 L VSD减小较美多心安组更明显。治疗后血浆中ET- 1、ANP和 Ang 均明显降低。结论　卡维地洛和美多心安都能够改善 DCM心力衰竭患者左心室收缩和舒张功能 ,逆转左心室重构 ,卡维地洛较美多心安疗效更佳。     

Prognostic role of myocardial tumor necrosis factor-alpha and terminal complement complex expression in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), elevated plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) are associated with poor prognosis. The terminal complement complex (C5b-9) stimulates myocardial TNF-alpha expression. AIMS: To investigate whether myocardial TNF-alpha and C5b-9 expression correlate with clinical outcome in DCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: 71 patients with DCM underwent myocardial biopsy. Biopsies were analyzed for TNF-alpha, C5b-9, markers of inflammation and for viral genome. Patients were divided into three groups according to biopsy results: group A: no TNF-alpha and no C5b-9; group B: TNF-alpha or C5b-9; and group C: TNF-alpha and C5b-9. NYHA classification, ECG and echocardiography were documented. Patients received conventional treatment of heart failure and, in a few cases, additional treatment with interferon beta(1b) (virus positive) or prednisolone (inflammatory DCM). There were 13 patients (18%) in group A, 19 patients (27%) in group B, and 39 patients (55%) in group C. All groups had a similar and significant improvement in NYHA classification and echocardiographic parameters. TNF-alpha and C5b-9 did not significantly correlate with the presence of viral genome or with markers of inflammation. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha and C5b-9 are widely distributed in the myocardium of DCM patients. Neither of the antigens correlates with clinical outcome. Myocardial TNF-alpha may not be a useful prognostic marker in DCM.     

C-reactive protein co-expresses with tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the myocardium in human dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: C-reactive protein (CRP) has recently been reported to be present in cardiac tissue and to stimulate the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Cardiac expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). AIMS: To determine whether CRP co-expresses with TNF-alpha in the myocardium and to examine its association with clinical features in patients with DCM. METHODS AND RESULTS: Endomyocardial biopsy tissues were obtained from 41 DCM patients and 16 controls by right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy. Levels of CRP and TNF-alpha mRNA were measured by real-time RT-PCR. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were performed to identify the cellular sources of CRP and TNF-alpha. Both CRP and TNF-alpha mRNA were expressed in myocardium obtained from DCM patients, but not in controls. A positive correlation was found between CRP and TNF-alpha levels. CRP/TNF-alpha double staining was found to be colocalized in the cardiomyocytes of DCM patients. Both forms of mRNA were also expressed in cardiomyocytes. Both CRP and TNF-alpha mRNA levels were negatively correlated with systolic function and positively correlated with left ventricular volume in DCM patients. These mRNA levels were lower in DCM patients treated with a combination of spironolactone and either angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II type 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) than in patients not treated with these drugs. CONCLUSION: Cardiac expression of CRP with TNF-alpha may function as a proinflammatory mediator in DCM and may be related to the clinical severity of DCM. Expression of both of these proteins was decreased in DCM patients receiving spironolactone and either ACEIs or ARBs.     

Relationship between tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and oxidative stress in the failing hearts of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES

This study evaluated oxidative stress in the failing ventricle in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress appears to increase in the failing myocardium and may contribute to ventricular dysfunction in patients with DCM. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), which is expressed in the failing heart, may stimulate oxidative stress.

METHODS

We measured plasma oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using specific antibodies against oxLDL in the aortic root (AO) and the coronary sinus (CS) in control subjects (n = 8) and in 22 patients with DCM and mild congestive heart failure. We also measured the plasma levels of TNF-alpha and angiotensin II.

RESULTS

There was no difference in oxLDL between the AO and CS in control subjects. In contrast, plasma oxLDL was significantly higher in the CS than the AO in patients with DCM, suggesting that the transcardiac gradient of oxLDL reflects oxidative stress in the failing heart in these patients. Plasma TNF-alpha levels were significantly higher in the CS than the AO with a significant positive correlation of the transcardiac gradient of TNF-alpha and the transcardiac gradient of oxLDL. Moreover, a significant negative correlation existed between the transcardiac gradient of oxLDL and left ventricular ejection fraction. The transcardiac gradient of plasma oxLDL was significantly lower in 6 patients who received carvedilol than in 16 patients who did not receive carvedilol.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the transcardiac gradient of oxLDL may be a marker of oxidative stress in the heart and that left ventricular dysfunction may be partly due to the oxidative stress in patients with DCM. In addition, TNF-alpha may stimulate oxidative stress in the failing heart in patients with DCM.     

Balance between plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-10 in rheumatic mitral stenosis

The study population consisted of 16 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis undergoing percutaneous transluminal mitral valvuloplasty (group 1). The plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in the femoral vein and the right and left atria before valvuloplasty were determined by ELISA. Additionally, we measured plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha and IL-10 in the venous blood obtained from 19 control patients, including 12 healthy volunteers in sinus rhythm (group 2) and 7 patients in permanent lone atrial fibrillation (group 3). The venous plasma levels of TNF-alpha were significantly elevated in group 1 patients compared with group 2 patients (p < 0.002). Correlation analysis demonstrated that there was a significantly direct relationship between the plasma TNF-alpha and IL-10 concentrations in the left atrial, right atrial and peripheral venous blood (p < 0.008, r = 0.640; p < 0.04, r = 0.538; p< 0.03, r = 0.571, respectively). In conclusion, the plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha of patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis were significantly higher than those of healthy volunteers. In addition, there was a significantly direct relationship between the soluble TNF-alpha and IL-10 concentrations in the atrial and peripheral venous blood, indicating a balance between circulating TNF-alpha and IL-10 levels in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.     

培哚普利对急性冠状动脉综合征患者白介素-6和肿瘤坏死因子-α水平的影响

目的　观察急性冠状动脉综合征患者使用培哚普利治疗后白介素 - 6( IL- 6)和肿瘤坏死因子 ( TNF- α)水平的变化。方法　选择 10 0例诊断为不稳定型心绞痛 ( 73例 )和急性心肌梗死 ( 2 7例 )的病人分为两组 ,A组 ( 5 0例 )接受培哚普利治疗 2周 ,B组 ( 5 0例 )未接受培哚普利治疗。入院时和治疗 2周后分别检测 IL- 6和 TNF- α浓度。结果　入院时 A组 IL- 6和 TNF- α水平与 B组相比无显著性差异 ( 60 8.4± 112 .3 pg/ ml vs5 83 .1± 10 6.4pg/ m l,46.0±10 .4pg/ ml vs 44 .1± 8.8pg/ ml,P>0 .0 5 ) ,治疗两周后两组 IL - 6和 TNF-α水平均有降低 ,而 A组病人两周后 IL -6和 TNF- α水平与 B组相比有显著降低 ( 2 40 .5± 5 0 .4pg/ ml vs414.3± 98.6pg/ m l,16.2± 3 .5 pg/ m l vs3 2 .7± 6.2 pg/ ml,P<0 .0 5 )。结论　急性冠状动脉综合征患者应用培哚普利治疗后 IL - 6和 TNF-α水平降低 ,提示培哚普利可能有直接抗炎作用     

Myocardial tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in a sudden death due to dilated cardiomyopathy with endomyoelastofibrosis

During the clinical course of dilated cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, thromboembolism and sudden death are common and may occur at any stage. In patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, elevated plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha are associated with poor prognosis. In animal experiments and clinical trials, myocardial tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression correlates with increased mortality rates. A case of sudden death of a previously asymptomatic young man, having a definitive autoptic diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy with endomyoelastofibrosis, is presented. We investigated the cardiac morphology and the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in cardiac tissue specimens to elucidate the role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in this fatal case. Our results demonstrate a strong positive myocytes reaction for tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the heart specimens. The pathogenesis of the fatal event is discussed with particular reference to the histological findings and myocytes expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.     

卡维地洛与美托洛尔治疗儿童扩张型心肌病临床对比研究

目的比较卡维地洛与传统的美托洛尔治疗儿童扩张型心肌病(DCM)的疗效。方法将该院2012-09~2015-01收治的62例DCM患儿采用分层随机法分为A、B两组,每组31例。两组均常规口服地高辛、利尿剂及卡托普利。在此基础上,A组口服卡维地洛,B组口服美托洛尔,治疗6个月。超声诊断仪观察各组治疗前后左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左心室射血分数(LVEF),X线平片检查心胸比率(T/Th),电化学发光法检验N端B型脑钠肽(NT-pro BNP)的变化。结果治疗前,A组与B组的LVEDD、LVEF、T/Th、NTpro BNP指标比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗6个月后各项指标均明显改善(P0.05),A组LVEDD、NT-pro BNP改善程度优于B组(P0.05),但两组LVEF、T/Th改善程度差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论卡维地洛相对于美托洛尔在治疗儿童DCM中更有优势,尤其体现在LVEDD及NT-pro BNP指标的改善方面,值得临床推广。     

C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels in overweight and healthy adults

This study aimed to 1) compare levels of high sensitivity c-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) between overweight Thais and apparently healthy controls, and 2) investigate the association between serum hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels and other biochemical parameters. A total of 180 health-conscious adults aged 25-60 years, who resided in Bangkok, participated in this study. No significant difference was found in age and sex between the overweight subjects and controls. Serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, glucose, lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) were determined in these volunteers. The mean levels of white blood cells (WBC), uric acid, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and hs-CRP were significantly higher in the overweight subjects than those in the controls, whereas high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) values were significantly higher in the controls than the overweight subjects (p < 0.05). Hs-CRP levels were significantly positively correlated with levels of TG, BMI, WC, HC and WHR. HDL-C levels were significantly negative correlated with hs-CRP levels. In conclusion, the prevalence of elevated serum hs-CRP levels was higher in overweight subjects than controls. However, more data in larger and other population groups are needed to confirm this study.     

卡维地洛治疗扩张型心肌病心力衰竭耐受性分析

目的 :评价卡维地洛治疗国人扩张型心肌病 (DCM )心力衰竭的耐受性。方法 :对NYHAⅡ～Ⅳ级DCM患者在常规治疗 (强心、利尿、扩血管 )基础上加用卡维地洛 ,起始剂量 5mg/d ,如能耐受则逐渐滴定到最大耐受量 ,通过临床监测及调查表随访观察其不良事件。结果 :① 34例正式应用卡维地洛治疗的DCM患者至随访结束后平均卡维地洛用量为 (2 9.0 6± 6 .5 4 )mg/d ,临床疗效好 ;②卡维地洛大剂量 (≥ 35mg/d ,n =17)者舒张压、收缩压明显高于卡维地洛小剂量者 (≤ 30mg/d ,n =17) ,P <0 .0 5 ;前者年龄明显低于后者 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,但两组间心率、心功能、左室射血分数、短轴缩短率、6 0min步行距离差异无显著性意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;③不良事件共4 4次 ,主要包括 :乏力、腹胀、头昏等 ;④不良事件主要发生在 5mg/d及 10mg/d时的初始期及 30～ 4 0mg/d的耐受量期 ,与剂量无显著关系。结论 :我国DCM患者对第三代 β受体阻滞剂卡维地洛的耐受性好 ,不良事件少 ,安全性高     

充血性心衰患者TNF-α和IL-6变化及临床意义

目的探讨充血性心衰患者肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α),白细胞介素-6(IL-6)的变化及意义.方法以56例充血性心衰患者和30例健康体检者为研究对象,采用酶联免疫双抗体夹心法测定血清TNF-α、IL-6浓度,用二维心脏超声测定左室射血分数(LVEF).结果①血清IL-6、TNF-α、去甲肾上腺素(NE)在CHF各组均升高,但心功能Ⅱ级组与对照组比较差异不显著(P＞0.05);心功能Ⅲ级,Ⅳ级组IL-6、TNF-α、NE明显高于心功能Ⅱ级和对照组(P＜0.05).IL-6、TNF-α、NE与LVEF呈高度负相关(r=-0.63,P＜0.01;r=-0.54,P＜0.05;r=-0.58,P＜0.01).②随心衰程度加重,血清TNF-α、IL-6和NE浓度越高.TNF-α与NE,IL-6与NE明显正相关(r=0.57,P＜0.01;r=0.51,P＜0.05).③随心衰程度加重,血清IL-6与TNF-α浓度越高,且二者呈正相关(r=0.39,P＜0.05).结论CHF患者血清TNF-α和IL-6浓度升高,尤其中重度CHF患者更加明显,并与LVEF呈负相关,提示血清IL-6、TNF-α水平可作为CHF严重程度的判断与预后指标.