Pathophysiological correlates of increased serum tumor necrosis factor in patients with congestive heart failure. Relation to nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in the forearm circulation.

Abstract

Increased TNF alpha concentrations are closely correlated with forearm blood flow responses to regional administration of acetylcholine and nitroglycerin. The significant correlation between serum concentrations of TNF alpha and forearm blood flow responses to acetylcholine and nitroglycerin suggests that both the inducible and the constitutive forms of nitric oxide synthase are involved in the regulation of peripheral vasomotor tone in patients with CHF.