Intra-Arterial Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Impairs Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilatation and Stimulates Local Tissue Plasminogen Activator Release in Humans

Abstract

Intra-arterial TNF-alpha causes an acute local vascular inflammation that is associated with impaired endothelium-dependent vasomotion as well as a sustained and substantial increase in endothelial t-PA release. TNF-alpha has potentially both adverse vasomotor and beneficial profibrinolytic effects on endothelial function.