Elevated circulating levels of tumor necrosis factor in severe chronic heart failure

Article Abstract:

Cachexia is a general state of ill health and malnutrition. The emaciated state is common among cancer patients and patients with chronic heart failure as well. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) has been found to cause cachexia in experimental animals, and the substance is elevated in the circulation of some, but by no means all, cancer patients with cachexia. Since the cachexia of chronic heart failure is in many ways similar to that of cancer, it is interesting that previous studies have not observed the circulating levels of TNF among patients with chronic heart failure. To rectify this oversight, the levels of TNF were measured in 33 patients with chronic heart failure, 9 with chronic kidney failure, and 33 healthy age-matched controls. The results indicate that the mean TNF levels of the heart patients were elevated. However, while some patients had especially high levels, some were completely normal. A correlation was noted between the TNF level and the severity of cardiac disease and impairment of renal function. Likewise, the patients with higher TNF levels were more likely to have low body weights. Unfortunately, these measurements cannot determine if the elevated TNF is actually playing some physiological role in the disease process or is merely a side effect of other events. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Tumor necrosis factor, Heart failure, Cachexia

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The search for the ideal positive inotropic agent

Article Abstract:

The use of inotropic drugs to treat chronic heart failure is controversial. Inotropic drugs are different substances that affect the force or energy of muscular contractions. Almost 100 new inotropic drugs have been developed since the 1970s. Despite their favorable effect on heart muscle contractions, none of these drugs have consistently alleviated symptoms or increased exercise capacity. Many have shortened patients' lifespans significantly. A research study found that treatment with 120 milligrams per day of vesnarinone increased the death rate among patients with heart failure. A lower dosage slowed progression of heart failure and reduced the death rate by 62%, though it may not have been effective in alleviating the symptoms of heart failure. More information is needed to determine the role of vesnarinone in the treatment of patients with chronic heart failure.

Health aspects, Editorial, Drug therapy, Congestive heart failure, Congestive heart failure agents, Cardiotonic agents

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Anti-interleukin-12 antibody for active Crohn's disease

Article Abstract:

A double-blind, randomized study conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anti-interleukin-12 Crohn's disease is presented. The rates of remission, clinical response and adverse events were determined by using two doses and two dosing schedules and the changes in the secretion of cytokines by mononuclear cells of the colonic lamina propria (LPMCs) after anti-interleukin-12 treatment were measured.

United Kingdom, Science & research, Care and treatment, Research, Interleukin-12, Crohn's disease

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