Tumor necrosis factor and cardiac function.

The direct effect of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a product of activated macrophages, on myocardial performance was determined using an isolated papillary muscle technique and a modified Langendorff preparation. Papillary muscle was obtained from male adult rats 4-5 hours after they received either 100 ng/kg TNF (group A), or 100 micrograms/kg TNF (group B) or saline (control). Group B animals exhibited significantly greater peak tension development and velocity of contraction compared with controls (p less than 0.05). In group A animals these variables were not significantly different from those of the controls (p greater than 0.05). Electrophysiologic measurements revealed a significant decrease in resting membrane potential in both group A and group B animals compared with the controls (p less than 0.05). Whole hearts perfused with serum from animals treated with TNF 18-22 hours earlier exhibited significant impairment of contractility, decreased rate of systolic pressure development, and decreased rate of relaxation compared with the controls (p less than 0.05). Coronary flow and myocardial water content were similar for both groups of perfused hearts. These data suggest that tumor necrosis factor stimulates an early beneficial effect on myocardial function, which 18-22 hours later is associated with impairment of myocardial performance. This effect appears to be serum transferable.