Tumor necrosis factor-α inhibition improves endothelial function and decreases arterial stiffness in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in a variety of biological processes including oxidative stress, has been associated with vascular dysfunction in aged and ovariectomized animals. We determined whether acute inhibition of TNF-α improves vascular endothelial function and decreases arterial stiffness in estrogen-deficient postmenopausal women.

Methods

Arterial stiffness (carotid artery compliance) and endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation [FMD]) were measured in postmenopausal women (n = 23; 57 ± 1 years, mean ± SE) before and following randomization to two days of either transdermal estradiol (0.05 mg/d, N = 12) or placebo (N = 11) alone and following a single subcutaneous injection of the TNF-α i

SUBMITTER: Moreau KL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3815590 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature