Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta synergistically depress human myocardial function

Freshly obtained human atrial myocardial trabeculae obtained at the time of cardiac surgery

TNF-alpha (1.25, 12.5, 125, or 250 pg/mL for 20 mins), IL-1beta (6.25, 12.5, 50, or 200 pg/mL for 20 mins), or TNF-alpha (1.25 pg/mL) plus IL-1beta (6.25 pg/mL); with or without ceramidase inhibitor N-oleoyl ethanolamine (1 microM) or NO synthase inhibitor N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine (10 microM)

Control (untreated trabeculae)

Developed force (myocardial contractility) measured for 100 mins after 20-min exposuresurrogate