Effect of pentoxifylline on expression of INF-αstimulated with LPS in neonatealrat cardiac myocytes

Objective: To investigate the effects of pentoxifylline on expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α) in neonatal rat cardiac myocytes stimulated with lipopolysaccharide,and to valuate the mechanism underlying pentoxifylline on the protection of rat hearts.Methods:Neonatal rats cardiomyocytes were cultured and divided into four groups as follows: control group(A group),1μg/ml pentoxifylline group(B group),10μg/ml pentoxifylline group(C group) and 100μg/ml pentoxifylline group(D group).After pretreated with pentoxifylline for 6 hours,cells were exposed to LPS(1μg/ml).RT-PCR and ELISA methods were used to detect TNF-α synthesis and TNF-α gene expression respectively.Results:TNF-α production and TNF-α mRNA expression in B、C、D group were all lower than those in control group.Pentoxifylline decreased TNF-α production in a concentration dependent manner.Conclusion:Pentoxifylline can inhibit TNF-α gene expression in cardiomyocytes stimulated with lipopolysacchride.This study may provide experimental basis for the use of pentoxifylline in the treatment of heart failure.