Table 1.

Effects of the cytokines TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 on endothelial function and vascular homeostasis.

Cytokine	Reported effects
Tumour necrosis factor-alpha	Endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity ↓
	Inducible nitric oxide synthase activity ↑
	Reactive oxygen species ↑
	Endothelium-dependent vasodilation ↓
	Leukocyte adhesion ↑
	Endothelial cell apoptosis ↑
	Asymmetric dimethylarginine ↑
Interleukin-1	Endothelium-dependent vasodilation ↓
	Vasoconstrictor response to pharmacological challenge ↑
	Endothelin-1 ↑
	Leukocyte adhesion ↑
	Vascular smooth muscle cell growth ↑
	Intima thickness ↑
	Arterial stiffness ↑
	Coagulation ↑
Interleukin-6	Expression of angiotensin II type-1 receptor ↑
	Endothelium-dependent vasodilation ↓
	Arterial stiffness ↑
	Oxidative stress ↑
	Thrombosis ↑

↑: Increase; ↓: decrease.