Effect of phosphodiesterase III inhibitor on plasma concentrations of endothelin-1 and tumour necrosis factor in patients with acute heart failure

Abstract

Effects of loprinone hydrochloride on plasma ET-1 and TNF-alpha levels were assessed in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Thirty patients with AHF were divided into 2 groups and treated with loprinone hydrochloride (0.3 pg/kg/min) (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15). Twenty healthy controls were also included. Plasma ET-1 and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in the 30 AHF patients than in the healthy controls. In AHF patients, loprinone hydrochloride lowered plasma ET-1 and TNF-alpha (p < 0.01). ET-1 and TNF-alpha may play pathophysiological roles in the progression of AHF. Loprinone hydrochloride is effective in reducing plasma ET-1 and TNF-alpha levels in AHF patients.