A Single Intravenous sTNFR-Fc Administration at the Time of Reperfusion Limits Infarct Size—Implications in Reperfusion Strategies in Man

Background Reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium is associated with increased inflammatory processes that can exert deleterious effects and therefore contribute to cardiac dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to verify whether the administration of sTNFR-Fc, a scavenger of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α, at the time of reperfusion would protect against myocardial infarction and reduce the severity of early mechanical dysfunction. Methods Male Wistar rats were subjected to 60 min coronary occlusion followed by reperfusion. A bolus of sTNFR-Fc (10 µg/kg, i.v. ) (MI + sTNFR-Fc group) or a placebo (MI group) was injected prior to reperfusion. Cardiac geometry was assessed by echocardiography 1, 3 and 7 days after reperfusion. Eight days after reperfusion, left ventricular (LV) function was evaluated under basal conditions and during an experimental challenge of volume overload. Finally, infarct size was measured after euthanasia. Results sTNFR-Fc administration markedly reduced infarct size ( P