Review Article
Protective Effects of Methotrexate against Proatherosclerotic Cytokines: A Review of the Evidence
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 ↑ |
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↑: Increase; ↓: decrease.
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