Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta synergistically depress human myocardial function

TNF-alpha and IL-1beta separately and synergistically depress human myocardial function. Sphingosine likely participates in the TNF-alpha and IL-1beta signal leading to human myocardial functional depression. Therapeutic strategies to reduce production or signaling of either TNF-alpha or IL-1beta may limit myocardial dysfunction in sepsis.