| Immune-induced inflammation plays an important role both in aggravating and healing of post myocardial
infarction (MI) injuries. Potent anti-inflammatory and local immunomodulatory activity of infliximab has been
suggested to have modulating effects on immune responses after MI. The aim of the present study was to evaluate
the efficacy of infliximab on hemodynamic responses and myocardial injuries following isoproterenol-induced
myocardial infarction. Male Wistar rats, weighting 260 ± 20 g were assigned into ten groups (n = 6) of saline
(normal saline), infliximab (7 mg/kg), isoproterenol (100 mg/kg for two consecutive days), and isoproterenol
plus infliximab (30 min after the second injection of isoproterenol). The heart tissues and serums were analyzed
24, 48, 72, and 96 h post-MI and hemodynamic parameters, histopathological changes, malondialdehyde (MDA),
Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lactate levels were assessed in the respective
groups. Infliximab partially improved hemodynamic depression in the first days after MI, but the heart became
more suppressed later. A similar result also obtained at the MDA tissue levels but not serum levels. Antiinflammatory
effects of Infliximab may improve cardiac function and prevent heart tissue injury early after
MI; however, it can worsen the condition later by inhibiting compensatory reactions such as cardiac remodeling
and tissue repair |