TNF and metabolic syndrome: The progression of metabolic and cellular dysfunction both systemically and locally within kidney tissue is linked to many diverse and complex pathways currently being elucidated; these include factors mentioned, and in particular the heightened production of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, -6, -8, TNFα and interferon gamma (IFNγ), oxidative stress and abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism (e.g. impaired glucose tolerance, glycemia and dyslipidemia) (see Figure 1).