TNF and gout: In this study, we measured the concentrations of ox-LDL, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and the inflammatory marker hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in gout patients to better understand the roles of those cytokines in the pathogenesis of gout and their mutual relationships, and to analyze the reasons underlying the high incidence of atherosclerotic diseases in gout patients.