TNF and ischemia: mRNA levels of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1α, IL-6, and TNF-α, were significantly higher in the I/R group 2 h after the reperfusion period following ischemia compared with the control group (IL-1α, p < 0.05; IL-6, p < 0.0001; TNF-α, p < 0.01).