TNF and acute respiratory distress syndrome: Levels of inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and interleukin (IL)-1β, -6, -8, and markers of oxidation, 3-nitrotyrosine (3NT) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly elevated in the lung tissue and plasma after the repetitive lung lavage in the ARDS group compared to that in the Control (Figure 3, Table 3).