TNF and myocardial infarction: In this study, we found elevated levels of M1 macrophage-associated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) and their mRNA expression in cardiac tissues on days 7, 14 and 28 after MI surgery, along with elevated mRNA levels of the M1 macrophage marker iNOS in cardiac tissues (Figs. 5, 6).