TNF and endothelial dysfunction: Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) have been shown to play integral parts in systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction, while interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) have been demonstrated to contribute to vascular resistance and thrombosis [24].