['Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) increase during an inflammatory response and have been reported to induce a negative inotropic effect on the myocardium. Alfentanil, an opioid analgesic often used in the critical care of patients with sepsis, has been shown to enhance ventricular contractility. This study characterised the effects of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta on contraction and the Ca(2+) transient and investigated whether depressed ventricular function was ameliorated by alfentanil.', 'Isolated rat ventricular myocytes were loaded with fura-2 and electrically stimulated at 1 Hz. Contraction and Ca(2+) transients were measured after 60, 120 and 180 min incubations in TNF-alpha (0.05 ng ml(-1)) and IL-1beta (2 ng ml(-1)). The effects of 10 microM alfentanil on contractility and Ca(2+) transients of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta treated cells were determined.', 'After 180 min of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta treatment, the amplitude of contraction, the Ca(2+) transient and sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+) content were significantly reduced. Alfentanil significantly increased contraction of TNF-alpha and IL-1beta treated cells via a small increase in the Ca(2+) transient and a larger increase in myofilament Ca(2+) sensitivity, effects that were not blocked by 10 microM naloxone, a broad spectrum opioid receptor antagonist.'] Are negative inotropic effects of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta ameliorated by alfentanil in rat ventricular myocytes?