BACKGROUND: Experimentally induced seizures are associated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines in the nervous system. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been found after a single generalized seizure in human patients. After prolonged seizures, levels of IL-6 have been shown to be even higher compared with single seizures. In the present study, we determined the levels of proconvulsive IL-1beta and anticonvulsive IL-1ra in cerebrospinal fluid after single tonic-clonic seizures as well as after prolonged seizures. METHODS: The levels of cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found that after single seizures, a slight increase in anticonvulsive IL-1ra levels was found; however, after prolonged partial or recurrent tonic-clonic seizures, the levels of IL-1ra were significantly elevated, together with decreased IL-1beta levels. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that after severe seizures, the balance between IL-1-type cytokines is changed towards a neuroprotective and anticonvulsive direction with an overproduction of IL-1ra with respect to potentially neurotoxic IL-1beta. This reaction may serve as a defense mechanism of the nervous system against excitotoxic neuronal damage. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND: Experimentally induced seizures are associated with increased production of inflammatory cytokines in the nervous system. Elevated cerebrospinal fluid levels of cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) have been found after a single generalized seizure in humanpatients. After prolonged seizures, levels of IL-6 have been shown to be even higher compared with single seizures. In the present study, we determined the levels of proconvulsive IL-1beta and anticonvulsive IL-1ra in cerebrospinal fluid after single tonic-clonic seizures as well as after prolonged seizures. METHODS: The levels of cytokines were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: We found that after single seizures, a slight increase in anticonvulsive IL-1ra levels was found; however, after prolonged partial or recurrent tonic-clonic seizures, the levels of IL-1ra were significantly elevated, together with decreased IL-1beta levels. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that after severe seizures, the balance between IL-1-type cytokines is changed towards a neuroprotective and anticonvulsive direction with an overproduction of IL-1ra with respect to potentially neurotoxicIL-1beta. This reaction may serve as a defense mechanism of the nervous system against excitotoxic neuronal damage. Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Milan Fiala; Hripsime Avagyan; Jose Joaquin Merino; Michael Bernas; Juan Valdivia; Araceli Espinosa-Jeffrey; Marlys Witte; Martin Weinand Journal: Pathophysiology Date: 2012-03-22
Authors: John R Pollard; Ofer Eidelman; Gregory P Mueller; Clifton L Dalgard; Peter B Crino; Christopher T Anderson; Elizabeth J Brand; Evren Burakgazi; Sai K Ivaturi; Harvey B Pollard Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2013-01-03 Impact factor: 4.003