Interleukin-6 and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in cerebrospinal fluid from patients with recent tonic-clonic seizures

Epilepsy Res. 2000 Oct;41(3):205-11. doi: 10.1016/s0920-1211(00)00140-6.

Abstract

We have previously reported increased concentrations of interleukin (1L)-6 in CSF from patients with tonic-clonic seizures, where increased cytokine production most likely is a consequence of neuronal epileptic activity associated with seizures. The biological effects of IL-6 are mediated by other cytokines, which are studied here in addition to IL-6. The purpose of this study was to analyze levels of soluble cytokines from plasma and CSF from patients with newly developed tonic-clonic seizures. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-1beta, tumor necrosis factor (TNFalpha) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were measured from plasma and CSF from 22 patients with newly developed tonic-clonic seizures within 24 h from the seizure and 18 controls. The mean concentrations of IL-6 were significantly increased in CSF (P<0.001) and plasma (P<0.01) after tonic-clonic seizures, there was some indication of increased concentrations of IL-1RA and no significant change in NGF, IL-1beta or TNFalpha. Our study shows that cytokine network is activated in patients after recent tonic-clonic seizures. We provide evidence of intrathecal production of IL-6 associated with electrical seizure activity.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood-Brain Barrier / physiology
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / cerebrospinal fluid*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Growth Factor / cerebrospinal fluid
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1 / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / cerebrospinal fluid

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Receptors, Interleukin-1
  • Receptors, Interleukin-6
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Nerve Growth Factor