Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
BACKGROUND
Activated macrophages and T lymphocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Both cell types secrete tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFalpha), which has toxic effects on myelin and endothelial cells.


METHODS
The serum concentration of TNFalpha was measured by ELISA and compared with clinical and electrophysiological profiles in 20 patients with CIDP.


RESULTS
An increased serum level of TNFalpha was detected in 5 (25%) patients and was associated with subacute progression, severe neurologic disabilities, and symmetric weakness involving proximal as well as distal muscles. TNFalpha levels increased during the active phase in this subgroup of patients. The levels of TNFalpha correlated with the severity of demyelinating conduction abnormalities in the intermediate as well as distal nerve segments, suggesting demyelination diffusely distributed along the nerves.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating TNFalpha increases during the active phase in a subgroup of CIDP patients and may play a role in the pathogenesis of demyelination and the breakdown of the blood-nerve barrier in CIDP.
Department of Neurology, Chiba University School of Medicine, Japan.
S
S
Misawa
S
S
Kuwabara
M
M
Mori
N
N
Kawaguchi
Y
Y
Yoshiyama
T
T
Hattori
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D020277:Polyradiculoneuropathy, Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis*
D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha