Pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic elements of the neuroinflammatory response are activated in traumatic brain injury.
BACKGROUND
The inflammatory response may contribute to cerebral edema, increased intracranial pressure and cellular loss in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cytokines are biomarkers of this inflammatory response and new methods allow simultaneous measurement of multiple cytokines.


METHODS
We examined the IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12, TNFalpha, and IL-10 in arterial and jugular blood as well as cerebrospinal fluid in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.


RESULTS
Multiple cytokines, particularly pro-inflammatory cytokines, are up-regulated following TBI. Cerebrospinal fluid and arteriovenous differences of some of the cytokines suggest production within the central nervous system. Antiinflammatory cytokines are not up-regulated.


CONCLUSIONS
Cytokine up-regulation may contribute to the neuroinflammatory reaction that follows traumatic brain injury and may contribute to secondary injury.
Goodman
J C
JC
Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza MS:BCM650, Houston, TX 77030, USA. jgoodman@bcm.tmc.edu
Van
M
M
Gopinath
S P
SP
Robertson
C S
CS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000150:complications; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood* / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
D016207:Cytokines