Levels of IL-1beta and IL-1ra in cerebrospinal fluid of human patients after single and prolonged seizures.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Lehtimäki
Kai A
KA
Department of Neurosurgery, Tampere University Hospital, FI-33521 Tampere, Finland. kai.lehtimaki@pshp.fi
Keränen
Tapani
T
Palmio
Johanna
J
Peltola
Jukka
J
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000276:immunology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D053583:Interleukin-1beta / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid*; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000378:metabolism; D012008:Recurrence; D012640:Seizures / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000276:immunology
D015415:Biomarkers; D053590:Interleukin 1 Receptor Antagonist Protein; D053583:Interleukin-1beta; D009498:Neurotoxins